While a mega merger between two of America’s largest grocery chains is snarled in regulatory red tape, a smaller European entrant is eyeing a major expansion in the US.
Most of their store brands come from the exact same farms and factory lines as the expensive brand name stuff. Corporations want you to believe there’s a difference but the marketing budget (and bonuses) is what you’re paying extra for — wasn’t the case in the 90’s, but thanks to decades of corporate cost cutting, consolidation, and homogenization, that IS the case in the 2020’s.
The rule of thumb is the more complex the recipe the greater the deviation. Crushed tomatoes? Possibly zero difference. Sugar cookie? Probably 5% difference (that most won’t even notice). Elaborate cookie? As larger difference as between any other brand.
Most of their store brands come from the exact same farms and factory lines as the expensive brand name stuff. Corporations want you to believe there’s a difference but the marketing budget (and bonuses) is what you’re paying extra for — wasn’t the case in the 90’s, but thanks to decades of corporate cost cutting, consolidation, and homogenization, that IS the case in the 2020’s.
The rule of thumb is the more complex the recipe the greater the deviation. Crushed tomatoes? Possibly zero difference. Sugar cookie? Probably 5% difference (that most won’t even notice). Elaborate cookie? As larger difference as between any other brand.