When you’re walking down the supermarket aisle, the choices can be daunting. On one hand, you see well-known brands, with their eye-catching packaging and prominent commercials. On the other hand, there are store-brand items, which are often cheaper but less familiar. Choosing store brands can be a wise way to cut costs without sacrificing value.
Store brands are produced by outside manufacturers, under the store’s brand. Often, these products are very similar to name-brand versions. The main difference? Store brands don’t include expensive marketing campaigns that national brands build into their pricing.
Many people think that store brands are lower quality, but research studies have shown that customers frequently can’t distinguish between store brands and name brands. In particular when it comes to basic pantry staples like sugar, the product is practically identical.
In the case of medicines, the active ingredients are regulated and must comply with the same safety rules, so whether you’re buying name-brand pain relievers or store-brand versions, you’re receiving a similar product at a lower price.
In other categories like toiletries, it may seem more hesitant to try store brands, though you might be surprised. In case a product doesn’t meet your standards, the money saved will compensate over time. Many retailers even offer Budget-friendly shopping return policies on their private-label items, making it risk-free to try.
The key is that you can start small. Swap out a few items at first—such as baking ingredients, cleaning supplies, or snacks. Over time, you may be surprised how much you’ve saved. By being open to private labels, you’ll notice significant savings in your household budget without feeling like you’re sacrificing quality.