DESPAR Italy were delighted when some of their own brands made it to the finals of the inaugural edition of the European Private Label Awards, which sought to identify the most innovative products in the European retail industry.

Three DESPAR products were nominated as award finalists:

• – For the Ambient Grocery category: Tuscan Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Premium Line)
• – For the Confectionery & Snacks category: Hazelnut Spread (Premium Line)
• – For the Dairy Products category: The lactose-free Burrata (creamy mozzarella) from the Free From range

Stephen Wynne-Jones, Director of European Supermarket Magazine (ESM) which has launched this initiative said: “The competition on the shelves of European supermarkets has never been so fierce and, as the European Private Label Awards reveals, the level of innovation in the private label sector is rapidly approaching that of big A brands.”

The 30 finalists that qualified in 12 categories were products from 11 countries. The Awards jury was composed of renowned private label experts, product designers, industry analysts, Private Label IPLC partners, as well as a prestigious team of chefs, sous chefs and head chefs.

The assessment criteria with which the jury selected the finalists included: innovation in terms of differentiation from other products, and the approach on the shelf in terms of packaging and taste.

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About DESPAR Italy

SPAR International first granted a SPAR Brand licence to DESPAR Italy in 1959. The first store opened in the latter part of 1960 and with it, SPAR became the first partnership of retailers and wholesalers to operate in Italy. DESPAR Italy licenses regional partners, all of whom work together to grow the brand across the country.