These low-cost brands help shoppers save on food & essentials. Where to find them in NC
Three of the biggest retailers in the United States have rolled out low-cost brands over the past year, intending to help shoppers save money on a variety of items.
The low-cost brands were launched amid a trend of price increases, particularly on groceries, which has continued into 2025. Economists are concerned about price increases that could result from President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on Canada and Mexico, and costs of certain items, such as eggs, have been on the rise, in part due to the spread of bird flu.
Amazon, Walmart and Target’s private-label lines include food and pantry staples, home goods, fashion, electronics and beauty products.
Here’s an overview of the low-cost brands and how to shop them.
Low-cost items available in Amazon Haul
Amazon unveiled Haul, a shopping platform filled with items priced at $20 or less, in November, ahead of the holidays.
The majority of fashion, home, lifestyle, electronics and other products available through Haul cost less than $10. Haul shoppers also receive discounts when they make larger purchases — 5% off orders of at least $50 and 10% off orders of at least $75.
“Finding great products at very low prices is important to customers, and we continue to explore ways that we can work with our selling partners so they can offer products at ultra-low prices,” Dharmesh Mehta, the vice president of Worldwide Selling Partner Services at Amazon, said in a news release announcing Haul.
Shoppers can browse the products on the Amazon Shopping app. The design looks similar to that of Shein or Temu, two popular fast-fashion retailers, with animated banners and graphics indicating popular items.
Some Amazon shoppers may be used to free expedited shipping, which is a perk for Prime members. But shopping on Haul is different: Unless a customer makes a purchase over $25, there’s a $3.99 shipping fee, and instead of one-day, two-day or same-day shipping, Haul orders take a week or two to be delivered.
Low-cost groceries available through Amazon Saver
Amazon Saver was introduced in September as a “no-frills brand that will help grocery budgets go further.”
Most of the private-label items available through Amazon Saver are priced at less than $5, and Amazon Prime members get an additional 10% off the products.
At the time the brand was announced, Amazon said it would add more than 100 items to the selection over time. Customers can shop for breakfast items including oats and syrup, deli meat, crackers and cookies, canned fruits and vegetables, and spices and seasonings.
The Amazon Saver launch was in conjunction with price cuts across thousands of grocery items for Prime members through Amazon Fresh, the company’s online and physical grocery store.
Shop Amazon Saver at amazon.com.
Low-cost groceries included in Walmart’s Bettergoods
Walmart’s launch of Bettergoods was the Arkansas-based retailer’s largest private-brand debut in decades.
“Unlike many private brands that provide direct alternatives to national brand offerings at a lower price, many Bettergoods items are totally unique to Walmart, introducing customers to new and exciting flavors and concepts,” according to a news release announcing the brand launch.
Most of the 300 items in the brand cost less than $5, and prices range from less than $2 to $15.
The food items fall into three categories:
- Culinary experiences: These products feature “innovative recipes, elevated ingredients and food-trend forward offerings.”
- Plant-based: Green branding marks these items, which include non-dairy frozen desserts and plant-based cheese alternatives.
- “Made Without”: These products are geared toward specific dietary restrictions and lifestyle choices. They include gluten-free options and items made without certain ingredients, such as artificial flavors, colors or added sugars.
Shop Bettergoods in person at Walmart stores or at walmart.com. There are nearly 200 Walmart locations across North Carolina.
Low-cost essentials available through Target’s Dealworthy
The Minnesota-based retailer Target began rolling out its Dealworthy brand in February 2024.
Nearly 400 “everyday no-frills basics” are included in the brand, and most of them are priced under $10.
Dealworthy products, including laundry detergent, toothbrushes, undergarments and paper plates, are found in apparel and accessories, essentials and beauty, electronics and home items.
“With the introduction of our newest owned brand, Dealworthy, consumers can shop hundreds of everyday basics at incredibly low prices, without sacrificing quality for the price,” Rick Gomez, Target’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer, said in a news release. “We know that value is top of mind for consumers, and Dealworthy, backed by our owned brand promise, will not only appeal to our current guests but position us to attract even more new shoppers to Target.”
Shop Dealworthy in person at Target stores or at target.com. There are dozens of Target locations across North Carolina, and more on the way.
This story was originally published February 13, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
