Aussie shoppers are ditching popular brands for generic alternatives amidst skyrocketing living costs
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Recently, the cost of living in Australia has become a pressing concern for many households.
It's hardly shocking, then, that recent research discovered about 75 per cent of Australians have turned to generic supermarket brands in the past year to alleviate the mounting strain on their household budgets.
Joan Kane, a pensioner, is among the rising number of shoppers who are making the switch to more cost-effective alternatives.
She shared her insights with 9News, stating, 'It's just too expensive now to buy what you used to buy. You buy the cheapest brands and do what you can. I buy the home brand milk; it's cheaper. Those few dollars are better in my pocket. I feel sorry for the farmers, but I've got to look after my pennies.'
According to a recent study conducted by Compare the Market, it turns out that almost three-quarters of Australians have hopped on the generic brand bandwagon in the past year.
But are these generic products comparable in quality to their name-brand counterparts? The consensus among shoppers is that, in most cases, the difference boils down to packaging and marketing, with the actual product being quite similar in quality.
Phillip Portman, a spokesperson for Compare the Market, explained the rationale for this trend, saying, 'A lot of people are feeling the pinch and are looking for more ways to claw back cash.'
The study examined 15 grocery staples featuring items such as pasta, teabags, cheese, and bread. The differences in cost between the home brand and popular Australian brand options at Woolworths were compared and analysed.
To the delight of those concerned about their budgets, the results revealed significant savings. Generics-filled shopping baskets were found to be around half the price of their branded counterparts. For instance, generic white bread was about $2 cheaper, while home-brand olive oil was $9 less expensive.
Portman went on to add, 'When you add that up over a month, it's over $200 in savings, so it's certainly something to consider.'
The study also discovered that consumers were more likely to opt for generic brands in staples like milk, eggs, bread, and butter. However, when it came to coffee, tea, cereal, and confectionery, shoppers seemed more inclined to pay a premium for their favourite brands.
Interestingly, experts suggest that brand loyalty isn't always the most budget-friendly option. When comparing teabags, for example, generic options were found to be roughly $6 cheaper. Similarly, a bulk packet of lollies from a generic label was half the price.
Phillip Portman summed it up neatly: 'If you are willing to make that switch, there are savings.'
If you're looking for clever ways to make your budget go further, now's the perfect moment to dive into the realm of homebrand products. Think about it: saving money while still relishing the very same items we love? That's what we call a double win!
So, are you also opting for those no-name alternatives instead of fancy brands? What items on your shopping list have you swapped out? And hey, do you have any other supermarket money-saving tips up your sleeve? Don't hold back—let us know in the comments below!
It's hardly shocking, then, that recent research discovered about 75 per cent of Australians have turned to generic supermarket brands in the past year to alleviate the mounting strain on their household budgets.
Joan Kane, a pensioner, is among the rising number of shoppers who are making the switch to more cost-effective alternatives.
She shared her insights with 9News, stating, 'It's just too expensive now to buy what you used to buy. You buy the cheapest brands and do what you can. I buy the home brand milk; it's cheaper. Those few dollars are better in my pocket. I feel sorry for the farmers, but I've got to look after my pennies.'
According to a recent study conducted by Compare the Market, it turns out that almost three-quarters of Australians have hopped on the generic brand bandwagon in the past year.
But are these generic products comparable in quality to their name-brand counterparts? The consensus among shoppers is that, in most cases, the difference boils down to packaging and marketing, with the actual product being quite similar in quality.
Phillip Portman, a spokesperson for Compare the Market, explained the rationale for this trend, saying, 'A lot of people are feeling the pinch and are looking for more ways to claw back cash.'
The study examined 15 grocery staples featuring items such as pasta, teabags, cheese, and bread. The differences in cost between the home brand and popular Australian brand options at Woolworths were compared and analysed.
To the delight of those concerned about their budgets, the results revealed significant savings. Generics-filled shopping baskets were found to be around half the price of their branded counterparts. For instance, generic white bread was about $2 cheaper, while home-brand olive oil was $9 less expensive.
Portman went on to add, 'When you add that up over a month, it's over $200 in savings, so it's certainly something to consider.'
The study also discovered that consumers were more likely to opt for generic brands in staples like milk, eggs, bread, and butter. However, when it came to coffee, tea, cereal, and confectionery, shoppers seemed more inclined to pay a premium for their favourite brands.
Interestingly, experts suggest that brand loyalty isn't always the most budget-friendly option. When comparing teabags, for example, generic options were found to be roughly $6 cheaper. Similarly, a bulk packet of lollies from a generic label was half the price.
Phillip Portman summed it up neatly: 'If you are willing to make that switch, there are savings.'
Key Takeaways
- Nearly three-quarters of Australians have swapped brand name items for their generic alternatives in the past 12 months to ease the strain on their household budget.
- New research from Compare the Market shows that about 75 per cent of Australians are choosing home brand options as the cost of living crisis escalates.
- The study found that generics basket worked out to half the price of the brand products, potentially saving over $200 a month.
- Shoppers were most likely to opt for generic brands for staples like milk, eggs, bread and butter while being less likely to switch out coffee, tea, cereal and confectionery.
If you're looking for clever ways to make your budget go further, now's the perfect moment to dive into the realm of homebrand products. Think about it: saving money while still relishing the very same items we love? That's what we call a double win!
So, are you also opting for those no-name alternatives instead of fancy brands? What items on your shopping list have you swapped out? And hey, do you have any other supermarket money-saving tips up your sleeve? Don't hold back—let us know in the comments below!