Consumers urged to buy house brands of supermarts

MANILA, Philippines - Consumers are advised to stay away from branded products and simply buy house brands of supermarkets which are 15 to 20 percent cheaper than branded products, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.

“The availability of a wide array of goods and services with differences in appearance, price and quality gives our consumers a lot of options and this is really good,” DTI Undersecretary for Consumer Welfare Zenaida Cuison Maglaya said.

Maglaya noted that some supermarkets are already carrying house brands that are a lot cheaper. She said the quality is the same because they go through the same process of inspection and necessary registration from government agencies such as the Bureau of Food and Drugs.

Another assurance in the quality of house brands is that they carry the name of establishment itself and business would not ruin their established name by offering inferior products and/or services.

“Having a wide range of choices gives the consumers that advantage of looking for a cheaper option with products which are at par with the branded ones,” she added.

She explained that house brands come in competitive prices because they do not spend too much on advertising and packaging.

Maglaya also reminded consumers that buying entails more than just grabbing an item and lining up at the counter. “Be more vigilant and do a bit of evaluation to get exactly what is needed at the most affordable price.”

She also advised consumers to be more discerning by thoroughly reading the labels of products that they are buying.

As required by law, government is enforcing compulsory labeling to enable consumers to get accurate information as to the nature, quality and quantity of the contents of consumer products.

Minimum labeling requirements have been imposed for businesses to comply with such as registered trade or brand name, the business name and address of the manufacturer or importer, the general make or active ingredients, the net quantity of contents, and the country of manufacture.