Aldi Puts Its Name Front and Center

Aldi is launching its biggest packaging refresh in company history. The overhaul will touch more than 90 percent of its assortment, covering over 1,600 core products and 500 seasonal items.

The redesign will put the Aldi name front and center on packaging for the first time. Core labels such as Clancy’s, Simply Nature, and Specially Selected will now feature an “ALDI Original” badge, while other items will carry the Aldi name directly on the package.

Aldi says the project has been years in the making and is driven by customer feedback. The company was recently named Vertex Awards Global Retailer of the Year for excellence in retailer-owned brand design, recognizing its work across several markets.

CEO Atty McGrath said the refresh “underscores Aldi’s commitment to a modern, streamlined shopping experience.” The redesign also supports Aldi’s sustainability goals. Since 2019, the retailer has worked toward making all exclusive packaging reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025, and says it has already reached that milestone.

Amazon Launches “Amazon Grocery”

Amazon is combining its existing private labels, Amazon Fresh and Happy Belly, into a single new master brand called Amazon Grocery. The new brand includes more than 1,000 items, most priced under five dollars, and spans the full store—from produce and dairy to snacks and pantry staples.

Amazon describes the move as a way to simplify the grocery experience for value-conscious shoppers. Jason Buechel, Amazon’s Vice President of Worldwide Grocery and CEO of Whole Foods Market, said, “We’re simplifying how customers discover and shop our private label food selection while maintaining the quality and value they expect.”

The announcement drew attention from across the retail world, and shares of several major grocers dipped slightly after the news.

Walmart Goes Clean Label

Walmart U.S. announced a major move to remove synthetic dyes and more than 30 additional ingredients from its food products. The reformulation affects Walmart’s Great Value, Marketside, Freshness Guaranteed, and Bettergoods brands.

The company says the shift is in response to customers asking for simpler, more transparent ingredients. Walmart expects to complete the transition by January 2027. According to the company, 90 percent of its current products are already free from synthetic dyes.

Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner said, “By removing synthetic dyes and other unnecessary ingredients, we’re helping families make choices they can feel good about.”

With Great Value found in nine out of ten American households, this change could push other retailers and manufacturers to follow suit.

Sam’s Club Adds Sushi to Member’s Mark

Sam’s Club is expanding its Member’s Mark brand with a new line of fresh, made-daily sushi. Trained chefs will prepare regionally inspired rolls, from jalapeño tuna in Texas to mango-forward options in Puerto Rico.

The club has also introduced the Nara Tray, a 40-piece family-size sushi assortment for about twenty-five dollars. All products meet Member’s Mark’s “Made Without” standards and contain no artificial colors, aspartame, or high fructose corn syrup.

According to Alex Hardy, Senior Director of Merchandising, “We’re delivering the freshness, flavor, and quality in sushi that members deserve every day in our clubs.”

Kroger Expands Simple Truth with Protein

Kroger has launched Simple Truth Protein, a new line of more than 80 high-protein meals, snacks, and pantry staples under its popular Simple Truth brand.

The collection includes products such as protein French toast sticks, mushroom-infused coffee, jalapeño cheddar puffs, and chicken bowls. All are free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.

Ann Reed, Kroger’s Group Vice President of Our Brands, said, “We created Simple Truth Protein to make it easier for customers to meet their protein goals without paying premium prices.”

Simple Truth, introduced in 2012, is now the largest natural and organic grocery brand in the United States and a key driver of Kroger’s private brand business.

Centric Software on Closing the “Velocity Gap”

The live stream’s featured guest was Julia Gregory of Centric Software, a leading provider of cloud-based collaboration and product development tools used by retailers and consumer goods companies worldwide.

Gregory explained that Centric’s platform gives retailers a single, shared system for managing everything from supplier relationships and quality assurance to packaging, compliance, and product data. She said the software helps companies move faster, eliminate silos, and reduce the chaos that often comes from managing dozens of spreadsheets and disconnected systems.

She described the “Velocity Gap” as the space between retailers who move fast and innovate with technology, and those who sit back and wait for suppliers to bring them ideas. “The real measure of resiliency isn’t lead time—it’s pivot time,” she said. “When the world changes, the best retailers are the ones who can adapt the fastest.”

Gregory also spoke about how new tools are helping retailers use data more effectively, making decisions in hours instead of weeks. She noted that smaller and mid-sized retailers are often the quickest to adopt these systems, using them to compete with much larger chains.

Christopher and Laraine said Centric’s approach reflects the heart of the Velocity Institute’s mission, combining speed and direction to help retailers lead with purpose.

Bold Bash

At the end of the broadcast, Christopher and Laraine invited viewers to the upcoming Velocity Bold Bash, taking place during PLMA at Joe’s Live in Rosemont, Illinois. The annual event features live music, networking, and a strong retail turnout. Attendance is free with RSVP at VelocityInstitute.org.

REGISTER TODAY!