Large stores like Walmart have begun to quietly push their own store brand over well known manufacturer brands, with the result that shelf space for well known brands is now at a premium. We all like the idea that house brands are often good quality, and have a cheaper sticker price. But here’s the problem for a deal hunter – you can’t use coupons to purchase them. You can’t double up a coupon with a try me free rebate for a house brand and have it result in a free product and a profit!
We’re all for low prices, but for some of us, it’s all about the extra edge. It’s all about stretching the purchase, getting more for your money than just the store bargain brand. Store brands ARE an important part of the family budget for products that are frequently consumed and don’t have coupons or rebates that make them great deals. But, if I had to only buy store brands, I would not routinely save 30-50% off the regular cost of my groceries and household items.
Walmart does not have a lot of gimmicks other than beating the regular price on most items. There are no loyalty cards, no in store coupons, and the only time I saw them give away a gift card was for signing up for a credit card. During the $4 a gallon gas fiasco, they sold gift cards with the promise that if you used them to buy gas at affiliated stations, you would pay less for the gas. All they do is lower the prices. For me, that’s fine! I love to get the lowest price, use the coupon, and then submit the rebate! But that’s assuming that I can find the brand on the shelf!
I’ve noticed other stores devoting more shelf space to their own house brands, and I am wondering if this will continue. Lately I have seen this increase at Target, Publix, and CVS. With the largest retailer in the world substantially increasing house brands while removing popular well known ones, I expect we will see more of this. The question is, how long will it continue, and to what extent? Perhaps this will pressure major manufacturers to lower their prices even more.