The Last Word with Matt Cooper Switching To Own Brand Products Can Reduce Your Grocery Bill By Half
Jan 14, 2026
Charlie Weston, the Personal Finance Editor of the Irish Independent, discusses how switching to own-brand products can significantly cut grocery bills. He highlights a study showing families could save over €2,000 annually amid rising inflation. Weston explains the stark price differences between branded and own-brand groceries, noting potential savings of nearly 50%. He also touches on the improvements in the quality of own-brand items and the impact of promotions and loyalty schemes on household budgeting, all amidst the backdrop of current market challenges.
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Own-Brand Substitution Cuts Grocery Costs
- Grocery inflation in Ireland is running around 6.5% and hitting families hard.
- Switching to supermarket own-brand items can halve a typical branded shopping basket and save ~€2,000 a year.
Shrinkflation Raises Unit Costs
- Shrinkflation is widespread: packaging can look the same while quantity falls and prices rise.
- Consumers are often paying more per unit even when sticker prices seem unchanged.
Swap Staples Gradually, Test Sensitive Items
- Consider substituting staple items like milk, bread, potatoes and pasta with own brands where quality is comparable.
- Test swaps gradually since some products (coffee, butter, toilet paper) can show noticeable quality differences.