10 Premium Brands Hiding Behind Costco and Aldi Labels
Many shoppers assume store brands are lower quality, but that is not always true. Some products sold under Costco and Aldi private labels come from the same manufacturers that produce well-known national brands. In some cases, the ingredients, factories, and quality standards are nearly identical. The biggest difference is the label on the package, which means shoppers often pay less for something very similar to the name-brand version.
Kirkland Signature Batteries and Duracell
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Costco’s Kirkland Signature batteries come from a familiar source. In a 2016 interview with Atlanta’s WSB-TV, Costco CEO Craig Jelinek confirmed that Duracell manufactures Kirkland Signature alkaline batteries. Independent tests have shown they deliver reliable performance for the price. The Kirkland pack usually costs less per battery than the Duracell version sitting nearby on the same shelf, which makes a noticeable difference for shoppers buying batteries in bulk.
Starbucks and the Kirkland Coffee Bag
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Several Kirkland Signature coffee bags once carried a clear Starbucks connection. Packages for House Blend, Espresso, and Decaf stated they were “Custom Roasted by Starbucks Coffee Company.” That wording disappeared from packaging around late 2023 or early 2024 without a public explanation. Starbucks still sells its own French Roast at Costco, while Kirkland K-Cup pods were previously produced through a partnership with Green Mountain Coffee Roasters.
The Kirkland Cranberry Juice Bottle and Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice
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This one is not much of a mystery. Kirkland Signature cranberry juice at Costco actually carries the Ocean Spray name and logo right on the label. Ocean Spray has dominated the U.S. cranberry juice market for decades, so shoppers know exactly who is behind the product. The main difference is the price. The larger Kirkland bottle often costs less per ounce than Ocean Spray bottles sold at regular grocery stores.
Kimberly-Clark and Kirkland Diapers
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Kirkland Signature diapers are also made by a well-known manufacturer. In a 2017 Wall Street Journal interview, Costco CFO Richard Galanti confirmed that Kimberly-Clark, the company behind Huggies, produces Kirkland diapers. The deal included one condition: Huggies would remain the only other diaper brand sold at Costco. At the time, Kirkland diapers cost about $0.18 each, while Huggies ran closer to $0.24. For parents buying large boxes, that difference adds up.
Kirkland Signature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil at Costco
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Some home cooks frequently rank this oil above expensive boutique brands because it carries authentic Italian certifications. Certified by Bureau Veritas, this oil undergoes strict testing to ensure it is 100% extra virgin and traceable to Italian groves. Interestingly, some bottled oils at luxury grocers lack this level of transparency or purity. Now, you can get a Mediterranean staple that professional chefs regularly use, but on a budget.
Reynolds and the Kirkland Foil
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Kirkland Signature aluminum foil comes from a familiar name. The foil is made by Reynolds, a company known for its aluminum products since the 1940s, and the Reynolds name even appears on Costco’s packaging. The Kirkland roll is designed for heavier, commercial-style use, so it tends to be thicker and stronger than many grocery store versions. Despite that, it usually costs less per square foot than Reynolds Wrap sold elsewhere.
Jelly Belly and the Kirkland Jelly Beans
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Jelly Belly beans at Costco are easy to recognize because they are sold under the Jelly Belly name. The large 4-pound container usually includes about 49 different flavors and often costs less per pound than smaller packages at other stores. The brand also carries a bit of history. Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan famously loved Jelly Belly beans and helped bring national attention to the company.
Aldi’s Millville Cereal and Malt-O-Meal
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The Millville cereal at Aldi is connected to a familiar cereal maker. A 1998 CDC recall notice identified Millville Toasted Oats as a product manufactured by Malt-O-Meal, which helped confirm the link between the brands. Malt-O-Meal, now part of Post Holdings, has long produced private-label cereals for major retailers. Many Millville cereals sell for noticeably less than similar name-brand versions on grocery store shelves.
Aldi’s Little Salad Bar Products Come From Fresh Express
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Aldi’s Little Salad Bar salads come from a well-known producer. Several FDA recall notices, including ones from 2020 and 2021, identified Fresh Express as the company that makes some of these packaged salads. Fresh Express is one of the largest salad producers in the United States. At Aldi, Little Salad Bar includes options like garden salads and chopped kits, which often sell for less than similar Fresh Express bags at regular grocery stores.
Schreiber Foods Makes Aldi’s Happy Farms Cream Cheese
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A May 2024 Aldi recall notice revealed who makes Happy Farms cream cheese. The document identified Schreiber Foods as the manufacturer behind the product. Schreiber is one of the largest dairy producers in the United States and supplies cream cheese to retailers nationwide. At Aldi, Happy Farms is usually sold at a lower price than well-known brands such as Philadelphia Cream Cheese.