The Wall Street Journal’s SmartMoney.com has a story on which store-brand items you should avoid at the supermarket. Everyone’s opinion is going to differ, but they included paper products, cleaners, and macaroni & cheese among the items:
Nearly 40% of shoppers purchased more store-brand items over the past year, according to a new survey from research firm Accenture. Two-thirds of shoppers say half of what they buy carries a store-brand label. The main reason: the prices beat those of the big brand names. In most cases, consumers aren’t sacrificing taste, either, because the same big brand producing say, canned veggies, is also responsible for packaging the store’s line. “Quality has really gone up,” says Jill Cataldo, founder of Super Couponing workshops. Stephanie Nelson, the founder of CouponMom.com, agrees. “Some stores actually have several tiers of private labels,” including gourmet and organic products, she says.
But in some cases, consumers are better off sticking with the brand names they know and love, experts say. Those trying out store brands should “start small,” Cataldo says. “Buy one, not 12, to make sure you like it.” Here are five product categories that may warrant caution:
