When you’re strolling down the supermarket aisle, the options can be daunting. On one hand, you see well-known brands, with their eye-catching packaging and heavy advertising. On the other hand, there are generic items, which are often cheaper but not as well-known. Choosing store brands can be a wise way to save money without losing quality.
Private label products are produced by outside manufacturers, under the store’s brand. Often, these items are almost identical to their name-brand counterparts. The main difference? Store brands don’t include the high costs of advertising that national brands build into the price.
Many people think that cheaper products are not as good, but research studies have shown that shoppers often can’t tell the difference store brands and popular website brands. In particular when it comes to basic pantry staples like canned goods, the product is practically identical.
In the case of medicines, the active ingredients are monitored 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 fraction of the cost.
In other categories like cleaners, you might feel more hesitant to try store brands, though you might be surprised. Even if a cleaner doesn’t meet your standards, the money saved can add up over time. Many retailers even provide money-back guarantees on their private-label items, making it risk-free to try.
The important thing is that you can start small. Try switching a few items at first—such as baking ingredients, household items, or basic groceries. Over time, you may be surprised how much you’ve cut from your budget. By being open to private labels, you’ll notice significant savings in your household budget without feeling like you’re sacrificing quality.