Shoppers Choose Store Brands To Save Money
Expert Says Comparison Shopping Can Pay Off
Posted: 9:00 pm CDT March 18, 2009
MADISON, Wis. -- Consumer Reports said the average household spends more than $4,000 a year on groceries and said its poll shows an increase in the number of shoppers trying to cut back on their budget by turning to store brands.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportFor example, WISC-TV found a "name-brand" bottle of Purell hand sanitizer that costs $3.19, while a Roundy's brand bottle of the same size with the same ingredients costs $2.65 -- a difference of 54 cents.One local family said it is choosing to cut costs by choosing store brands over name-brand products.Carrie Stahl, a Middleton mother of two, said she uses store brands in more of her recipes."There are a few things I have to buy name brands. Otherwise, I don't find any difference between them and the regular brand -- except the price," Stahl said.Edgewood College accounting professor Ken Macur said comparison shopping is where consumers will cut their costs. He said customers typically find name brands at eye level, so they might need to search the shelves for generic deals."The stigma is what we make of it. Saving money isn't a bad thing. Spending less isn't a bad thing," Macur said. "(I could save) 5 cents on a can of tomato sauce. But when I add up all those 5 cents or buy in bulk, then I'm saving 10 to 15 percent on my grocery bill, perhaps every week."Stahl said the savings are worth it since said the taste isn't really different."Generics are so much cheaper," Stahl said. "I try it. If I don't like it, I don't buy store brand again. At least try it and save some money."WISC-TV also did a price comparison for name and store brand apple juice, milk, cereal and string cheese.WISC-TV found that Motts juice ($3.15), Kellogg's Raisin Bran ($3.65) with Dean's milk ($1.79) and Sargento string cheese ($4.69) added up to a total of $13.28.WISC-TV found that the same products from a store brand -- in this case, Roundy's -- added up to a total of $9.57, a difference of almost $4.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportFor example, WISC-TV found a "name-brand" bottle of Purell hand sanitizer that costs $3.19, while a Roundy's brand bottle of the same size with the same ingredients costs $2.65 -- a difference of 54 cents.One local family said it is choosing to cut costs by choosing store brands over name-brand products.Carrie Stahl, a Middleton mother of two, said she uses store brands in more of her recipes."There are a few things I have to buy name brands. Otherwise, I don't find any difference between them and the regular brand -- except the price," Stahl said.Edgewood College accounting professor Ken Macur said comparison shopping is where consumers will cut their costs. He said customers typically find name brands at eye level, so they might need to search the shelves for generic deals."The stigma is what we make of it. Saving money isn't a bad thing. Spending less isn't a bad thing," Macur said. "(I could save) 5 cents on a can of tomato sauce. But when I add up all those 5 cents or buy in bulk, then I'm saving 10 to 15 percent on my grocery bill, perhaps every week."Stahl said the savings are worth it since said the taste isn't really different."Generics are so much cheaper," Stahl said. "I try it. If I don't like it, I don't buy store brand again. At least try it and save some money."WISC-TV also did a price comparison for name and store brand apple juice, milk, cereal and string cheese.WISC-TV found that Motts juice ($3.15), Kellogg's Raisin Bran ($3.65) with Dean's milk ($1.79) and Sargento string cheese ($4.69) added up to a total of $13.28.WISC-TV found that the same products from a store brand -- in this case, Roundy's -- added up to a total of $9.57, a difference of almost $4. Copyright 2009 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
