Store brands still a much better deal despite increase in prices

During a story on King 5-TV about retailers replacing brand name products with house brands, it was reported that the price of name brands had dropped 4 percent while the price of store brands went up 8 percent.

I thought I’d check to see if store brands are still a good deal for consumers; they are, by far.

Here are the prices at my local Safeway store:

Cut green beans – 14.5 ounces

S&W – $1.65
Green Giant – $1.49
Del Monte – $1.19
Safeway – $ .79

Canned corn – 15 ounces

S&W – $1.65
Green Giant – $1.49
Del Monte – $1.19
Safeway – $ .79

Canned peas – 15 ounces

S&W – $1.55
Del Monte – $1.19
Safeway – $ .79

Canned pineapple chunks – 1 pound, 4 ounces

Dole – $2.19
Safeway – $1.19 ($1 with a Safeway Club Card)

Canned sliced peaches – 15 ounces

Del Monte – $1.79
Safeway – $1.19 ($1 with a Safeway Club Card)

Canned fruit cocktail – 15.25 ounces

Del Monte – $1.79
Safeway – $1.19 ($1 with a Safeway Club Card)

Do you take advantage of the lower prices of store brands or do you prefer brand names? Let me know your opinion in the Comment section below.

Copyright 2010, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist