MSE News: Better-off switch to value brands

MiserlyMartin

I've always bought wisely and tried not to only buy things because they are cheap but buy them because they are cheap and good. There are times when what you pay for is what you get. I'm not really surprised that finally the formally well off masses have started to live a more sensible and frugal lifestyle. It has to happen due to the adjustment in living standards and the reduction in so many peoples disposable income. Higher inflation caused by the flawed government and BoE policy, of QE and low interest rates is not helping.

Aldi is packed solid, and tesco are losing market share along with their share price value.

MiserlyMartin

A._Badger wrote: »

I suspect it's somewhat misguided advice anyway.

If the postings to this forum are anything to go by, it is the value brands that have been suffering the most heinous price rises in recent months, under the cloak of 'brand price matching' by the major supermarkets.

That to be expected. If everyone is buying the cheap lines and not the normal or 'finest' lines then they can't hold them at cheaper levels forever, they have to go up.

Pincher

I have been refilling the cardboard box from Lidl with coffee filter cones from Costco. Too cheap to buy a Melitta box.:D

tyllwyd

My OH is just about a higher-rate taxpayer so I guess that makes us above average earnings - a couple of years ago I would always avoid the value brands, but with the price of food going up we've started buying some in the last year or so. But I agree that I have noticed them going up in price as well in the last couple of months.

A._Badger

MiserlyMartin wrote: »

That to be expected. If everyone is buying the cheap lines and not the normal or 'finest' lines then they can't hold them at cheaper levels forever, they have to go up.

I think you are being too charitable. There's not much 'have' about it - rather, an awful lot of market gameplay by the major supermarkets.

lollipopsarah

I had to laugh when coming out of Lidl last week I saw a lovely Jaguar in the car park - and yes I would love to go round the block in it!
x

anna_d_2

I've definitely noticed a lot more well dressed (in business suits etc) people loading up on value brands in my supermarkets.
That said, I still see people loading their trolleys with the big brands, spending £200+ each time and I wonder how on earth they can afford it.

Pincher

There is a flip side to this.

I bought a Bosch WAQ28460GB washing machine from Costco in August 2011, because:

John Lewis ~£480
Costco ~£420

Now John Lewis is selling it at £419, with £50 cashback.

At £369, why would anybody buy a Hoover or Hotpoint?

So, if we are not talking groceries, maybe the trend is trading UP the brands.

pqrdef

Thought it was amusing when Sainsburys started saying on their value lines just what was supposed to be wrong with them.

But I didn't mind my tinned peach slices being odd sizes. Never had a problem with Tesco value lines either.

But I tried some at Asda and they all seemed to be made of cardboard, whether they were ginger nuts, sausages or toilet paper.

Sometimes it's too obvious where corners have been cut. You can feel the cynicism.

However, I do think it's a shame that the rich didn't spend more at Netto sooner. It might have still been with us.

Stephen_Leak

Oi! Rich people! Get back to M&S and Waitrose, where you belong!