For many everyday basics, the store brand is worth it. It usually costs less than the name brand, and for simple products like sugar, flour, canned vegetables, frozen produce and over-the-counter medicine, the difference in the product is often small. For medicine, compare the active ingredient and strength on the label. For everything else, try one store-brand item at a time and keep the ones you like.
Why store brands cost less
Store brands (also called private label) usually skip big national advertising campaigns, and they're sold only in that retailer's stores. Retailers use them to offer lower prices while keeping a healthy margin. Some are made by contract manufacturers who also produce other brands, though you usually can't tell which.
Shoppers have noticed. According to the Private Label Manufacturers Association, U.S. store brand sales reached a record $282.8 billion in 2025, with store brands at 21.3% of dollar sales and 23.5% of units.
The easiest switches
| Category | Why it's an easy switch |
|---|---|
| Baking basics (sugar, flour, salt, baking soda) | Simple, standardized ingredients |
| Canned and frozen vegetables | Few ingredients. Easy to compare labels |
| Over-the-counter medicine | Compare the active ingredient and strength on the label |
| Milk, eggs, butter | Basic staples with few differences |
| Paper goods and trash bags | Compare by count and sheet size |
| Cleaning basics (bleach, dish soap) | Check concentration and size |
| Spices, rice, oats, pasta | Staples where taste differences are often small |
Where name brands might be worth it
- Products where taste or texture matters to you: coffee, snacks, cereal, condiments. Try the store brand once and decide.
- Performance products: some detergents, dishwasher pods and paper towels vary in how much you need. A cheaper product that you use twice as much of isn't cheaper.
- Specific formulations you or your family depend on, like a particular skincare product or a specific infant formula your pediatrician recommended.
- When the name brand is on sale. A name brand on sale with a coupon can beat the store brand. Check the unit price.
How to compare them fairly
- Use the unit price (per ounce, count or load), not the package price. Sizes often differ.
- Read the label: ingredients, active ingredients, concentration, count.
- Check other stores for the name brand. The name brand elsewhere can be cheaper than the store brand here.
Step 3 is the one most people skip. It takes one scan:
- Scan the barcode of the item on the shelf with Price Match Paradise. No account needed to start.
- Review matching offers across supported retailer sources, with stock status and price-match guidance when the retailer data is available.
- Decide in the aisle: ask for a match, buy it here because it's already the best price, or pick it up where it's cheaper.
A simple way to switch
Don't switch everything at once. Each week, replace one name-brand item with the store brand. If nobody notices, keep it. If they do, switch back. Within a couple of months you'll know which switches work for your household. More ideas in 25 grocery saving tips.
FAQ
Are store brands as good as name brands?
For many basics, the products are very similar and cost less. Quality varies by product and retailer, so try one item at a time and keep the ones you like.
Is store-brand medicine the same as name-brand?
Compare the active ingredient, strength and form on the Drug Facts label. If they match, it's the same medicine. Ask a pharmacist if you have questions.
How much can I save with store brands?
It depends on the product and the store. Compare unit prices for the items you buy most to see your actual difference.
Are store brands made by name-brand companies?
Some store brands are made by contract manufacturers that also make other brands, but retailers rarely disclose who makes a specific product.
Is the store brand always the cheapest option?
Not always. A name brand on sale, with a coupon, or at another store can be cheaper. Compare unit prices and check other stores.
Know the real price of every brand.
Scan any barcode and see the same item at 50+ supported retailer sources in one search. Free to start, no account needed.
Keep reading
Sources: PLMA: 2025 private label sales. Summary as of September 22, 2026. Policies change and individual stores have discretion, so confirm with the store. Price Match Paradise isn't affiliated with or endorsed by any retailer mentioned.
Price Match Paradise Team
We build the barcode price comparison app that helps shoppers find the lowest price on the item in their hand. Spotted a policy change? Let us know.