Top 10 Grocery Chains Offering the Best Private Label Products

With rising costs affecting everyday life, the cost of living in America has become a frequent conversation. Due to inflation, many essential expenses like housing, transportation, and clothing have grown increasingly expensive, as reported by the Consumer Price Index. A solution? Budgeting. While creating a budget isn't a new idea, it remains crucial. The timeless advice to spend less is essential, but when it comes to food, cutting down on your grocery bill isn't simply a matter of buying less. One straightforward way to lower your grocery bill is by opting for private label products over brand names. Many grocery chains offer their own private or generic labels that are more affordable than national brands, yet maintain comparable quality. If you're grocery shopping on a budget, these stores are where you'll find great value without sacrificing quality.

Costco Kirkland Signature

Shopping in bulk at a warehouse like Costco can save you a significant amount in the long run. The more you purchase, the more you save. Enhance those savings by choosing Costco’s own private label, Kirkland Signature, whenever possible. Known for its affordability and top-tier quality, Kirkland Signature spans nearly every category, from frozen fruits to paper goods. While the $4.99 rotisserie chicken may draw you in, it's the Kirkland Signature vodka, olive oil, and peanut butter that will keep you coming back—finding better deals on these products elsewhere is nearly impossible.

Trader Joe’s

Shoppers at Trader Joe’s often joke about needing to visit a “real” grocery store afterward. While it’s not a comprehensive one-stop shop, the Trader Joe’s private label, which shares the same name as the store, has a unique appeal for those seeking high-quality, affordable options that lean toward healthier choices. According to Trader Joe himself, the TJ’s private label is free of controversial ingredients like artificial flavors, GMOs, and MSG. It's a must-visit for items such as cheese, spices, snacks, desserts, and frozen meals. Trader Joe’s private label is also renowned for offering a wide selection of wines and alcoholic beverages at unbeatable prices.

ALDI Simply Nature

Though ALDI is a German-based chain, it has become the most popular grocery store in America. Initially founded as a discount grocery store, ALDI still maintains a reputation for affordability among savvy shoppers. A big reason for its success is its private label, Simply Nature. In fact, ALDI leads the industry, with nearly 78 percent of its overall sales coming from its private labels. Simply Nature offers affordable organic, non-GMO products free from artificial preservatives. It's the go-to brand for basics like canned vegetables, fresh and frozen produce, dairy, and coffee. While ALDI offers numerous private labels, Simply Nature stands out for simple ingredients, though other noteworthy labels include liveGfree for gluten-free products, Baker’s Corner for all your baking needs, Fremont Fish Market for seafood, and Little Journey for baby items.

Kroger Private Selection

While some grocery chains are more region-specific, with 35 states under its belt, chances are you have a Kroger store nearby. Private Selection is one of Kroger’s in-house brands designed to provide shoppers with an exceptional culinary experience at affordable prices. Popular items include non-dairy milks, salad dressings, seasonings, and chips. For those looking to save more, Kroger also offers a generic range under the same name. Their health-conscious brand, Simple Truth, is the best option for organic food choices. You can find all of these private labels across Kroger-owned chains such as Ralph’s, Fred Meyer, and Food 4 Less.

Albertsons Signature Select

Following Kroger, Albertsons ranks as the second-largest grocery chain in the U.S. With thousands of locations nationwide, its Signature Select label offers an affordable option for customers. This brand covers all the essentials, from frozen meals to baked goods, and many customers rave about favorites like mac n' cheese, bacon, wine, pasta sauce (the black truffle pasta sauce is particularly popular and often sold out), and ice cream. Albertsons also offers a fully organic line, O Organics, which features fresh organic produce, as well as organic frozen fruits, nut butters, tofu, dairy, and more. Since Albertsons is part of Albertsons Companies, you'll also find Signature Select and O Organics products at Safeway, Vons, and Pavilions.

Walmart Great Value

There’s no denying that Walmart is the undisputed champion of convenience and affordability when it comes to department stores. The retail giant offers nearly everything, but groceries make up the bulk of its sales. In fact, based on revenue, Walmart holds the title of the leading grocery retailer, with a quarter of the grocery market under its belt. Walmart features several private label brands in various categories—Equate for personal care, Pen+Gear for office supplies, and Parent’s Choice for baby products, just to name a few. For groceries, Great Value is the standout. True to its name, the brand focuses on offering the best value for your money. Great Value is known for its affordable chips, cookies, cereals, juices, and more. It also offers budget-friendly alternatives to name-brand favorites like Oreos, Hot Pockets, Nutella, and Kraft cheese.

Sam’s Club Member’s Mark

While Costco is the top membership club, Sam’s Club shouldn’t be overlooked. It actually has more locations in the U.S. and offers lower membership fees. Sam’s Club also boasts its own private label, Member’s Mark, which is essentially the Sam’s Club equivalent of Costco’s Kirkland Signature. Member’s Mark is a smart way to save on household products such as toilet paper, trash bags, and paper towels. It also offers affordable grocery items like coffee, maple syrup, ketchup, and canned tomatoes. Since everything is sold in bulk, you get a better deal per item.

Target Market Pantry

Target has an entire webpage dedicated to its vast selection of in-house brands, including Market Pantry for grocery staples, Favorite Day for sweet and savory snacks, Good & Gather for healthier choices, and many others. While all the brands have something to offer, Market Pantry stands out as a bargain hunter’s dream. On average, Market Pantry items cost up to 30 percent less than their brand-name counterparts. Take advantage of the savings by making this your go-to choice for essentials like bread, milk, eggs, and more.

365 by Whole Foods Market

While upscale stores like Erewhon Market might make Whole Foods appear like a bargain shop, some still humorously refer to the chain as 'Whole Paycheck' due to its higher prices. Although Whole Foods certainly has its pricey items, you can save a significant amount by sticking to its in-house brand, 365 by Whole Foods Market. This private label features over 3,000 grocery and household products that are not only more affordable than their branded counterparts but also meet strict quality standards as outlined on the Whole Foods website. For example, coffee, eggs, and palm oil must be fair trade, cage-free, and sustainably sourced. The line also includes organic, recycled, and non-BPA products.

Publix

Publix may have thousands of stores, but they’re mostly located in a few Southeastern states. If you live in one of these areas, you're in luck, as Publix offers several policies that help you save big on your grocery shopping. The chain has its own private label, Publix Brand, offering over 3,000 products that provide better value than national brands. Known for its premium ice cream, buffalo chicken dip, and iced tea, Publix also offers great deals on prepared foods from the bakery and deli, such as fried chicken, pub subs (sandwiches), pies, cakes, and even holiday dinners. What’s more, Publix boasts a generous price-matching policy, accepts coupons from other stores, and allows returns on opened products.