The Low Down on Generic Brands

When I was in college I was in an advertising class where my professor said generic brands were the way to go because they were the same products as name brand, only with a different label. Is it true? Yes! Some generic foods really are just a change in labels.

According to Consumer Reports, consumers saved up to 30% by buying store brands. And in a taste test study they did, “national brands won seven of the 21 matchups and store brands won three. For the rest, the store brand and name brand were of similar quality.”

Interesting huh?

Although many of us save money by couponing and buying name brands, there are groups of people that really don’t have time to clip, but still want to save money. Buying generic brands or store brands is usually the way to go. And even though you buy store brand, in most cases you are still getting quality. In fact, sometimes you are even getting a name brand product in a different label.

For example at Wal-Mart…
Great Value Bacon = Tyson’s
Great Value vegetables = Libby’s
Great Value Ice Cream = Blue Bunny

Here is my list of products I always buy in generic and can’t tell the difference.

1. Cereal. I do not have a confirmation, but the taste between generic and name brand is exact, but the cost difference is around $2-$3!

2. Baking supplies. Flour is flour is flour is flour. There isn’t much you can do to change flour, sugar, baking soda, or corn starch, so skip the name brands and buy generic or store brand.

3. Infant formula. Did you know there was an act called the Infant Formula Act that was signed some time ago requiring all producers of formula to follow certain criteria. The short of it, all formula is mostly created equal. That $30 formula will do the same job as the $15 name brand.

4. Diapers and wipes. Remember my post last week comparing the cost of wipes? Target’s store brand easily won! Personally I’ve never noticed a difference between name brand and store brand, but I know some have their loyalties.

5. Pasta. Again this is one of those foods that you really can’t change a lot so the taste remains the same between store brand or name brand.

All of this said, there are a couple of things I will not buy generic and will pay full price no matter what. I blame my mom. She raised me saying, “You never buy generic q-tips or ketchup.” Maybe it’s psychological, but you’ll never see the store brand of those two products in my house. Thanks mom!

Store brand or name brand? What do you think?