Supermarket value ranges - what's hot and what's not?!

middleman_2

Must admit I'm not very good at buying the value ranges although I keep meaning to so thanks to this thread I've got something to go on. Do buy Tesco value baked beans though (on recommendation) and I think they are better than Heinz!

Paige

Asda smartprice washing softner - 33p per litre. Excellent - smells really nice.

tawnyowls

And don't forget the Lidl and Aldi threads as well. Some of their stuff is as cheap as the value ranges of the other supermarkets.

Penny-Pincher!!

Aldis

Beans-13p excellent better than Heinz
Ham-all great quality
Cheese-medium is lovely
milk
butter
kidney beans
toms with herbs

Lidl

Ham
Cheese
Butter

Asda

Butter
Mature cheddar
noodles
rice
tinned toms
OJ
Apple juice
tinned sweetcorn
tissue boxes
soap
flour
vinegar (do prefer balsamic though)

I have tried most of the value range and the above is what we buy if needed now, unless we get reduced items cheaper or use vouchers in asda/teso or waitrose.

PP
xx

larmy16

I went to Morrisons the other day after a break of some weeks and noticed the value orange juice had jumped up to 48p - still cheap I know, but I am sure it was around the 35p mark not so long ago. Is this the case with all the value orange juice? Just curious.

pie-eater

I noticed this too. Asda went from 48p to 58p and Aldi went from 49p to 59p. is there an orange juice shortage?:rotfl:

Best value ranges I've found
Asda
Flour - all
Porridge Oats
Tinned Peas

Aldi
Cornflakes
Honey Hoops
Shreddies
Cooked Meats
Catfood
Cat Litter

hilstep2000

I bought an interesting book called "Supermarket Own Brand Guide" By Martin Isark. What he has done is taken the branded stuff and compared it to the own brand stuff, and told you which is the best.
An example isHeinz baked beans in tomato sauce: He says "Morrisons Baked beans in tomato sauce Put these into your trolley with confidence."
Sainsbury's "Grab the tin! It won't disapoint" Tesco "Nearly as good as Heinz, but extra sugar makes them sweeter" Asda smartprice " Don't. Even at this price the grey beans in a disgusting sauce will take some swallowing":eek:

There are over 2000 items in 250 product categories in the book, I've found it invaluable!:T

Money~Bunny_3

I am told by an ex-Tesco employee that the value goods are often surplus from the major manufacturers. Because of competition laws they can only produce/sell so much of their brand. Extra stuff is sold and packaged as supermarket own brand or value, apparently!

Based on my (limited but happy) experience:

No good:
Most value white bread is very bland and mushy - only good for toast
Tesco value porridge oats are too fine for me and make my porridge too sloppy
Any meat
Tesco 'smash'-style instant potato mix _pale_
Eggs (thin shells and terrible taste)
Washing up liquid (you'll use half a bottle trying get the usual bubbles!)

Good:
Sainsbury's
great value packs of peppers at 90p for 4 - you can get them cheaper at markets etc though
butter
Flour (fine for simple cakes etc)
Dark chocolate (again for cakes and baking)
Sweets (like their hard mints, etc)
Fruit scones

Tesco:
Fruit squash
Jaffa-style cakes
pizzas (but I tart them up a bit or they look sad)

cjalynch

Tesco value things which I find fine to use:
Plain Flour
Self raising flour
butter
apple juice
breakfast juice
chopped tomatoes
tinned sweetcorn
frozen peas
most of the value biscuits
value coffee granules (not powder!)
cheese
tissues
tinfoil
microfibre cloths!!
loo roll

value things I don't like:
eggs- where do they come from???
tinned tuna- have had some dodgy looking bits
bread
pasta- too sticky and glutinous
fish fingers (see tuna)
baked beans- too runny
kitchen roll- takes a lot to mop up any spills

I also use value washing up liquid which is a bit dilute, but at 13p a bottle I can use as much as I need and it still seems to last as long as a normal bottle!

flourgirl

we have tried and liked
Tesco Value
Digestive Bisc I think they are better than Mc Vities
Sweet & Sour Sauce
Pasta Sauce
Porridge Oats
Mature Cheddar. Asda is best
Dried Mixed Fruit Sainsbury's is fab
Fruit Cocktail
Savoury Rice
Red Kidney Beans
Flour ok for pastry Sainsbury's best for cakes

We keep trying different things but I would
never buy meat or eggs and only buy bread for stuffings.
Great thread!!