Own brand versions that are at least as good as the market leaders.

Almost anyone’s faux Weetabix is as good as the real thing. Apart from Aldi’s very cheapest, which is like chewing cardboard.

Most supermarket baked beans but particularly M&S ones. Ditto tinned tomatoes. Bread as well.

Waitrose essential Baked Beans, in my opinion are 100% better than the leading brands.

Aldi West Country salted butter along with Norpak are better than the more expensive butters and Lurpak.

That was quick, GG13 amd SueDonim I left the room for literally 5 mins and came back to 2 replies!

I’m prevaricating, Elegran. I ought to be packing for a holiday.

I am tackling an ironing pile of Everest proportions with my iPad open on GN, ironing is not my favourite household job, but unfortunately I am also verging on OCD with regards to bedding and clothes.

I tend to buy nearly all own brands but I do disagree about the Weetabix. In my opinion you can’t beat the real thing. Most own brand cereals are good except perhaps Shreddies which I buy for the grandchildren and also they prefer Nutella to the own brands.Tesco oats are good too. Some own brand things seem to have disappeared. I can’t find custard powder and the only alternative to Lyles golden syrup I have found is Lidl’s which is just as expensive.

I think Tesco’s own brand of cocoa (not drinking chocolate) is as good or better than the well known one.

A bit different, but in a good way.

Aldi and Lidl baked beans are nicer than Heinz (in my opinion). Aldi crisps, Red Label tea bags, bread, crumpets, fish fingers All great. I could list more.

The Almat washing liquid from Aldi is brilliant and is one of the best I've used, as is their Norpak 'butter'...which I actually prefer.

I used to know someone that worked in procurement for a supermarket.

When Tesco used the phrase 'as good as the leading brand' it was because it was the leading brand with different packaging.

Agree about Sainsbury's Red Label tea bags and Almat washing powder from Aldi's. I also like M&S's soup.

I prefer Lidl's Danpak to the more expensive Lurpak. I also like Lidl's sesame seed cripbreads, nicer, in my opinion than Ryvita's.

Aldi Rosemary savoury crackers are gorgeous.

I have found the M&S version of Weatabix more acceptable than other “own brands” and still cheaper than the original.

But it is obvious now that all wheat biscuits cereals are much thinner and more rugged than they were. I find Kellogg’s Cornflakes are also much smaller.

Birds Custard Powder has always had a monopoly on the product I can only name one other personally, I think it was Morrisons.
Anyone notice how the time honoured mixing instruction for Birds custard has changed?

That’s interesting about Bird’s custard. I must go and have a look at the instructions.Sainsbury’s used to do their own but sadly no more.

%SueD agree with you on wheat biscuits, I use Co-op ones too.
My food delivery is from Tesco, I buy their own brand frozen and tinned veg, tinned fruit in juice, porridge oats, passata (or growers choice even cheaper), salad cream, butter I could go on. Hellmans ketchup is good and as said, M&S baked beans.
Very little brand allegiance in this house, coffee, toothpaste, soap and shampoo/conditioner are all I can think of for now.

They say that after eating a similar item to one that you like, for a few times, you forget the original taste. It's not always that the original is 'better' but simply that you have got used to that specific taste.
But I agree there are some own brand things that taste terrible... not because they are different but simply that they are not very nice!
I use Waitrose tomato ketchup and beans and actually prefer them to Heinz... but my daughter and granddaughter are Heinz devotees. Lidl tomato products are just as good unless of course you want the premium Mutti ones which do taste much better but at almost double the price.

Advertising is a powerful medium to sway our choices but in fact we are paying for the advertising when we buy the product. Brand loyalty has been well researched by well known brands... they can be very good at keeping us hooked in.

I think the current economic climate has got many of us trying own brand as it can be significantly cheaper.. I think its a bit hit and miss, especially in the cheaper supermarkets

We have had trouble getting Lyles syrup in the North West. When I was near a Waitrose I used their own label all the time and found them excellent.
Now I have a Sainsburys, their beans are alright and porridge, tomatoes are appalling and Mutti over a pound a tin!!! Their petit pois are good and reduced sugar Tomato ketchup, streaky bacon and large free-range chickens.
I have also found their fresh veg dire and use an independent shop when possible and for all our meat.

GrannyGravy13

Waitrose essential Baked Beans, in my opinion are 100% better than the leading brands.

Aldi West Country salted butter along with Norpak are better than the more expensive butters and Lurpak.

Yes, I'd always choose Waitrose own baked beans over any other brand.

Lidl West Country butter
Lidl or Tesco 50% fruit muesli (DH prefers it)

Asda Tesco Aldi Branston baked beans in rich sauce not (economy) are far superior compared to Heinz. I go to farm shop for fruit and veg (that is not on my veg plot). Such poor quality tasteless stuff in all of the supermarkets.

I cannot compare because I so rarely buy branded goods. It is nothing new, I never have. Very occasionally, when something unbranded tastes horrible, I might try a brand, but otherwise, they would all go bust if they had to rely on me for their income.

I am amazed that so many do buy branded goods.

Always try to buy supermarket's own brand. Sainsbury's Yeast Extract is just as good if not better than Marmite.

Without my glasses and at a fair distance Mr Keepcalm looks just as good as George Clooney.

Marks and Spencer baked beans. Far superior and the cheapest I believe

Also their tuna in spring water