As I’ve talked about before, getting in the habit of shopping store brands vs. the more expensive name brand is a smart and easy way to lower your grocery bill. This seems like even more obvious advice when you discover that many of the store brands are actually made by the more expensive name brand then simply repackaged. To give you an idea of what I’m talking about, here are several dozen actual name brand companies behind these store brands “generics”.

Kirkland Signature (Costco)

– Kirkland Dog Food: Made by Diamond Pet Foods, the same company that makes Taste of the Wild, Diamond Naturals, and Nutra-Gold.

– Kirkland Signature Vodka: Despite the claims, it’s not produced by Grey Goose, but instead by Gayant Distillery of France.

– Kirkland Signature Batteries: Manufactured by Duracell.

– Kirkland Signature Craft Beer: Made by Gordon Biersch. I love Gordon Biersch beer, and guess what, I love Kirkland craft beer too.

– Kirkland Signature Premium Small Batch Bourbon: This is made by Buffalo Trace. From Insider Louisville, “Kirkland is from Buffalo Trace and tastes like Jim Beam — a little bit, anyway.”

– Kirkland Scotch: Made by Macallan 18. Buy Kirkland as it’s a great way to save on a quality Scotch.

– Kirkland Tuna: Turns out it’s made by none other than Bumblebee Tuna.

– Kirkland Diapers: These are made by Kimberly-Clark, the same outfit that makes all Huggies products.

PRO TIP

Take a look at the “Factory Code” on a box of Huggies and a box of Kirkland diapers, they’re identical. By trying to match these numbers, you can often play detective and figure out where Kirkland products are manufactured.

– Kirkland Laundry Detergent: It’s made by a company called Henkel which makes the higher end brands All and Persil.

– Kirkland Canned Chicken Breast: This originally was made by Bumble Bee, but is now made by Costco in their Fremont, Nebraska chicken facility.

– Kirkland Signature Golf Balls: Made by Nassau Golf, a leading sports equipment manufacturer, which was bought by TaylorMade back in 2021.

See Also: Stores Famous for Slashing Prices Near “Best-By” Dates

Great Value (Walmart)

– Great Value Canned Vegetables: Sourced from various suppliers including Del Monte, Green Giant, and Libby’s.

– Great Value Bottled Water: Sourced from multiple bottling companies, including Niagara Bottling.

365 Everyday Value (Whole Foods Market)

– 365 Everyday Value Pasta Sauces: Produced by multiple suppliers, including Victoria Fine Foods and Silver Palate.

– 365 Everyday Value Snacks: Sourced from various health food companies, including Late July and Nature’s Path.

ALDI

– Millville Cinnamon Crunch Squares: Made by General Mills who also makes Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

– Tuscan Garden Restaurant-Style Italian Dressing: Rumor has it that it’s made by the same manufacturer as the Olive Garden Signature Italian Dressing.

Trader Joe’s

– Trader Joe’s Gourmet Cheeses: Made by various cheese producers, some undisclosed.

– Trader Joe’s Frozen Meals: Produced by multiple manufacturers, including Amy’s Kitchen and Conagra Brands.

– Trader Joe’s Hummus: This is made by Bakkavor Foods who is known for their award winning hummus in the UK.

– Trader Joe’s Pita Chips: These popular chips are made by the leading brand Stacy’s and repacked for TJs and sold at a discount.

– Trader Joe’s Pistachios: These are made by the Wonderful Pistachios company.

RUMOR-VILLE

I have a good friend who swears that Trader Joe’s skin care products are made by Aveda. In particular, she said the skin cream smell and feels just like Aveda. But I haven’t been able to confirm this one. Does anyone know for sure? Please leave a comment below and give us all the 411. Thanks!

– Trader Joe’s Smoothies: These are made by the leading juice manufacturer Naked.

– Trader Joe’s Organic Yogurt: This is made by the popular name brand Stonyfield.

Amazon Basics

– Amazon Basics Electronics Accessories: Sourced from various name-brand manufacturers, often undisclosed.

– Amazon Basics Kitchenware: Produced by various suppliers, including Hamilton Beach and Fox Run.

Member’s Mark (Sam’s Club)

– Member’s Mark Bacon: Manufactured by multiple suppliers, including Smithfield Foods.

– Member’s Mark Paper Towels: Produced by various paper product companies, including Georgia-Pacific.

See Also: All The Top Brands That Make Member’s Mark Products for Sam’s

Publix Brand (Publix)

– Publix Brand Deli Meats: Made by various meat suppliers, including Boar’s Head and Hormel.

– Publix Brand Frozen Vegetables: Sourced from various frozen food manufacturers including Green Giant.

See Also: Guide to Getting Free Food at Restaurants (Month by Month)

President’s Choice (Loblaws)

– President’s Choice Cookies: Made by multiple cookie manufacturers, including Dare Foods and Voortman Cookies.

– President’s Choice Frozen Pizza: Produced by leading pizza company McCain Foods.

Signature Kitchens (Safeway)

– Signature Kitchens Bread: Made by various bakeries, including Bimbo Bakeries USA and Flowers Foods.

– O Organics Baby Formula: Produced by Perrigo Nutritionals.

– O Organics Olive Oil: Sourced from Pompeian and California Olive Ranch.

– Signature Select Ice Cream: Produced by various ice cream manufacturers, including Dean Foods and Wells Enterprises.

– Signature Select Pasta: Manufactured by Barilla.

Market Pantry (Target)

– Market Pantry Cereal: Sourced from various cereal companies, including General Mills and Kellogg’s.

– Market Pantry Peanut Butter: Manufactured by Algood Food Company.

– Market Pantry Frozen Vegetables: Produced by Simplot and Pictsweet.

CHECK OUT THE UPC CODE

Often times the first 5 or 6 digits on the UPC code will be the same for the store brand and the name brand. Put this tip in your “toolbox” as it’s another way to try and figure out who actually makes the product.

– Good & Gather Almond Milk: Produced by Blue Diamond Growers.

– Good & Gather Frozen Fruit: Sourced from Wawona Frozen Foods.

– Archer Farms Coffee: Roasted by multiple coffee companies, including Massimo Zanetti Beverage Group.

– Archer Farms Nuts: Sourced from various nut suppliers, including Diamond Foods.

– Up & Up Over-the-Counter Medications: Manufactured by Perrigo Company, a major pharmaceutical company.

– Up & Up Cleaning Supplies: Produced by various manufacturers, including Stepan Company and P&G.

– Simply Balanced Organic Pasta: Sourced from Dakota Growers Pasta Company.

– Simply Balanced Organic Granola Bars: Made by Annie’s Homegrown.

Signature Farms (Albertsons)

– Signature SELECT Sodas: Manufactured by Cott Beverages.

– Signature SELECT Frozen Pizza: Produced by Nestlé and Schwan’s Company.

See Also: How to Find Affordable Alternatives to Expensive Brands like West Elm and Jonathan Adler

Nature’s Promise (Giant Food)

– Nature’s Promise Organic Yogurt: Made by Stonyfield Organic.

– Nature’s Promise Organic Pasta: Sourced from Riviana Foods.

Private Selection (Kroger)

– Kroger Brand Cereal: Manufactured by General Mills and Kellogg’s.

– Kroger Brand Laundry Detergent: Produced by Sun Products Corporation and Church & Dwight.

– Kroger Brand Milk: Thanks to reader Lisa who let me know that the Kroger owned stores where she lives in Wisconsin is sourced from Kemp’s Dairy.

Meijer Brand (Meijer)

– Meijer Brand Bread: Made by Bimbo Bakeries USA and Sara Lee.

– Meijer Brand Frozen Meals: Produced by Conagra Brands and Nestlé.

Food Lion Brand (Food Lion)

– Food Lion Brand Coffee: Manufactured by Kraft Heinz and J.M. Smucker Company.

– Food Lion Brand Ice Cream: Produced by Wells Enterprises and Blue Bell Creameries.

I’d love to build this article even further and have it become a go-to resource for smart shoppers.

Please let me know in the comments if you know of any other store brands that are actually made by popular name brands.

Happy savings.

By Kyle James

Kyle James( Owner/Founder )

I started Rather-Be-Shopping.com in 2000 and have become a consumer expert and advocate writing about out-of-the-box ways to save at stores like Amazon, Walmart, Target and Costco to name a few. I’ve been featured on FOX News, Good Morning America, and the NY Times talking about my savings tips. (Learn more)