Switching to store-brand products can save you big bucks—up to 25%-60%, depending on the item. Consumer Reports compared 19 store-brand and name-brand products to determine whether store brands can deliver similar or better taste and value. Here’s what we found:
Key Findings
- Cost Savings: Store brands typically cost 25% less than name brands, with some items (like ice cream) offering 60% savings.
- Taste:
- Tied in 10 cases
- Name brands won 8 times
- Store brands won once
- Overall Satisfaction:
- 72% of surveyed shoppers buy store brands regularly.
- 74% are highly satisfied with store-brand quality.
Best Performers
Store-Brand Winner
- Chicken Broth:
- Giant Eagle (52¢ per serving): Mild and simple.
- Beats Swanson (66¢ per serving): Processed taste and off-flavors.
Name-Brand Winners
Baked Beans: Bush’s (56¢) > Food Lion (37¢)—superior molasses and smoky flavor.
Ice Cream: Ben & Jerry’s ($1.12) > Kroger (45¢)—more flavorful dough chunks and better chocolate chips.
Orange Juice: Tropicana (60¢) > Walgreens’ Nice (28¢)—fresher orange taste.
Oatmeal: Quaker (16¢) > Publix (11¢)—clean and nutty flavors.
Toss-Ups
Both store-brand and name-brand versions offered comparable quality but varied in taste profiles.
- Cheese Crackers: Sunshine (38¢) had a sour-dairy flavor; Dollar General (19¢) was saltier and toastier.
- Peanut Butter: Skippy (20¢) was sweeter; Wegmans (15¢) tasted more roasted.
- Greek Yogurt: Winn-Dixie ($1.09) was sweeter; Chobani ($1.31) had richer dairy flavors.
Why Store Brands Are Gaining Popularity
Wider Range of Products: Store brands are expanding into premium and organic categories. Examples:
- Costco’s Kirkland Signature line.
- Publix’s organic options.
Economic Appeal: Lower prices attract shoppers during economic downturns.
Improved Quality: Many store brands are made by national manufacturers to meet specific standards.
Shopping Tips
- Taste-Test First: Start with staple items like bread, peanut butter, and yogurt to see if you notice a difference.
- Check for Savings: Store-brand products often deliver comparable quality at a fraction of the price.
- Consider Premium Store Brands: Look for private labels offering organic or gourmet options.
Bottom Line
Store brands often match the quality of name brands and save you money. While name brands may win in some cases, store brands are a reliable, cost-effective choice for many grocery items. Give them a try—your wallet and taste buds may thank you!
Next: Read 2500+ consumer guides to shopping, electronics, appliances, home services, cars, money and more.
Key Point: Store-brand products often rival name-brand counterparts in taste and quality while offering significant savings—up to 60%!
1 Key Findings
- Savings: Store brands cost 25% less on average.
- Savings ranged from 5% (lasagna) to 60% (ice cream).
- Taste:
- 10 ties: Similar taste/quality.
- 8 wins: Name brands.
- 1 win: Store brand.
2 Consumer Preferences
- Popularity: 72% of surveyed shoppers bought store brands, with 74% satisfied.
- Perception:
- 78%: Store brands are equal to name brands.
- 18%: Store brands are worse.
- 3%: Store brands are better.
3 Store-Brand Winners
- Giant Eagle Chicken Broth: Beat Swanson’s with a milder, roasted flavor.
- Best Value: Store brands offer exceptional affordability with comparable quality.
4 Name-Brand Winners
Name brands excelled in certain categories, including:
- Ice Cream: Ben & Jerry’s trounced Kroger's version.
- Orange Juice: Tropicana outperformed Walgreens’ Nice with fresher flavor.
- Soymilk: Soy Dream beat Price Chopper’s for taste and consistency.
5 Toss-Ups: Comparable Taste
- Peanut Butter: Skippy (slightly sweeter) vs. Wegmans (roasted flavor).
- Greek Yogurt: Winn-Dixie (sweeter) vs. Chobani.
- Cheese Crackers: Sunshine vs. Dollar General—both tasty but distinct.
6 Insights into Store Brands
- Produced by Big Names: Brands like Hormel, McCain, and Reynolds manufacture many store-label products.
- Evolving Offerings: Retailers now offer premium lines (e.g., organic foods, gourmet items) to appeal to a broader audience.
7 Best Practices for Shoppers
- Savings Potential: Switching to store brands can cut grocery bills dramatically.
- Try Before Judging: Many store brands match name brands in quality and taste.
Bottom Line: Store brands are often just as good as their pricier name-brand counterparts—great for your wallet and worth a try!
Next: Read 2500+ consumer guides to shopping, electronics, appliances, home services, cars, money and more.
