A leading savings expert has unveiled a handful of straightforward supermarket switches that could help UK households save more than £500 on their annual food shopping. With grocery prices continuing to squeeze family budgets, the analysis encourages consumers to reconsider brand loyalty for significant financial gain.
The High Cost of Brand Loyalty
New research from VoucherCodes.co.uk indicates that many shoppers persistently buy well-known branded items out of habit, often overlooking cheaper, comparable own-label alternatives. The study found that switching just five everyday staple products could lead to substantial savings over a year.
The average UK household spent £5,283 on groceries in 2025. While own-brand goods now make up over half of all purchases, branded products still command a major presence on shopping lists, frequently adding unnecessary expense over time.
Five Smart Swaps for Major Savings
Zoe Morris, a savings expert at VoucherCodes.co.uk, compared prices on a cost-per-gram basis across leading supermarkets. She identified five common items where own-label versions offer the best value, estimating that making these swaps could save households up to £538.84 by the end of 2026, with minimal impact on quality.
1. Toilet Paper – Save Around £60 a Year
Branded toilet roll is often significantly more expensive. A four-pack of Aldi’s Saxon Softer Luxury Toilet Paper was recently priced at about £1.35 (33p per roll), compared to much costlier branded packs. With the average person using 127 rolls annually, this switch saves £15.24 per person, or £60.96 for a family of four. Other value options include Asda Shades at £1.38 and Tesco Luxury Soft at £1.45.
2. Cereal – Save Around £31.24 a Year
While a 295g box of Kellogg’s Coco Pops can cost around £2.35, own-brand alternatives like Aldi’s Choco Rice (79p for 375g) or Sainsbury's Choco Rice Pops (95p for 375g) are far cheaper per 100g, allowing savings without sacrificing your favourite breakfast.
3. Cheese – Save About £237.36 a Year
A 350g block of Cathedral City Mature Cheddar costs £3.75 (£10.71 per kilo). In contrast, supermarket own brands like Morrison’s Mature White Cheddar work out at roughly £5.42 per kilo, with similar prices at Aldi, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Asda. This swap could save £59.34 per person, or a massive £237.36 for a four-person household annually.
4. Baked Beans – Save Around £54.24 a Year
A single 415g tin of Heinz beans costs about £1.40, while budget own-label brands like Aldi’s Everyday Essentials can be as low as 27p for a similar size—a 135% price difference. Based on the average Brit eating 4.9kg of beans a year, a family of four could save £54.24.
5. Bread – Save About £156.00 a Year
Compared to a Warburton's Thick White loaf at £1.40 in Tesco, own-brand equivalents at Aldi, Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, and Morrisons all retail for 75p. With the average person buying around 60 loaves a year, this smart switch saves £39 annually, adding up to £156 for a four-person household.
Rethinking the Weekly Shop
"When you break it down by cost per gram, the savings are hard to ignore," said Zoe Morris. "Even if it does mean leaving brand loyalty in the aisles and switching things up in the trolley. No extreme budgeting, no cutting back on essentials, just choosing own-brand alternatives where the value stacks up."
All prices are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change based on supermarket pricing, loyalty schemes, or promotional offers.
