The Difference Between Kroger's Private Brands

Many grocery stores offer cheaper, non-name brand options for a variety of foods. These generally include basic grocery items, like pasta, crackers, cheese, and dairy products. They have even increased in popularity, according to a survey published by Grocery Dive. The results of the survey showed that 41% of shoppers purchase store-brand foods more now than they did just a few years ago, with 77% of those people planning to purchase more in the future.

At Kroger, you can get a huge range of store-brand products to fit most of your needs, no matter what you're buying. According to the Kroger website, there are over 10,000 items that can only be found in stores encompassing the Kroger family, and each one comes with a product quality guarantee. Though these items may not be as expensive as recognizable name brands, the brand holds itself to the same standard.

The first Kroger location opened in Cincinnati in 1883, according to Kroger's history. The goal was to create a one-stop shopping experience where customers could purchase every grocery item they needed in one convenient location. Today, Kroger has around 2,800 stores across 35 states — though some of those stores operate under a different name depending on the region. In some areas of the United States, the brand encompasses stores like Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, and Pick'n Save (via Kroger).

Barney Kroger, the founder of the chain, reportedly placed a lot of importance on private labels. So much so, that today, there are 35 Kroger-owned food manufacturing facilities, which create nearly 40% of Kroger's private label products (via Kroger history). The sales of these products account for over a quarter of all store sales. The Kroger brand may be popular with its customers, but did you know that the stores sell a variety of store brands, each with unique attributes?

Kroger has several distinct store brands. The Kroger Label encompasses a wide range of items and is often pretty budget-friendly for those looking to save a few bucks on basics, like pasta, ice cream, and tomato sauce. For your more health-conscious needs, Simple Truth and Simple Truth Organic are the way to go. The website states that these lines include foods like kalamata olives, plant-based dairy-free yogurt and pudding, and keto-friendly crackers. It also states that these foods are GMO-free with no artificial preservatives.

Private Selection foods are for the elevated diet. This line includes the store's macarons, salted caramel mousse, and charcuterie board elements like fine cheeses, pre-sliced meats, and rosemary-flavored crackers. The grocery store chain even has a line for your furry friends — Luvsome sells pet treats, flea and tick treatment, and salmon puree, while Abound specializes in wet and dry foods for dogs and cats, as well as treats.