"Buying store brands can save you a small fortune. Anywhere from 15 to 30 percent on average, depending on the category," said Tod Marks with Consumer Reports.
Consumer reports just taste-tested 57 store-brand foods from five major retailers. Costco, Sam's club, Walmart, Kmart, and Target, plus Trader Joe's and Whole Foods.
It turns out 33 of the 57 store brands proved as high quality as the national brands, though they're not necessarily identical.
"When we evaluate a store brand And say it's as good as a national Brand, that doesn't mean it's a Dead ringer in terms of the flavor. The fact is products can be equally High in quality but maybe the store Brand has different seasonings or Spices," adds Marks.
However, Target's market pantry ketchup tasted similar to Heinz.
The mayo from Whole Foods, Target, Costco, and Walmart, while different from Hellmann's, was just as good quality.
And listen up all you die-hard Breyers ice cream fans.
"Walmart's great value vanilla Ice cream came pretty close to Breyers. And not only that, it costs a third less," adds Marks.
And when it comes to nuts, store brands are the way to go. Consumer reports' taste tests of cashews showed all seven of the store brands were actually better than the national brand Emerald.
Considering many stores will refund your money if you don't like a store brand, what do you have to lose - and you could save plenty.
