Store Brand Vs Name Brand

The battle between store brand and name brand products has been waging for years.  On one side are the proponents of name brand who profess name brand products are superior in quality to store brand versions (i.e. Starbucks coffee is worth the price).  On the other side are consumers who claim the only difference between the two is the price.  Who is right?

When it comes to buying store brand versus name brand the answer is not quite cut and dry.  Before you draw the line in the sand and buy only one or the other, it is important to know how to save money without sacrificing quality.  Here we take a closer look at store brand products versus name brand to see which is the better buy.

Quality Counts

Before debating what brand is best, consider the fact that not all store versus brand comparisons are the same.  For example, certain products on the counter have the exact same ingredients regardless of the price or packaging.  Most store brand over-the-counter medicine is exactly the same as the name brand counterpart.  If you compare the active ingredients in the two you often find the only difference is in price.  Other products like baby formula are closely regulated and have to meet strict standards for both store or name brand.  Conversely some store brand products are not equal to name brand products; if you have ever skimped on toilet tissue or paper towels you probably noticed store brand doesn’t always hold up.

One further point to consider:  sometimes you can get name-brand products for close to store-brand price through off-price retailers (more true of household items and the like than groceries, though).

Pretty Packaging Sells

It is not uncommon for a consumer to compare name brand versus store brand and make their decision based on an emotional reaction.  Bright colors and familiar logos inspire confidence and trust, often being the deciding factor in which product is selected.  This is why marketing plays a key role in what products we choose.

See this list of 6 things that are made more expensive solely due to marketing and packaging.

Cost Comparison

There is no question which brand is more affordable.  Consumers will pay more money for a name brand product regardless of the quality.  One thing to consider however is the fact that some store brand products will not last as long or perform as well as their better known counterparts.  This may result in more money spend on replacement products that would have been unnecessary had the original product held up better.

Purpose

Before deciding on store brand or name brand consider the purpose of the product you are buying.  Store brand condensed soup may not be as good as the name brand, however if you are adding it to a casserole no one will know the difference.  There are certain times when the cheaper version will still meet your needs based on the purpose.

As you can see there isn’t one single factor determining whether one brand product is better than the other.  To save money without sacrificing quality you must learn how to compare the two brands without labeling either one as better.  There is no rule stating you have to buy all store brand or shop exclusively name brand.  Base your decision on personal preference and quality of the products versus the name on the package.