Price & Value: Store Brands vs. Name Brands
I have to say that for me, what determines the buying of store or name brand are two fold:
1. I consider price – this would include any coupons that I may have that may bring the name brand down lower than the store brand based on unit size. If I don’t have a coupon, I go with the cheaper price per unit, unless number 2 factors in.
2. I consider value – If I have tried the store brand and I didn’t much like it, than I will try name brands. For instance, Bush’s baked beans are a better value than the Campbell’s cheaper baked beans, I like the taste better of bush’s beans as opposed to the cheaper brand. To me that is where there is value. However, I don’t buy Kleenex brand tissues, I prefer the Kroger store brand, they are cheaper, but they are also thicker and I go through them slower as I am not pulling out 2-3 to blow my nose like I do with the name brand.
Consumer Reports did on a study on name brand and store brand back in the summer of 2005, and found that national brands cost an average of about 25 to 50 percent more than similar-quality store brands.
The nice thing about store brands is that most stores offer a money back guarantee on their store brand items, so if after opening the crackers and taking a few bites, you seriously dislike them, you can take the package back (receipt needed in most cases) and get a full refund. Then go buy the brand that you prefer.
Though you don’t get the coupons for the store brands like you do the name brands, your savings between store and name brand is usually a difference of 15-20%.
So how do you pick a store brand:
1. Consider quality and value. Even though a national brand also makes store brands doesn’t mean the products are identical. Quality also depends on the retailer’s specifications. If a store brand wants to emphasize value, it might opt for lower-grade ingredients.
2. Know the differences within the same store brand. Most store brands come in several tiers to dispel the notion that store brands are strictly for saving money, you may find a high end priced store brand and a low end priced store brand, this could be due to the ingredients used or as a way the retailer can grab brand loyalty and have you pick up their high end price store brand
3. Try over-the-counter remedies. Store-and name-brand versions of aspirin, cold and cough remedies, antihistamines, and other such medications are likely to be even more similar than other types of products. If the active ingredient is the same in name-brand and store-brand products both must have met regulatory standards for efficacy.
Perhaps you want to know who makes what store brands, there are some ways to find out:
1. You can look on the back of the items packaging and look to see if it says the plant name, sometimes it will say ‘œpacked by’, ‘œmade by’ or ‘œmanufactured at’
2. You can look up (800-555-1212) the toll free number or email the company and ask. The toll-free number reps are usually pretty open about that, if they know.
Based on Consumer Reports study, here are a few categories and favored store brands: (of course your opinion may differ based on personal taste and your standards for the product)
CATEGORY: Cereal
HIGH-RATED STORE BRANDS: Oatmeal: Great Value (Wal-Mart) Quick Oats 100 percent Natural; America’s Choice (A&P) Instant Maple & Brown Sugar; Raisin bran: Kroger
CATEGORY: Detergent (laundry)
HIGH-RATED STORE BRANDS: For most washers: Kirkland Signature (Costco) 38722; ShopRite Free ‘˜N Clear. For high-efficiency washers: Sears Advanced Formula Plus 9669 and 9820
CATEGORY: Ice cream (chocolate)
HIGH-RATED STORE BRANDS: Prestige Premium (Winn-Dixie) (for me, I like Safeway brand safeway selection)
CATEGORY: Peanut Butter
HIGH-RATED STORE BRANDS: Creamy: Kroger; Great Value (Wal- Mart). Crunchy: America’s Choice (A&P); Kroger; Great Value (Wal- Mart)
CATEGORY: Pizza (frozen)
HIGH-RATED STORE BRANDS: Kroger Self-Rising Crust 4-cheese Pizza
Also, if you are unsure what store brands your local store carries just ask or try Wiki’s entry on store brands.
—-
Dawn C. is site owner of Frugalforlife.com where this is a repost from: Store Brands vs. Name Brands. Dawn is residing in Colorado with her spouse, Teri, of 11 years.
Photo credit: stock.xchng.
One thing we go back and forth on is peanuts…depending on sales. I use them for my trail mix. I can tell a real difference between the store brand and ones like Planters. The store brand doesn’t sort out the distasteful nuts…so every once in a while there’s a bad one. A bad nut isn’t the end of the world, but it’s not very tasty either.
But as for things like beans and rice, Giant does them quite well!
Dawn: At the deli counter, we typically always go with Ralphs (owned by Kroger) Private Selection (e.g. turkey and provolone cheese for sandwiches). It’s usually a couple of bucks cheaper than Boars Head and to us, tastes just as good. But for other things… I tend to buy brands I’ve been using for years. It’s funny, but even with toothpaste… Jeanine and I like different brands. She buys Colgate and I like Crest. Even after six years of buying both… nobody is budging on that one.
I try to buy store brands for a lot of staples: rice, milk, butter, etc. But one thing I cannot skimp on is Heinz ketchup. Nothing worse than the watery store brand – yuck! And I agree with Mrs. Micah – getting a bad peanut can leave a horrible taste for a while – I’ll stick to Planters and the like.
Even with coupons the name brands are never going to be cheaper than the store brand. But since I usually shop at Trader Joe’s, it doesn’t really matter . . . it’s all store brand.
Just found this blog–LOVIN’ it. I’m completely sold on Target’s store brands (Market Pantry and the step-up Archer Farms). Powdered creamer is my true test, there are some horrrrible creamers out there, the Market Pantry version is right up there with CoffeeMate. All MP frozen veggies have been super in selection, taste/texture and price, and frozen chicken breasts are not only cheaper but better, imho, than, say, Tyson’s. LOVIN my Target. I’d try WalMart for price, but the crowded, narrow aisles and interminable checkout lines are a complete turnoff, don’t save enough to equal out my high frustration level at the shopping experience.
Shop stores that have zavers and coupons.com
Also, you can never go wrong with Aldi. With all the savings I have accumulated by shopping at Aldi, I’ve got an amazing jock collection.