'It's the same': Insiders reveal generic brands that are actually name brands

"The Coles home brand laundry detergent is actually OMO," dished one person, while others shared other ALDI and Woolworths product 'dupes'.  

We love a dupe, especially when it’s not only cheaper than the original but also THE EXACT SAME THING!

Not following? 

We don’t blame ya.

Like seriously, how can a dupe be the same thing as the product it’s duping?

Stay with us, because some sneaky insiders in the Markdowns Australia Facebook group (aka people who view shopping as a competitive sport) will explain everything.

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"Nobody runs a 'home brand' factory"

Someone recently posted in the group writing, “Curious to know does anyone have insider knowledge of what generic brands items are actually name brands?”

Say WHAT?!

It’s true, folks. Many home brand products are actually manufactured under a ‘private label’ which are often big name brands.

So the cheaper product might end up being virtually the same, if not, the exact same as the big name brand’s products in the same category. 

One helpful commenter explained the phenomenon like this: 

“Nobody runs a ‘Home brand’ factory, least of all Coles/Woolworths. Everything you're buying with a home brand label is made at a 'brand name' factory, likely to the same or similar specifications. Often the specifications required for home brand products will be less stringent or able to use different base ingredients.

“An example is the pasta factory I used to work at created three levels of Woolworths products, as well as our own brands and a range of other brands for local and export markets. 

“The difference was in specification consistency and QA requirements: For instance, the cheapest home brand pastas were allowed significantly more cracking than we allowed our own brands, as well as being allowed to be made with a higher percentage of regrind (product that fails QA that's ground back up and used in future batches)

“If you want some hints at where specifically it's made, often similar format packaging will be made in the same place (think those plastic fruit cups, not a huge number of manufacturers are packaging in that format), or if you can find a location of origin (such as when canned fruit says it comes from a specific region) it will certainly be made by one of the bigger producers in that area.

“Products aren't guaranteed to be the same just because they come from the same factory or supplier, it's true that for brand names some of your money is going toward marketing and brand recognition but there may well be a difference in the product even if they also make a home-brand variant.”

So with that in mind, here are some examples of such products, courtesy of other insiders.

Dupe alert! Image: Trident / OMO

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ALDI products

“I am a dairy farmer and multiple brands will supply one line of ALDI milk,” wrote one woman.

Another said: “Trimat laundry liquid at ALDI is OMO.” Someone replied to that, “This makes sense to me now. I used to be a stanch OMO user then when ALDI came here I swapped to Trimat and liked it just as much.”

“They say the ALDI toilet paper is Quilton,” wrote another. 

“ALDI’s canned soup is made at Campbell’s,” declared a different commenter. 

“Sara Lee makes the fancy one-litre ice cream for ALDI,” someone else posted.

“ALDI bread is made by TipTop,” revealed another group member. 

And then someone else dished that “ALDI cordial is Golden Circle.”

“ALDI’s chips are McCain’s,” concluded another. 

Spot the difference. Image: Woolworths / Fountain

Woolworths products

“When I worked at Steggles we bagged whole roasting chickens for Woolies,” replied one woman.

More insights came from this comment that read: “Woolies home brand beetroot is Golden Circle.”

“Woolies tomato sauce is Fountain,” spilled someone else who used to work at the manufacturer.

“Woolies cheese and cream is made by Devondale,” insisted another.

“Woolies home brand tea is Dilmah,” chimed in a fourth.

And to go with your tea, why not try some Woolies generic milk, as "it's made by Dairy Farmers!"

Eye spy with my little eye... two of the same products. Image: Coles / Queens

Coles products

“Coles maple syrup is the same as Queens, just cheaper,” remarked another person. 

Someone also said that the Coles home brand laundry detergent is OMO as well!

“Coles home brand pies are Pattie’s,” another Markdown Addict stated.

“Coles cheese is Bega,” read another comment. 

So, if you're not already - why not switch out your name brand products for these  'dupes' instead! And hey, if the packaging bothers you, you can always refill your fancy ones with the cheaper version!

Originally published as 'It's the same': Insiders reveal generic brands that are actually name brands