The Supermarket Own Brand Guide

kscour

Sorry:o I didn't mean I'd post from the book - I meant I'd post from the newspaper article.
There is a link to the article:-
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200wales/tm_objectid=17496718%26method=full%26siteid=50082%26headline=shops%2down%2dbrands%2dcould%2dsave%2dyou%2da%2dfortune-name_page.html#story_continue
but it doesn't include their comparison chart of 44 branded products compared to tesco's own.

Got to say I'm quite interested because he's also considered the contents of the product as well as the taste (I have to be careful of some additives so I do tend to play safe)

Any way if it's safe to summerize from the article:-
The total of the 44 branded products (including some goodies like moet vintage champagne) came to £118.87
Using the recommended Tesco alternatives where applicable the total was reduced to £77.91 a saving of £40.96 although £23.25 of this was the saving on champagne.
What suprised me was that there was no alternative to HP Brown sauce - rated as "buy the brand" but that Heinz Tomato Ketchup could be replaced by Tesco Tomato Ketchup giving a 26p saving. Having said that that saving would probably be wiped out in any multi buy offer.

If it's ok to list the items as listed in the article I'll do that.

And yes it would be really great if we could do this thing ourselves (while bearing in mind the contents of the foods if possible)

The newspaper has printed it out something like this:-
Branded item, price, Own label from tesco, price, saving

kscour

Found a link to another article - think I may have to buy this book as it sounds more interesting the more I read about it!

http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/food_and_drink/features/article1187665.ece

taplady

The author of this book was on Radio 2 yesterday and it sounded great! he tried about 3 thousand items to compare and some of the results were suprising! I will be keeping an eye out for it too!

newleaf

Just to let you know, I'm now passing my copy on to MSE member Tiff. She has promised to pass it on when she has finished with it.

C_Ronaldo

Chipps wrote:

This is all very well, but how does anyone know that the author's idea of what tastes best is the same as anyone else's? The nutritional information is ok to compare, but who is to say that what he rates high for taste is nicer than something he rates lower?
I know a chap who would only eat sunblest cornflakes - can't stand kellogs, whereas my DH can only eat kellogs. That doesn't mean one is better than the other, or tastes better than the other, that is just a matter of personal preference.

good point,

mrs_baggins

I have tried own brands tea bags and I havent got a problem with them. I tried a couple of bottles of squash from tesco and Aldi and didnt like eaither as it seemed to leave a coating on my mouth. Tesco value type washing up liquid I also dont like.

Linda32

I don't like Sainsbury's Basics Fish. The package says the fillets are just different sizes. Thats the only difference. Well that wasn't what I found.

Tesco's own brand Mayo is fine, (not value) I find most of the other own brand one's are very vinegary.

I use Mayo instead of butter/spread and most sauces, so I get through quite a bit.

Edited to add, Tesco Coffee Granules are fine around 58p instead of £1.80'ish for Necalf.

kiwichick

DH seems to be picking up this money saving lark (its taken its time though!) he was at ASDA yesterday and picked up some Smart Price Fruit and Fibre which he has declared is DELISH.

ShimSham

Great thread. Shame it didn't last long. I seem to remember a similar thread on MSE where people where recommending their personal best and worst brand substitutes, but I can't find the thread.