C-Store Staples Among 2020 Product of the Year Winners
By Hannah Hammond on Feb. 10, 2020NEW YORK — Several convenience-store staples were winners of the 2020 Product of the Year Awards.
Product of the Year USA’s consumer-voted awards for product innovation are determined through a national study of 40,000 consumers conducted by Kantar, a global leader in consumer research.
The awards span 41 categories and are designed to champion brands for product quality and innovation, according to Product of the Year USA, based in New York. It selects a category winner based on the product’s function, design, packaging or ingredients.
“For Product of the Year, it’s always been about innovation, yesterday, today and tomorrow—that’s what we love, are laser-focused on and champion. Coupled with that, our unique process of polling 40,000 independent voters means shoppers, retailers and manufacturers continue to genuinely trust the seal,” said Mike Nolan, global CEO of Product of the Year Management. “2020 sees new and exciting categories added that reflect the ever-changing face of innovation in the U.S., delivering us another great set of winners.”
C-store products that are the leaders in their category include Baby Ruth, Trident Vibes and more. Private-label products from Aldi and Walgreens also fared well.
Click through to see some of this year’s winners …
Aunt Jemima Pancake on the Go
Consumers can make pancakes in a disposable cup with Aunt Jemima Pancake on the Go. The product, from Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo., lets consumers make pancakes by adding water, stirring and microwaving the pancake in a cup. It’s available in Chocolate Chip and Buttermilk & Maple flavors for $1.29.
Baby Ruth
Ferrero USA, Chicago, has improved the recipe of its classic Baby Ruth candy bar by adding dry roasted peanuts to the recipe, which includes caramel, nougat and chocolate. It also features new packaging. The candy retails for $1.39.
Rain-X Silicone Endura
Rain-X Silicone Endura from ITW Global Brands, Solon, Ohio, is a wiper blade that is made with precision-engineered silicone rubber squeegee to provide durability, according to the company. The product sells for $24.97.
cbdMD CBD PM
CBD PM, by cbdMD, Charlotte, N.C., is a blend of new and traditional sleep aids. Each bottle contains 500 milligrams of THC-free, non-GMO CBD and 150 milligrams of melatonin. The tincture sells for $44.99.
cbdMD Freeze
cbdMD Freeze uses CBD and menthol to help relieve pain. The applicator can be used to deliver targeted relief to stiff joints and muscles, according to the company. The gel formula uses aloe vera and tea tree oil to keep skin soft, and it includes the company’s THC-free and non-GMO CBD.
Nice! Premium Vanilla Latte Cold Brew
Nice! Premium Vanilla Latte Cold Brew, by Deerfield, Ill.-based Walgreens Boots Alliance, is a canned coffee made from 100% Arabica beans. The beverage is sweetened with vanilla flavor. It retails for $1.79.
Del Monte Veggieful Veggie Bowls
Walnut Creek, Calif.-based Del Monte Foods Inc.'s Veggieful Veggie Bowls, which feature a blend of veggies, whole grains and a savory sauce, can be eaten as a snack or meal. The snack comes in Roasted Red Pepper, Garlic and Herb, Southwest Style Corn and Asian Style Soy Sesame. It needs to be mixed and heated up before consumption. It sells for $2.99.
Trident Vibes
Trident Vibes, from Deerfield, Ill.-based Mondelez, comes in cubes that offer a juicy, sweet flavor with a candy-like appeal and an "effortless chew," the company said. The gum comes in Tropical Beat, Spearmint Rush and Peppermint Wave and sells for $3.79.
Alka-Seltzer Cool Action Heartburn Relief Gum
Alka-Seltzer Cool Action Heartburn Relief gum is the only antacid gum that provides fast heartburn relief, according to Bayer Consumer Health, Whippany, N.J. The product sells for $9.99.
Tide Pods 2.0
Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble’s Tide Pods 2.0 are new and improved Tide Pods laundry detergent packs that are "super concentrated," the company said. Each pod has a three-in-one laundry solution with highly concentrated detergent, stain remover and color protector. The pods sell for $9.
Carmex Comfort Care Lip Balm With Beeswax
Carmex Comfort Care With Beeswax is made with beeswax and cold-pressed antioxidant-rich fruit seed oil to lock in moisture for softer and smoother lips, according to Franklin, Wis.-based Carma Laboratories. It comes in a Peppermint flavor and is free of petroleum, parabens, minter oil and preservatives. The product sells for $11.97 for a two-pack.
Aldi Earth Grown Meatless Meatballs
Aldi’s Earth Grown Meatless Meatballs are soy-based vegan and vegetarian meal options that can be used to make a sandwich, pasta dish or salad more interesting, according to the Batavia, Ill.-based company. A bag sells for $8.97.
Nice! Premium Cashew and Macadamia Nut Blend
Walgreens’ Nice! Premium Cashew and Macadamia Nut Blend is a gluten-free snack that retails for $5.99.
Del Monte Fruit Crunch Parfait
Del Monte Fruit Crunch Parfait has a full serving of fruit in every cup and is made with nondairy coconut creme and a crunchy granola topper. The snack sells for $2.49.
Aldi Park Street Deli Snack Selects Three-Pack
Aldi’s Park Street Deli Snack Selects Three-Packs are on-the-go snacks that have 7 grams of protein per serving.
The combinations include pepper jack cheese with raisins and honey-roasted peanuts; sharp yellow cheddar cheese with cherry juice-infused dried cranberries; and salted roasted cashew splits and sharp white cheddar cheese with dried cranberries and sea-salted roasted almonds. The snack packs sell for $2.49.
BuzzTallz
BuzzTallz Classic Wine Cocktails, made by Carrollton, Texas-based BuzzBallz LLC/Southern Champion, are 13% ABV, premixed cocktails in 375-mL plastic cans. The drink comes in Lime ’Rita, Ruby Red Grapefruit, Lotta Colada, Chocolate Tease, Stiff Lemonade and Horchata. The drinks are blended with natural ingredients and premium alcohol, according to the company. They sell for $3.99 a can.
Nice! Premium Icelandic Water
Walgreen’s Nice! Premium Icelandic Water is a balanced and naturally refreshing drink, according to the company. It retails for $1.99 for a 1.5-liter bottle.
Aldi Quarter Cut Bourbon Barrel-Aged Cabernet Sauvignon
Aldi's Quarter Cut Bourbon Barrel-Aged Cabernet Sauvignon draws its flavors from charred barrels that once aged American whiskey. The wine has notes of vanilla, black cherry and dried herbs. It sells for $9.99.