No-name is the new brand-name
By Jason Buckland, Sympatico / MSN Finance
There are few things more depressing than the contrast between name-brand grocery items and the store-brand products they usually sit next to on shelves. One is bright, familiar and welcoming, the other is usually dressed in dim, orangeish-yellow packaging that can best be described as looking like a cross between vomit and the upholstery at my nan’s house.
Yet no-name brands have been the more consumer-conscientious alternative for years, so it’s no surprise – in this economic pinch – sales are now way up compared to their big-name, higher-priced counterparts.
The Financial Post’s Drew Hasselback reports there’s a new study out of the U.S. that proves just that. Drawn from a six-week price comparison of “staple” grocery items like canned soup, cookies, dry pasta, dog food and ice cream, the data concludes sales of store-brand products are up an impressive 10% from last year. Sales of name-brand products changed only 2.4% from the year before.
We’re not exactly blowing your hair back by telling you this shift is a result of an economic nightmare we’re not quite out of, but we do wonder what this trend will mean looking forward. Besides regular shoppers being forced into bargain-hunting mode, the shift in sales is also likely due to major grocery producers scaling back their advertising.
But when things rebound – and Heinz and Quaker Oats and Nestle are all back in full marketing force – where will we go? Do we learn from the recession and carry on with our smarter shopping, or go right back to our regular visits with Toucan Sam and that creepy Hamburger Helper mitt?
It’s naïve to suggest no-name brands will out-muscle the name-brands anytime soon, but you’d have to think – after all this mess – a universal shift in shopping philosophy is now at least a possibility.
Posted by: G.W. Ross | Feb 24, 2022 9:18:32 AM
The very thought of "no name" products conjures up images of corporations pawning sub standard products with only one forum in mind, and that is to increase profits. When you consider the rash of health issues surrounding the food & meat industry you cannot help but think negatively towards a product that is ashamed of even providing itself with a name. Also, can you imagine the impact on the poor Superior court judge who may be called upon in the future to settle a class action suit against a "No Name" product. Interesting thought as I am sure there are a lot of individuals in the courts that would love to be tried as a "No Name". Get my drift?
Posted by: Dawn Foreman | Feb 24, 2022 4:11:49 PM
As a single mother I have been buying No Name generic brands since they first came out. I prefer to buy Loblaws generic No Name brand or President's Choice. I have never had a problem with Loblaws no names but I have had a problem with some of the other stores no name brands, specifically Equality from Dominion - now Metro. Loblaws stands behind it's no name products and will refund any no name product you are not satisfied with so it's like having a Loblaws name actually. My recommendation is that if you are going to go generic, and why not it saves a lot of money, shop Loblaws and buy their generics.
Posted by: Josh G | Feb 24, 2022 4:37:21 PM
If people think that they are getting better deals by buying 'no name', think again. While very often 'no name' in fact does have better prices, this is not always the case. When shopping for groceries view the price instead of the name brand and always take advantage of the free loyalty programs grocers have, because this is where you save money. Not often enough do people provide real life examples so here it is. Last night while shopping for dinner I looked at the dehydrated mashed potatoes - Betty Crocker 1.99, 'no name' brand 2.29, so I saved myself .30 cents purchasing NAME BRAND. Although this was due to the loyalty program I still saved buying name brand. Also, I needed some sandwich bags - Glad 1.84 for 100 pack, 'no name' 1.97. This purchase did not even require a loyalty card. These are just two examples I can remember from my shopping in the past two days, but often this happens. My advice, buy whatever is actually CHEAPER, not what you assume is cheaper.
On another note, the stores that own these 'no name' brands are making a killing off people that always assume 'no name' is the best price. Typically the profit margins are much higher on 'no name' than name brand. Just another thing to think about when you TRUST the 'no name' good doers.
Read prices not names people.
Posted by: BETTY BETTY | Feb 25, 2022 7:07:08 PM
WELL I BUY NO NAME BUT ALSO BUY TEN GET A 15 DOLLAR FREE PRODUCT
YOU HAVE TO SHOP AROUND AND THEN STICK TO IT
AND ONLY BUY WHAT YOU NEED
THE INGRDIENTS ARE THE VERY SAME
READ YOUR LABELS
Posted by: nameless | Mar 9, 2022 11:56:00 PM
in the old days, the no-name products were made by the same factories that made the brand name products. it was just a clever way to cover both ends of the consumer spectrum, be it the penny-pincher or the spend-thrift....