Do you usually buy private labels or prefer the original brand?

I don’t know about you, but I must admit that until a couple of years ago, I avoided buying private brands in supermarkets. I was under the impression that these products were not of the same quality as the original, and that is the only reason their prices were lower. Meanwhile, I’ve learned that that is definitely not the case, and sometimes, a private label and an original brand product can have the same manufacturing.

Inflation and other factors have changed how we view grocery lists. In recent years, the monthly grocery budget has risen, prompting consumers to find ways to save money. While consumer behavior shifts constantly, one desire remains constant: saving money. It is hard to do that, especially when you have a family to feed, and cutting down on how much you buy is not an option. Buying more “store-brand” goods is the best solution in this situation.

Because of the rising interest in private labels, retailers recognized an opportunity to boost their sales and earn customer loyalty by enhancing the quality and variety of products they offer under their labels. Today, you can find much more than traditional staples under the private label. Supermarkets have extended their offerings to include health and beauty aids, and products such as diapers, soft drinks, clothing, and alcohol.

With so many options, it can be hard to identify which are store-owned labels and which are not. To make things easier, we created a list of the 8th most popular grocery stores and their private-label brands. Now, the next time you go shopping, you know what to look for!

1. ALDI Simply Nature

Aldi is a German chain recently becoming one of America’s fastest-growing retailers. Customers choose Aldi over other big retailers because of its low prices, small and easy-to-shop store, fast checkout, and good-quality produce. Aldi’s private label Simply Nature is part of this grocery chain’s success.

Simple Nature offers various products, from cereal, honey, fruit bars, and apple juice to pasta sauce, pizza, salsa, and snacks. All their products feature simple foods made with only all-natural ingredients, which are organic, non-GMO, and free of artificial preservatives. Simple Nature aims to offer healthy options at affordable prices for more than just the upper middle class who wants to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

While Simply Nature has the highest sales increase, Aldi has other popular private brands. Roughly 90% of the items in Aldi’s stores are privately owned brands. The most popular are liveGfree for gluten-free options, Baker’s Corner for baking, Fremont Fish Market for fish and seafood, Little Journey for baby products, and many more.

2. Trader Joe’s

Trader Joe’s tried a different approach to private labels. Their strategy is more than making products more affordable through cost-cutting and margin improvements. Their brand, which has the same name, is a concept of innovation, cultural transformation, and strategic planning that has redefined the grocery shopping experience.

While retailers started with successful national brands and worked backward to create cheaper versions, Trader Joe’s envisioned private brands as an opportunity to differentiate themselves through creativity, quality, and customer connection. They offer their customers the chance to be more adventurous and try unique items, especially when the price point makes experimentation affordable.

About 80% of Trader Joe’s products are private-label, and most are considered premium despite their competitive pricing. Snacks from Trader Joe’s are a must-have. They offer many healthy options in a wide variety of flavors, a nice selection of frozen fruit and veggies, and nutritious and tasty ready-to-eat frozen meals.

3. Cosco Kirkland Signature

Cosco is the perfect place to go shopping if you want to save money. I prefer to go once a month and stock up on my essentials by buying in bulk. The more you buy, the more you save. Navigating a big store like Cosco can be overwhelming. There are so many options, and you may be tempted to buy the brand that you already know and rush to the counter.

In addition to offering name-brand goods at bulk prices, Costco has its private brand, which helps you save even more. Kirkland Signature isn’t just popular because of the affordable deals. It’s a premium in-house brand with over 350 high-quality products.

If you haven’t discovered Cosco’s private brand Kirkland Signature, next time you go shopping, take a look at their dairy selection, frozen meals section, and my favorite sugar-free peanut butter.

4. Kroger Private Selection

Kroger has a collection of private brands called “Our Brands.” One of the most popular is Private Selection, which offers gourmet products at an affordable price and is more upscale than the standard Kroger brand items. My weekly must-haves include Private Selection Brown Butter Bourbon Truffle Ice Cream, known for its unique flavor combination that rarely disappoints. Also, Private Selection Croissant Bread is worth the hype.

Another popular private brand from Kroger’s is the natural and organic Simple Truth. This brand is known for its gluten-free products, including flour mixes and bread, and its health-oriented approach.
Each of Kroger’s private labels is available at any of the Kroger Company chains, such as Ralph’s, Fred Meyer, and Food 4 Less.

5. Albertsons Signature Select

Albertsons is one of the largest grocery companies in the country. Signature Select is the most popular brand in its private label lineup. This brand offers over 8,000 products, including packaged salads, pasta, canned vegetables, meat, and frozen pizza. Their selection of pasta sauces is the best. They provide the perfect solution for days when you have only 20 minutes to prepare dinner.

This chain also has an organic brand, O Organics, with over 1,000 products. The private store label is one of the nation’s most prominent brands with USDA-certified organic products.

You can also find both Signature Select and O Organics products at Safeway, Vons, and Pavilions.

6. Walmart Great Value

Walmart is known for being a convenient and economical department store. This giant sells everything. It is convenient to find clothes, electronics, and food under the same roof. But groceries make up more than half of its total sales.

Walmart offers several private-label brands across various categories: Equate for personal care, Pen+Gear for office supplies, and Parent’s Choice for baby essentials. For groceries, Great Value is the brand to look for. This private-label brand includes a variety of products, ranging from food and beverages to household items, all designed to provide high quality at affordable prices. Great Value has an excellent selection of snacks, featuring great alternatives for well-known favorites like Oreos, Hot Pockets, Nutella, and Kraft cheese.

7. Target Market Pantry

At Target, there is something for everyone, and with more than 45 privately owned brands, your savings will not suffer. Market Pantry is a 15-year-old brand from Target with more than 1,900 products across 100 categories.

Market Pantry is designed for budget-conscious shoppers and offers a wide range of staple items, including bread, milk, eggs, and more. On average, these products are up to 30 percent cheaper than their national brand counterparts, making them an attractive option for families looking to save on everyday groceries.

8. Sam’s Club Member’s Mark

Buying your groceries at Sam’s Club will not save you much time, but you will definitely save money. While buying in bulk is a good strategy, another way to save even more is to look at products from their private brand, Member’s Mark.

Member’s Mark is an efficient way to save on household products such as toilet paper, trash bags, and paper towels. It also sells cheap groceries such as coffee, maple syrup, ketchup, and canned tomatoes. Remember that everything is sold in bulk, and you will need the space to store them.

While there may be some items you’ll always stick to buying from a national name brand, whether you are trying to save money on groceries or just want to try something new, these private brands deserve your attention. Have you tried any of them? Let us know which one is your favorite.

I don’t know about you, but when I go grocery shopping, I need to organize everything to be efficient. I prepare a grocery list, take my reusable bags, follow a special order to every aisle, and organize my shopping cart. You may think I have a problem, but if you enjoy organizing, look at these Lotus Trolley Bags for Shopping Carts from Amazon.

You may also enjoy reading: 9 Ways to Save Money at The Grocery Store (for Seniors).