When you’re running down the supermarket aisle, the choices can be overwhelming. On one hand, you see well-known brands, with their eye-catching packaging and heavy advertising. On the other hand, there are store-brand items, which are often more affordable but not as well-known. Opting for store brands can be a wise way to cut costs without sacrificing quality.

Store brands are produced by outside manufacturers, but sold under the retailer’s name. Often, these items are very similar to their name-brand counterparts. The main difference? Store brands don’t include the high costs of advertising that name brands build into the price.

Many people assume that cheaper products are lower quality, but blind taste tests have shown that shoppers frequently can’t tell the difference store brands and name brands. Especially when it comes to basic pantry staples like salt, the product is virtually the same.

In the case of medicines, the core ingredients are monitored and must comply with the same safety rules, so whether you’re buying branded medicine or store-brand versions, you’re receiving a similar product at a fraction of the cost.

In other categories like paper goods, you might feel more hesitant to try store brands, but it’s often worth it. In case a product isn’t quite right, the savings will compensate over time. Many stores even provide return policies on store-brand products, making it risk-free to try.

The important thing is that you can start small. Swap out a few items initially—such as baking ingredients, household items, or basic groceries. Over time, you'll likely notice how much you’ve cut Private label vs national brand from your budget. By being open to private labels, you’ll notice significant savings in your grocery bill without feeling like you’re sacrificing quality.