(PCM) Need to lower your grocery bills? Switch to the store brand! A recent study found that people who switch to store brands could slash 36 percent from their grocery bill. That’s a lot of savings.
The study conducted by the Private Label Manufacturers Association tracked pricing for 30 grocery items over a four-week period at a conventional supermarket, looking at a range of basic food items that the average family might buy in the summer, like hot dogs, American cheese, BBQ sauce, and freezer pops, in addition to non-food items including sunscreen, charcoal, and aluminum foil.
They found that on average, consumers who choose the retailer’s brand could save, on average, nearly $40 per shopping trip, or 36 percent. According to PR Newswire, the cost savings ranged as high as 62% for hot dog and hamburger buns, 52% for soda pop, 49% for potato chips, and 42% for ice cream. Savings, on average, for non-foods categories were led by aspirin (the store brand version cost a full 68% less), facial tissue (54% less), plastic cups (49% less), anti-itch cream (41% less) and sunscreen (40% less).
Store brands are increasing in sales and customer satisfaction, so if it’s been a while since you bought the store-brand, give it another shot! If you have a family favorite of something, like Heinz Ketchup or a certain BBQ sauce, stick with it; you don’t have to buy everything in the store-brand. However, hamburger buns, sour cream, popsicles, and non-food items, might be wise to take another look at.
