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In this article we survey the economic literature on private labels (PLs). The first section looks at PL growth. We analyze the causes of private-label introduction by retailers and its impact on manufacturers and consumers. We compare our conclusions with the findings of empirical studies. The third section discusses PL positioning. The fourth section examines the link between PLs and retailers’ loyalty programs. The fifth section addresses the issues for manufacturers resulting from PL introduction. We conclude with some thoughts on PLs and their impact on social welfare.