In a 2009 discussion on this site regarding Amazon.com's development of its own proprietary brands, one member of the RetailWire community said the e-tail giant might find it difficult to pursue own-brand groceries because it would be hard pressed to compete with:
- National CPG brands on quality;
- Discounters on prices and;
- Local markets on convenience.
Respondents to a RetailWire poll appeared to share this opinion as groceries (10 percent) fell below home and garden (31 percent), consumer electronics (26 percent), and health and beauty care (14 percent) as the categories offering Amazon the greatest opportunities for developing private labels.
Moving to present, AllThingsD has published a report suggesting Amazon is developing its own private grocery brand(s). As evidence, the site pointed to recent "Help Wanted" ads placed by the company seeking a "Senior Product Manager, Consumables Private Label" as well as the mention of Amazon launching a "Private Label Business in Consumables" in another advert for a financial analyst.
Amazon declined to comment on the AllThingsD report.