'It's Snobbery When it Comes to Shopping': Denise Van Outen's insights on supermarket own brands

On the trail of thrifty shopping habits, beloved TV presenter Denise Van Outen embarks on a fascinating journey in her new Channel 4 documentary, tackling the high cost of living by advocating for supermarket own brands over their branded counterparts.

Shedding "Snobbery" in Supermarket Shopping

Known for her charismatic persona and deep-dive explorations, Van Outen admits she had to overcome her own "snobbery when it comes to shopping" as the cost of living crisis loomed. This change led her to the so-called "budget supermarkets", where she discovered that frugality does not equate to diminished quality.

"No longer hesitant, I shop confidently in these budget supermarkets and buy their own brand products," she notes, "and I’ve even converted some of my friends and family as well."

Discovering the "Secrets Of The Supermarket Own Brands"

The upcoming documentary, christened 'Secrets Of The Supermarket Own Brands', features Van Outen as she delves into the murky world of own brands, revealing some surprising facts. One of the key takeaways? An astonishing "90% of the supermarket own brands come from the same factories as the known brands", a revelation that is bound to shift consumer perspectives.

Throughout her investigation, Van Outen embarks on a public taste test comparing branded and own brand ice creams, only to reveal they are the same product. The public, blinded by the perception of brand quality, are astounded, an experience Van Outen confesses she would have shared. "You think because sometimes things haven’t got fancy packaging, it’s not necessarily as good. But actually, the product inside is the same quality."

Van Outen's commitment to supermarket own brands extends to her personal life, where she's influenced her daughter, Betsy, to do the same. "She’s going to grow up shopping and being a bit more sensible, rather than spending money frivolously on something that’s just an advertising campaign," the proud mother reports.

The documentary, which also features a Christmas episode, aims to reveal the immense savings achievable by switching to own brand products, particularly during a time when budgets are often stretched thin. Van Outen passionately asserts, "The amount of money people can save when they’re doing a Christmas shop, there’s a massive difference."

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)