2010 Products of the Year Announced 2010-02-03

JULIE GALLAGHER

NEW YORK — Aldi's Moser Roth chocolate, Sprite Green, Nescafe Dolce Gusto and Cesear Treats are among the 2010 Products of the Year, as voted by consumers.

The products earn the right to bear a red symbol with the message "Voted Product of the Year, Consumer Survey of Product Innovation 2010."

Winners were announced here at a dinner Tuesday hosted by "Supermarket Guru" Phil Lempert. They include: Pantene Pro-V Nature Fusion Shampoo and Conditioner; Perfect 10 hair color by Nice 'n Easy; Secret Clinical Strength Waterproof deodorant; Tide Stain Release; Resolve Deep Clean Powder for carpet care; Glade Sense & Spray air freshener; Pledge Multi Surface cleaner; Colgate Wisp disposable toothbrushes; and Afrin PureSea nasal rinse.

Products were initially nominated by their manufacturers before the field was narrowed by a panel of industry judges. Recognized brands are ultimately chosen by 60,000 Americans polled by research agency TNS. Entry in the program is free but products selected by the jury as finalists pay $25,000. Winners pay $90,000.

Drug chain Walgreens, Deerfield, Ill, will look to organizations like Product of the Year, and winning brands, to aid in rationalizing SKUs as part of its customer centric retailing initiative, Colin Watts, chief innovation officer at Walgreens and chairman of the Product of the Year award jury, told attendees. As part of its CCR plan, the chain has done things like pare nine SKUs of flashlights down to one.

"It's really going to put pressure across the board on the need to pick the best items, at the best price points and make sure we make them available at all of our shopping points across Walgreens," he said.