I never thought I’d be posting about aluminum foil. However, as I walked down the aisles of my local market, I saw the Reynolds Wrap was selling for $9.49; the house brand came in at $5.99. That’s a nearly 60% cost increase for the name brand. I had to ask why. From mainstreet.com:
By choosing store brand products from retailers such as Costco, Wal-Mart and Kroger and Winn-Dixie instead of buying national brands, you can save about 30% per week on the average shopping trip, according to the Private Label Manufacturers Association.
I’ll expose myself here. My biggest expense every month is supermarket trips. Feeding two teenagers ain’t cheap. If I can potentially knock 30% off my bill at the day’s end, that’s especially meaningful. I don’t care about the name on the box. Particularly when it comes to staples like aluminum foil, I just want to know that it will get the job done. In some cases, it may literally be the same product.
Many of the national brands actually produce store brand products, so besides the packaging, you may not even notice a difference between generics and their brand name counterparts. For example, Alcoa, the maker of Reynolds Wrap Aluminum foil, produces store brand foil. McCormick produces herbs and spices without its signature label, and Birds Eye, known for its frozen vegetables, produces a number of frozen and canned vegetable products, according to Consumer Reports.
This isn’t about my making a recommendation on the brand of aluminum foil you buy. What we’re really discussing is how to be an informed consumer. Here at Kaplifestyle, we often riff about labels on products and what they really mean. I continually advise readers to do their homework and not be led astray by clever advertising. Don’t get me wrong, if your brand tastes or performs better, by all means select it. However, too often we blindly trust in brands without good reason. Name familiarity should never be enough when it comes to our hard earned shekels.
When it comes to quality, or a product that will change our life experience, it makes sense to pony up. You may remember that I stressed buying organic here, for example. I shared that feeling good is worth the added cost, because there isn’t an area of life that has a greater impact on happiness than health. Some products, on the other hand, are no brainers. Cleaning products generally are in that category. From money.howstufffworks.com:
The majority of the cleaning products we use aren’t really that different from each other, which means — unless you really like the way something smells, or a particular product really does make your life easier — you’re better off going generic.
Remember that we never make decisions for you nor do we judge your choices. We simply encourage you to be a good detective. Information is king. Now that you have it, what will you do?
Kap
Msquared says
Costco is famous for rebranding a number of brand named products under their own label… Same exact thing, but repackaged.
That all said, I’ve tried to stop using foil (especially when cooking) as I have some concerns about the levels of aluminum that are absorbing into our foods and then consuming.
Curious to hear your thoughts there.
Side note: a future post on TEFLON Pans would be a great subject. I have some specific thoughts and research there.. Happy to share
Read you mañana.
John Beavers says
I work for Kroger Accounting Services and get a discount on all Kroger brand products so we buy mainly those. Each little penny adds up.
bill says
I was a store manager for a big pharmacy for about ten years. The most frequently asked question I heard was if the generic prescriptions were as good as the name brand. The pharmacists always said they were. Since they were considerably cheaper, I asked the pharmacist one day if we made a lot more money on the name brand. He said no way, there is much more profit for us in the generics. Makes you think…
Kelebek Beyaz says
Timely post love! Had this discussion with the little brother about generic mouthwash. I explained to him that our parents (who have since pasted away) never bought the name brand stuff ever. Everything we had was in the black and white boxes. They had 8 kids to feed-they were trying to save a buck. I don’t remember noticing a difference in my Corn flakes compared to Kellog’s to be honest. I told him to stick with the store brand mouthwash. they pretty girls who talks to won’t know it’s not Listerine 🙂
Kelebek
Paul says
This subject has been covered by Readers’ Digest and consumer-supported
sources. They often mention that most foods such as cereal, peanut butter,
cheese,etc. are just as good. (And as Bill said, they are made by the same
name-brand companies & the profit margins for the stores are higher, with
lower prices)
I also buy non-food items like toothpaste, mouthwash, disposable razors,
plastic bags, etc.
The only exception? Paper products! Napkins, paper towels & tissues aren’t
as strong or durable as the brand names according to those same sources.
(And IMO, they’re right.)
gavin says
That is Great Value add, Paul. Thanks. My wife will be pleased when I start bringing home the fancy papers for a change.
Paul says
Another thing to watch for/be aware of is that many paper products
are recycled & might contain metal. Not safe for use in microwaves!
Michelle says
I still come for the pictures. Excellent image quality on the foil
BoojieMaw says
I’m with Michelle… the lighting is breathtaking.