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Business Insider
14-05-2025
- General
- Business Insider
I compared brand-name cereals to Walmart's cheaper generic versions. I'll never buy some pricier options again.
A box of name-brand cereal may not seem like an especially luxurious purchase, but when you're trying to buy enough for a hungry family of four, the cost can add up. Luckily, Walmart offers generic alternatives to practically every popular cereal brand under its Great Value label. These "dupes" tend to be cheaper, and I wanted to see if I could save money on groceries in the future while keeping my 7-year-old and 4-year-old just as satisfied. So, we did blind taste tests to try five famous cereals alongside their respective generic alternatives. Here's how they stacked up, and which were worth the savings. Prices may vary by location. Great Value Honey Nut O's were way cheaper than Honey Nut Cheerios. To start, we compared General Mills Honey Nut Cheerios to Great Value Honey Nut O's. The 10.5-ounce box of Honey Nut Cheerios cost $3.68, or $0.35 an ounce. Walmart's version was significantly cheaper at $1.87 for a 12-ounce box, or $0.16 an ounce. Out of the box, it was fairly easy to tell the difference between the two. The generic O's were a bit larger and had a lighter color than the Honey Nut Cheerios. The brand-name version also appeared to have a shiny, sugary sheen that the generic lacked. Most of us preferred the brand-name Honey Nut Cheerios. Of the five cereal pairs we tasted, these two options seemed the least similar. The generic version was a bit crunchier and a touch less mushy after a few minutes in milk. However, it had a starchy texture that verged on chalkiness. Overall, the General Mills cereal had more honey flavor and a heartier, oaty taste than the generic. My 4-year-old couldn't tell the brand from the generic by taste for most of the cereals we tested. With this one, however, she had no problem distinguishing the two. She actually preferred the generic to the Honey Nut Cheerios, possibly because she doesn't really like the taste of honey. My 7-year-old also had no trouble telling the difference, but he and I both preferred the original. Honey Bunches of Oats seemed to have a better mix of ingredients than the generic alternative. This was actually my first time trying both the Post Honey Bunches of Oats and its generic alternative. I picked up an 18-ounce box of the brand-name version for $4.93, or $0.27 an ounce. The Great Value alternative cost $2.67 for an 18-ounce box, which broke down to $0.15 an ounce. At first glance, I could tell the Honey Bunches of Oats had a better mix of cornflakes and granola. The granola in the Walmart alternative was harder to find and clumped together. I think brand-name Honey Bunches of Oats are worth paying extra for. Here, too, all three of us could consistently tell the difference between the brand name and generic cereals. The Honey Bunches of Oats were distinctly sweeter than the Walmart alternative, which I thought tasted bland and mostly reminiscent of Corn Flakes. In this case, we all preferred the brand-name Honey Bunches of Oats and were surprised by how much we enjoyed them. The flakes were nice and sweet, and the granola added some light crunch. Of the five cereals we tried, this one built the strongest case for paying more for the name brand. We could easily distinguish between Cinnamon Toast Crunch and the Walmart version. Next, we tried General Mills' Cinnamon Toast Crunch against Great Value Cinnamon Crunch. The General Mills version cost $2.97 for a 12-ounce box, which is about $0.25 an ounce. The Great Value option was $2.98 for a larger 20.5-ounce box, or about $0.15 an ounce. This pair was the easiest to distinguish visually among the five cereals we compared. The brand-name offering was noticeably smaller and darker, with "swirls" of cinnamon sugar on each piece. I preferred Walmart's cinnamon cereal. These options also tasted distinctly different to me and my 7-year-old, though my 4-year-old thought they tasted the same. The 7-year-old preferred the Cinnamon Toast Crunch, which was a bit sweeter, crunchier, and denser. It held up a little better in milk and didn't get soggy as quickly. In this case, I liked the generic better because it felt airier and less sweet. The Great Value Rice Crisps were much cheaper than Kellogg's Rice Krispies. Next up was Kellogg's Rice Krispies versus Great Value Rice Crisps. The Kellogg's version cost me $4.98 for an 18-ounce box, making each ounce $0.28. I purchased a 12-ounce box of the Walmart version for $1.98, or $0.17 an ounce. I noticed the generic cereal consisted of larger crisps that appeared more yellow than their brand-name counterparts. Kellogg's Rice Krispies were a bit sweeter than the generic alternative. I thought these two cereals tasted very similar. To me, though, the brand name was a touch sweeter, and the generic had a slight aftertaste of cardboard. However, neither of my kids could tell the difference and I probably couldn't either without trying them side-by-side. I preferred the Great Value version for rice-cereal treats. I'm not usually a huge fan of Rice Krispies in a bowl of milk, but I love them in treat form. So, after tasting both cereals, we turned them into bars using marshmallows and butter. The marshmallow flavor was strong enough to negate any difference between the two cereals. The sticky treats tasted almost exactly the same. If I'm shopping at Walmart the next time I want to make a batch, I will definitely go with the generic option to save money. The Great Value Frosted Flakes were significantly cheaper than the Kellogg's version. Though Walmart's generic answer to Kellogg's Frosted Flakes goes by the same name, it represented one of the biggest discounts of the group on a per-ounce basis. The 12-ounce box of Kellogg's Frosted Flakes cost $3.98, or $0.33 an ounce. The 13.5-ounce Great Value version cost $1.93, or $0.14 an ounce. They looked very similar, though the generic one again appeared slightly more yellow in color. We couldn't tell the difference between the Great Value and brand-name Frosted Flakes. These two cereals tasted almost exactly the same to us: sugary, crunchy at first, and mushy after a couple of minutes in milk. Of the five generic cereals we tried, the Great Value Frosted Flakes were the only ones that we couldn't distinguish from the original by taste. I thought the brand name might have had a slightly more assertive sweetness to it, but I wasn't able to pick it out reliably in our blind taste test. In this case, I think buying the cheaper Walmart version is a no-brainer.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How Cereal Box Sizes Are Tricking You Amid Shrinkflation
Humans are creatures of habit. Your morning routine may look something like hitting snooze on an alarm clock once or twice, getting ready for the day, and enjoying a bowl of cereal before leaving for work. It's time to start paying closer attention to the little, sugary circles in your bowl, though, because you may not notice that your cereal boxes are tricking you. Cereals are the latest product on the rise in the phenomenon known as "shrinkflation," otherwise known as the reason why your favorite packaged foods have gotten smaller. You might pick up a box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch labeled "family size" and think you're getting a better deal for it, but careful examination reveals that although box sizes are growing and labels are changing to appear more appealing, the amount of product inside is actually shrinking. Any person who spots the "family size" or "giant size" label is probably tempted to put it in their cart because who doesn't want a bigger product for a decent price? This is exactly how cereal manufacturing brands expect consumers to behave, falling victim to clever marketing even though the product inside is shrinking compared to previous years. Read more: 10 Greek Yogurt Brands, Ranked Worst To Best An article from The Guardian revealed studies from Deakin University that compared the prices of Kellogg's Sultana Bran from 2019 to 2024. Six years ago, an 850-gram box of Sultana Bran cost about $6, but in 2024 the package size shrank to 700 grams and the price increased to about $9. In the United States, research from Consumer World found that Post's Honey Bunches of Oats (one of the top five bestselling cereals in America) used to sell a "family size" 23-ounce box for $5.69. The company shrank the "family size" down to 18 ounces and knocked ten cents off the price, then introduced a supposedly new "giant size" with 23 ounces back at the $5.69 price. General Mills is in on shrinkflation, which caught the attention of two members of Congress in 2024 who wrote letters to the CEO condemning shrinkflation. Other popular groceries have been hit by the shrinkflation tactic too, and although it exited before the pandemic, consumers are more aware of it now. Companies believe that consumers will pay more attention to the price on the outside of the box than the changing product size. Companies are banking that p;eople will be less upset if their favorite pack of cookies remains at a comfortable $3.59 with a sleeve less of product versus the same amount of product increasing to $4.59. Unfortunately, it looks like the only thing truly getting bigger these days is the illusion of a good deal. Read the original article on Tasting Table.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Honey Bunches of Oats Maker Post To Shut Two Plants as Cereal Demand Wanes
Post Holdings said Wednesday that it is closing two of its plants, citing a decline in demand for 'ready-to-eat' cereals. Post's two plants, one in Cobourg, Ontario and the other in Sparks, Nevada, employ around 300 people combined and are expected to be shuttered by the end of the year. The cereal maker's brands include Raisin Bran, Honey Bunches of Oats, and Shredded Holdings (POST) said Wednesday that it is closing two of its plants, citing a decline in demand for 'ready-to-eat' cereals. The maker of Raisin Bran, Honey Bunches of Oats, and Shredded Wheat cereals said the two plants—one in Cobourg, Ontario and the other in Sparks, Nevada—employ around 300 people combined and are expected to be shuttered by the end of the year. Production will be instead transferred to other manufacturing sites, the company said. "The ready-to-eat cereal category continues to decline,' Post Consumer Brands President and CEO Nicolas Catoggio said. 'To respond to this, we are reducing excess manufacturing capacity and optimizing our North American plant network to better utilize our production capacity." Last month, Lucky Charms cereal maker General Mills (GIS) issued a downbeat outlook following a 'slowdown in U.S. snacking categories, and softer demand in U.S. away-from-home food channels." Post shares were little changed in recent trading. They've gained about 11% in the past 12 months. Read the original article on Investopedia Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Costco's Best Deals Under $10 This Month
These 12 products offer the best deals under $10 this month at Costco. The products are on sale now for a limited is here, and there's no better time to stock up on spring essentials—especially when Costco is offering deals on some of our favorite products. From crispy Honey Bunches of Oats that'll fuel your day to buttery garlic shrimp that makes dinner easy, these deals are here to fill your cart without stretching your budget. Don't wait to grab these April finds—some of them won't last long! Deal: $8.99 (-$5.00 until 4/13) Need a sip of nostalgia? Sunny D brings a burst of citrusy sweetness with just the right amount of tang—perfect for refreshing spring days. Stock up on this 30-pack while it's on sale to enjoy the drink chilled on its own or as a tasty mixer for seasonal beverages. Deal: $7.29 (-$2.00 until 4/27) This classic sauce brings rich, homestyle flavor to every meal, whether you're making a hearty spaghetti dinner or a cozy baked ziti. With three large bottles in each pack, this spring sale is the perfect chance to fill your pantry and simplify mealtime. Deal: $7.49 (-$2.50 until 4/6) Dot's Homestyle Pretzels are one of our favorite crunchy, flavor-packed snacks with a signature buttery, seasoned twist. They're perfect for road trips, spring picnics, or just munching on straight out of the bag. Deal: $7.49 (-$2.50 until 4/13) These fan-favorite cookies are irresistibly crisp and packed with buttery, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chips. When your sweet tooth calls, these treats are almost always the answer. Deal: $4.89 (-$1.70 until 4/6) These fan-favorite chips are made with simple ingredients and fried with avocado oil for a lighter snack. With their rich, savory flavor, they're a great choice for spring picnics, parties, or anytime you need a crunchy bite. Deal: $5.99 (-$2.00 until 4/20) You won't be fully set for spring baking without this essential ingredient. It's a must-have in every kitchen, so don't miss out on this chance to stock up at a low price. Deal: $9.99 (-$3.00 until 4/13) Motor City Pizza Co. brings the authentic Detroit-style pizza right to your oven, with a thick, crispy crust and double the pepperoni for extra flavor. With two pizzas in each pack, it's a perfect meal to share or keep on hand for quick and delicious springtime dinners. Deal: $8.99 (-$3.50 until 4/6) You know those people who think everything is better with ranch? Yeah, that's us. With Hidden Valley Ranch Homestyle Dressing and Topping, you can add a zesty, herby ranch twist to nearly any meal, making it a hit with the whole family. Deal: $5.59 (-$2.30 until 4/6) Bringing the perfect balance of crispy flakes and crunchy clusters, Honey Bunches of Oats is a staple cereal in our pantries. With two bags per box and a generous 50-ounce size, this deal will definitely be added to our carts. Deal: $7.99 (-$4.00 until 4/6) This variety pack delivers a mix of Clear Mind, Island Mango, and Superberry flavors, packed with probiotics and organic ingredients. Whether you're craving a crisp, herbal boost or a fruity, tropical sip, this six-pack is a delicious way to stay refreshed and energized this spring. Deal: $9.99 (-$5.00 until 4/6) This fan-favorite freezer find makes dinnertime effortless with tender shrimp coated in rich, savory garlic butter. With two 16-ounce bags, it's perfect for quick weeknight meals—just sauté, serve over pasta or rice, and enjoy. Deal: $6.99 (-$2.20 until 4/13) Frosted Flakes' crispy, sweet taste never goes out of style, making breakfast easy and delicious. With two big bags in each box, there's plenty to keep everyone happy all month long. Read the original article on ALLRECIPES
