...to tell you about my Tesco value foods ephiphany

[OliviaMansfield]

I wondered why they were all disappearing. Today I realise they have been rebranded the Hearty Food Co!

I always buy Asda's cheapest pasta - see no difference at all, unless you want different shapes (it's always penne) or fresh. Ditto the porridge - oats are oats, no difference at all to me.

I did once get dirty looks from a checkout girl since I'd bought a big bag of their Super Cheap dry dog food - among human food that included Extra Special items. I didn't bother explaining that since it was freezing cold, with snow on the ground, it was for Fox and Badger who used to visit our garden at night.

If too many people bought too much value brand stuff, it wouldn't be profitable. They're happy that there's a stigma and plenty of people won't buy it.

However, they know that there are people who want or need to buy the cheapest products so will cater for them, because that's what Tesco aim to offer - everything to everybody whether they are a value shopper or a Finest one.

Maybe they are following Lidl and Aldi's lead where own brand products are given 'brands' but it's still supermarket own label.

As an aside, I bought Tesco Value Corned beef a couple of weeks ago because I noticed that the nutritional content was exactly the same as Tesco standard brand but it was 20 pence cheaper.

It appeared to be exactly like you expect corned beef to be. In the last few weeks we've had a tin of Tesco value corned beef and a tin of Fray Bentos and I don't think there was any noticeable difference between them despite the Fray Bentos one costing nearly twice as much.

I'm glad they changed it. Will probably be flamed for this but I do think the other packaging stood out like a sore thumb and people do judge IMO if your buying loads of value stuff and see you as a "cheapskate"

People actually care about random strangers in the supermarket thinking they're a cheapskate?

ThisLittleKitty, you're actually bothered what other people think about your shopping? GETTING, why on earth would you feel the need to explain to checkout girl why you have a big bag of value stuff? Don't mean to be rude but wtf to these two posts?! They qualify for a thread of it's own, would be very interesting.

I wondered where the value tomato pasta sauce had gone.

@Bubbaleo yes the cut off was midnight so i got my value pasta thanks to this thread !

"I think value ranges make savings on design and packing. Not necessarily the contents."

No, they make savings on both. Look at the ingredients. Doesn't bother me though. I buy them and don't think there's a 'stigma'.

" people do judge IMO if your buying loads of value stuff and see you as a "cheapskate""

Maybe if you're well off I suppose. Nobody's ever judged me for it and to some extent I think there's a judgement that you're being wasteful going for brands. Baked beans need to be Heinz for me though.

NoMud Enjoy, and let us know what dish/recipe you make with it (nosey)

No, they make savings on both. Look at the ingredients.

Sometimes their savings actually improve the product. Sainsbury's basics 'Weetabix' has less sugar than actual Weetabix.

On the other hand, their basics cream cheese has all manner of suspect stuff shoved in to bulk it out.

Then there are things like flour. I'd be willing to bet money that somewhere there is a flour production line bagging up the own brand stuff that costs £1 all morning then switching the bags to to the value range and filling it with the same product all afternoon and selling it for 50p. I can see where the price difference comes into play for organic brands or specialist flour but I'm very dubious about there being any difference between own brand and value own brand.

Very interesting thread. I did an online shop with Sainsbos last night, only because they emailed me a £12 off a £60 shop.

I probably havnt saved a penny, as it all seemed expensive. I tried to only buy what was on offer though.

I didnt have time to look at value stuff. I will look in Tesco though and try a load, its laziness on my part, Its quicker for me to stick with my usuals.

I want to save money.

Only time I judged what people were buying as a checkout girl was when people would elbow each other for the reductions then jump into a merc outside.

Tesco 'everyday value' macaroni cheese was a staff favourite...

I've never understood why any supermarket's 'value' range was marketed with cheap looking packaging. I think they're missing a trick, personally

Because they don’t really want you to buy them. They want you to buy the upper tiers; standard Tesco (or whatever store) range, the national brands or the finest/TTD labels etc.

They have to balance the needs of offering products to suit every budget against making profits. They call the value ranges loss leaders, they actually lose money on some of the products in that range, but it’s what can get people in to stores for them to discover other products or “special offers”.

Would imagine now thanks to Aldi etc, they’re left with little choice other than to change their value brands.

"Sometimes their savings actually improve the product. Sainsbury's basics 'Weetabix' has less sugar than actual Weetabix. "

The cheap stuff is often lower in calories too. I suspect it's because they're a bit watered down, which I suppose you could do at home.