When you’re strolling 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 more affordable but less familiar. Choosing store brands can be a wise way to cut costs without losing quality.
Store brands are manufactured by third-party companies, but sold under the retailer’s name. Often, these products are almost identical to name-brand versions. The main difference? Private label options don’t come with the high costs of advertising that name brands build into their pricing.
Many people think that cheaper products are not as good, but blind taste tests have shown that shoppers often can’t tell the difference store brands and name brands. In particular when it comes to basic pantry staples like canned goods, the product is virtually the same.
In the case of medicines, the core ingredients are monitored and must meet the same standards, so whether you’re buying branded medicine or generic pills, you’re receiving a similar product at a lower price.
In other categories like paper goods, you might feel a bit risky to try store brands, but it’s often worth it. In case a cleaner isn’t quite right, the money here saved will compensate over time. Many stores even offer return policies on store-brand products, eliminating the risk to try.
The key is that you don’t have to go all-in at once. Try switching a few items at first—such as baking ingredients, cleaning supplies, or snacks. Over time, you'll likely notice how much you’ve saved. By being open to private labels, you’ll notice significant savings in your household budget without missing out on the quality you expect.