Sixty people representing 35 suppliers attended the conference, including the first 7-Eleven private-label supplier of food for the company Barrel of Fun, [image-nocss] which provides bagged chips for 7-Eleven stores' 7-Select brand.
"We had 100% participation from every supplier we invited," said Tom Gerrity, 7-Eleven senior product director recently promoted to oversee the company's private-label program. 7-Eleven president and CEO Joe DePinto kicked off the meeting to demonstrate the company's commitment to growing its private-label and proprietary brands.
"Our suppliers told us they've never had this kind of business relationship and really believe 7-Eleven wants a true partnership with them," Gerrity said. "They are committed to grow with us, assist in bringing more new and innovative products to the market and help us find ways to raise consumer awareness about the 7-Select brand. Suppliers and 7-Eleven are focused on driving out costs to help franchisees maximize their gross profits."
Gerrity said there are plans to meet more frequently with suppliers as a group. Also, 7-Eleven will develop opportunities to engage franchisees, have them sample products and provide feedback for what would work best in stores.
By yearend, 7-Eleven will roll out 265 SKUs in U.S. stores. In 2010, the company expects to build a selection of 300 SKUs, with some national products becoming regional items. This December, private-label frozen foods will be available in all U.S. 7-Eleven stores. 7-Select frozen items will include whole pizzas and mozzarella cheese stick appetizers. In Canada, the private-label program will start with nonfoods offerings in January, when customers can purchase 7-Select paper goods, office supplies, automotive and personal care items.
As reported in CSP Daily News last week, to complement its steadily growing line of 7-Select private-label products, as well as the fresh-baked-daily items in its bakery case, 7-Eleven is adding 15 packaged bakery itemssnack cakes and pies, as well as mini-doughnuts and breakfast pastriesunder the company's private-label brand. (Click here for previous coverage.)Dallas-based 7 Eleven operates, franchises or licenses approximately 7,850 7-Eleven stores in North America. Globally, 7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses more than 36,600 stores in 15 countries. During 2008, 7-Eleven stores worldwide generated total sales of more than $53.7 billion.
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