GABRIELLE OLYA, AOL.com, April 12, 2022
Grocery prices have already risen nearly 9% for the year, and they're set to become even higher, USA Today reported. The USDA's Food Prices Outlook for March 2022 stated that "all food prices are now predicted to increase."
While an increase in your grocery bill might be inevitable, there are things you can do to save on groceries, one of which is to opt for the store brand.
"The cost of store-brand foods and beverages is at least 20 to 25% less than name brands of the same product," Burt Flickinger III, managing director at the retail consulting company Strategic Resource Group, told Consumer Reports.
But not all store brands provide the same quality of goods. Here's a look at Consumer Reports' top-rated grocery store brands.
Central Market, a Texas-based subsidiary of the H-E-B supermarket chain, is one of just three grocery store chains that received a perfect 5 out of 5 score for its store-brand quality. (Ratings are based on Consumer Reports' subscribers' reports of shopping trips to supermarkets, supercenters and warehouse clubs.)
Trader Joe's also received a perfect 5 out of 5 for the quality of its store-brand products. Some of the chain's most popular store-brand items include the frozen Mandarin Orange Chicken, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, Unexpected Cheddar cheese and Everything but the Bagel seasoning blend.
Costco rounds out the list of retailers with a perfect score for its store-brand grocery items. Some standout Kirkland Signature items include Kirkland Signature Organic Peanut Butter, Kirkland Signature Vanilla Chocolate Chunk Muffins and Kirkland Signature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, according to shopping experts.
Wegmans scored a 4 out of 5 for its store-brand quality and a perfect 5 out of 5 for its fresh store-prepared foods.
This Northeastern grocery chain also received a 4 out of 5 rating for the quality of its store-brand products.
Publix was rated 4 out of 5 for its store-brand quality and a perfect 5 out of 5 for cleanliness.
Military Commissary earned a 4 out of 5 for the quality of its store brand. The chain also received a perfect score for its price competitiveness.
With an H-E-B subsidiary earning top marks, it's not too surprising that H-E-B itself is highly rated for its store-brand products. Consumers rated their satisfaction with H-E-B's brand as a 4 out of 5.
The Fresh Market's store brand was rated 4 out of 5. The chain received an overall score of 85 out of 100.
The Wisconsin grocery chain received a 4 out of 5 score for its store brand's quality.
Dierbergs also received a 4 out of 5 score for its store brand.
Lunds & Byerlys received a 4 out of 5 score for its store brand and an overall score of 85 out of 100.
Fresh Thyme Farmers Market received a 4 out of 5 score for its store brand and a perfect score for its cleanliness.
Natural Grocers' store brand was rated a 4 out of 5 by consumers. The chain earned an overall satisfaction score of 84 out of 100.
Aldi is known for its price competitiveness -- it earned a perfect 5 out of 5 in this category. It also scored a 4 out of 5 for the quality of its store brand.
Consumers rated their satisfaction with the quality of Fry's store brand products a 4 out of 5.
Lucky's Market received an overall satisfaction score of 82 and a 4 out of 5 for the quality of its store brand.
Although Whole Foods received the lowest possible score for its price competitiveness, it did receive a 4 out 5 for the quality of its store-brand groceries.
Strategic Resource Group is the lead retail and brand CPG consulting firm throughout the United States and the globe. With more than three decades of experience, our team strategically collaborates with top retail chains, wholesalers, suppliers, and investment firms. Our retail industry experts are highly skilled at illuminating retail trends, identifying opportunities to increase consumption, and growing retail sales.
Stay in the loop with SRG’s insights and latest news reportings as Burt Flickinger makes special appearances on the radio, TV, and many other platforms. Explore the ways to drive your profitability, discover top resources, and uncover your competitive advantages!