Great "Best Generic Products" Hunt

desperate_saver

superhoop wrote: »

Absolutely true hollymcr, well done for making the point.

Retailers are always changing the formulation of their own brands, and the focus is usually on saving money so that they can lower prices, increase margin or both.

In fact product formulation is vital in the way retailers present their ranges. For example, when I worked at Safeway HQ, the cake buyer would insist his Cherry Genoa cake had 10% more cherries in its than the Tesco equivalent, and argued that it should be 10% more expensive as a consequence. This was controversial because would the customer notice a difference? Safeway was always seen as expensive and it was arguments like this that did the retailer no favours.

In truth, all of the buyers know each other's product formulations. and in some cases use the same suppliers, sometimes this is the branded supplier. It all depends on how the retailer views that product and that 'category'. If it's a category in growth, like fresh ready meals, retailers will spend a lot of time and energy making their product special. For a product category in decline, they might not even bother producing own label. For example, ever wondered why you don't see much own label in canned meat, e.g. corned beef? There's no money in it, the brands there are strong enough already so it's a waste of the retailers' time to produce "me too"s.

By the way, I'll happily give a shout for Asda Shades toilet roll. I know for a fact they use a special way of 'fluffing' the fibres using hot air that other brands don't use. Much better than Andrex IMHO!

Please bear in mind that blowing this hot air uses higher amounts of energy and is therefore not environmentally friendly. It is a process called "through air drying" and not only Asda Shades are produced this way! I have very sensitive skin and find the only tissue i can use is Nouvelle, which is very environmentally friendly.

Tiger_greeneyes

Any Asda smart price biscuits are well worth trying. Also, their own version of Red Bull is spot on, and a fraction of the price of the 'real' thing.

squash72_2

I would shout from the roof tops about these!!!

Aldi "Del Rivo" fresh orange juice is the best ever - better than the man who says yes and the tropicana ones- won't buy anything else now
- 100 % orange juice not from concentrate
- its in the chilled department 1lt for 79p or 1.5lt1 for £1.04 - (I think, but don't quote me on it.

Aldi popcorn 79p - for a massive bag (salt, sweet and maple flavours)

also Lidl - 3 strawberry trifles - 99p - lots of everything cream,custard etc yummy better than most

Asda fig rolls 40 odd pennies cheap than the original

still trying out Aldi and Lidl range - but would love to know of any recommendations

andyjervisuk

If you suffer from indigestion forget about all the remedies you see advertised. Just have a carton of Bi-Carbonate of Soda ( Sodium Bicarbonate) in the cupboard. One teaspoon in boiled water, stir thoroughly and drink down in one. Not the greatest taste but for around 60p there is a years supply in one carton.

Pisces

Aldi Titan chocolate bars - 69p for 6. Same as Mars bars only much, much better!

firesidemaid

i'll second the vote fo the asda smart price tortilla chips!:j

they are now about 21/23p for a good sized bag and are yummy with no horrid ingredients in.

only things is, once i start i can't stop and i normally finish the pack in one go!:eek:

clairehi

Havent we done this before? Great disguised own-brands hunt or something similar?

I'll vote for the Tesco value Jaffa Cakes though - a calorie bargain as well as a monetary one at only 48 cals!

bettymacleans

I buy Tesco's own Automatic Biological Wash Powder. A 3kg box is £1.70ish (can't remember exact figure but know it is £1.70something) It smells great and washes brilliantly(IMHO), plus it lasts me ages. Branded varieties are extortionate IMO, this does the job at a fraction of the cost!! Cheap as!!!

bettymacleans

..........that it is the 'Value' range I am referring to! Cheers:o

LEICESTERCITYFC

Tesco matrix range mens shavers are awesome!;)