Doesn’t It All Taste the Same?

Most people on a budget aren’t too proud to buy the store brand at the grocery store. So how much cheaper are store brands compared to brand name foods? I visited several local grocery stores to find out. I’ll give you a hint…by a landslide, the store brands turned out to be much cheaper.

According to the Associated Press, bargain-savvy shoppers are increasingly trying store brands to help cut their spending. In fact, major U.S. grocery chains report the sales of their store brand items have jumped tremendously. Kroger Co. said its Private Selection brand will reach $1 billion in annual sales this year.

What’s the secret behind their success? Leading retail chains have improved store brand quality and dramatically expanded their product lines. For instance, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has unveiled new ice cream flavors such as blueberry pomegranate.

Here’s what I found during my shopping trip:

French Style Green Beans

Kroger

Kroger Store Brand: 58 cents for 14.25 oz. can (sale price)

Del Monte: 86 cents for 14.5 oz. can

Green Giant: $1.29 for 14.5 oz. can

Publix

Publix Store Brand: 79 cents for 14.5 oz. can

Del Monte: $1.09 for 14.5 oz. can

Green Giant: $1.29 for 14.5 oz. can

Food Lion

Food Lion Store Brand: 64 cents for 14.5 oz. can

Del Monte: 79 cents for 14.5 oz. can (sale price, regular price: 94 cents)

Green Giant: 95 cents for 14.5 oz. can

Bi-Lo

Bi-Lo Store Brand: 50 cents (regular price) for 14.5 oz. can

Del Monte: $1.20 for 14.5 oz. can

Green Giant: $1.09 for 14.5 oz. can

Cream Style Sweet Corn

Kroger

Kroger Store Brand: 58 cents for 14.75 oz. can (sale price)

Del Monte: 86 cents for 14.75 oz. can

Green Giant: $1.29 for 14.75 oz. can

Publix

Publix Store Brand: 79 cents for 14.75 oz. can

Del Monte: $1.09 for 14.75 oz. can

Green Giant: $1.29 for 14.75 oz. can

Food Lion

Food Lion Store Brand: 64 cents for 14.75 oz. can

Del Monte: 79 cents for 14.5 oz. can (sale price, regular price: 94 cents)

Green Giant: $1.09 for 14.75 oz. can

Bi-Lo

Bi-Lo Store Brand: 50 cents (regular price) for 14.75 oz. can

Del Monte: $1.20 for 14.75 oz. can

Green Giant: $1.09 for 14.75 oz. can

By the way, here are some other deals I found during my weekend shopping spree:

Kroger is having a 58-cent sale. Many Kroger store brand items are 58 cents each including its canned vegetables and soups, drinking water, and macaroni and cheese. Dannon Yogurt is also 58 cents each. The sale ends Saturday, August 9.

Publix is also having a Buy 1, Get 1 Free sale on a variety of items including General Mills Cheerios Cereal, Chef Boyardee canned goods, Publix Salad Blend and Kraft Mayo Real Mayonnaise. The sale ends Tuesday, August 5.

What’s your opinion?

What do you think about store brands? Do you buy them often? Do you like some items even more than brand names or do you refuse to touch them with a ten-foot pole? Write in and tell me your thoughts.