We love our brands even when they cost more!

Israeli consumers continue to buy popular brands, even though there are much cheaper substitutes. When we buy branded items, even though prices are rising, we allow the big food companies to keep raising their prices!

The Consumer Protection and Fair Trade Authority compared the cost of a basket of products from well-known brands against a basket of store-brand products and found that the difference in price was as much as 19 - 32%

The examples attached in the pictures at the top of the page are taken from product price analysis from seven supermarket chains in Israel. The biggest difference was found in Yochananof, where the own-brand items added up to 32% less than the branded items. In Shufersal they were 30% cheaper. (Also in Shufersal loyalty card-holders get an additional discount on store-brand items).

So how do you start reducing your spend on your food shopping? Here are 5 great tips:

1. Don't buy the big brands:
Next time you go to the store, try to replace a few products from the well-known brands that you are loyal to with substitute products from small manufacturers and store-brand labels. Sometimes the store's own-brand products are manufactured by well-known brands and are only packaged and sold in different packaging (illustrative image at the top of the page). In the pictures you can see that the Sugat white beans cost 73% more than the Rami Levi own brand white beans- even though they are manufactured in the same factory!
The Yechiam pastrama cost 57% more than the Shufersal identical product and is made by the same company!

2. Check the price per unit of measurement:
Use the price per unit of measurement to compare prices of similar products with different weight/volume. Large retailers are required to display a price per unit of measurement for each product in addition to its total price. This is usually shown on the price label on the shelf next to the total price. 
For example, If there are two ketchup bottles on the shelf but of different weights, the price per unit of measurement of 100g of each product is a simple comparison to see which one is more expensive. 

3. Do your homework!
Compare prices before you buy and set a budget for shopping in advance: There are price comparison apps available, use them and save a lot of money! In the apps, you can compare the price of the basket of products you want to buy. The apps receive information from the large food and pharmacy chains and can compare the price of a basket of products or a single product.

4. Take a shopping list and stick to it!
Make an organized list and set a budget in advance. Once you've made a list of items, compare prices online or on a phone app, so you know how much you're going to spend on your upcoming purchase without being surprised.

5. It's even easier to compare prices when shopping online! Before you add the item to your shopping cart, search for it on other websites and online stores in Israel to see how the price compares. Remember to compare delivery charges as these can vary between different sites.

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