When you fill your cart during shopping, you likely think you’re choosing the best products at the best prices. However, a significant portion of your budget goes towards invisible costs. Marketing, packaging, advertising… These expenses can inflate prices without any valid reason. Fortunately, there is a simple solution to pay half the price without sacrificing quality.
Some products are identical but sold under different names at a reduced price. So, how can you spot them and save money easily?
How to Identify Good Products While Shopping
In the supermarket, it’s easy to be drawn in by big brands. Their colorful packaging and advertisements can be reassuring. However, right next to them, identical products are sold for much less. Why? Because they bear a different name: they are store brands. Many people believe these products are of lower quality. In reality, they are often made in the same factories and with the same ingredients.
To recognize them, simply compare the labels. Sometimes, only the logo changes. A yogurt from a well-known brand and its store brand equivalent may have the same recipe, the same sugar content, and sometimes even the same place of manufacture. This is also true for pasta, cookies, and even cleaning products.
Looking at the packaging is another tip. Some products have the exact same shape, weight, and sometimes even the same manufacturing codes. If you find these similarities, you have a much cheaper alternative. Another method is to try gradually. Instead of buying a whole pack during your shopping, first try a small quantity. You’ll often find that the quality is identical.
Why Are These Products Cheaper?
Big brands invest heavily in advertising. Television, billboards, influencers… All of this comes at a cost, and the consumer ends up paying for it. Store brands, on the other hand, spend almost nothing on marketing. They simply sell their product under the supermarket’s name. The result: a much lower price for equivalent quality.
Another factor affecting cost is intermediaries. Big brands often go through multiple companies before reaching the shelves. Each intermediary takes a commission, which drives up the price. In contrast, store products go directly from the factory to the store. This avoids unnecessary costs and allows them to sell for less.
Finally, economies of scale help to lower costs. The same manufacturer can produce the same goods for multiple brands. By producing in large quantities, they reduce expenses and can offer a lower price. It’s a virtuous circle that benefits the consumer.
The Trick to Spend Less at Checkout Every Time
To reduce your bill, all it takes is adopting some good habits. First, compare prices per kilogram or liter, rather than just looking at the displayed price. A larger product may seem more expensive, but it often turns out to be cheaper in the end. Next, favor store brands. They cover nearly all categories: food, beverages, household products…
Another secret is to check the labels. They often contain valuable information: same ingredient, same composition, and sometimes even the same manufacturing plant. With a bit of attention, you can find much cheaper alternatives.
Finally, test gradually. Replace a brand-name product with its store-brand equivalent. If the quality meets your expectations, adopt this habit and see the savings add up. Effortlessly, you can save several hundred euros a year while maintaining the same quality on your plate.
