9 Grocery Items Where the Fancy Packaging Is Costing You More

Branded bags of whole bean coffee sit displayed on a store shelf. Recognizing how specialty packaging and marketing inflate the cost of everyday groceries helps shoppers identify items where sleek branding drives up the price tag. Shutterstock.

Grocery packaging is designed to catch your attention, and premium-looking labels can make an ordinary product seem more special. Matte boxes, glass jars, minimalist designs, and words like “artisan” or “small batch” can all create a higher-end impression. But the product inside may not be dramatically different from a less expensive option sitting nearby. When grocery prices are already stretching household budgets, paying extra for presentation can be an easy expense to overlook. Here are nine grocery categories where comparing the package with the product inside could help you keep more money in your cart.

1. Pasta in Decorative Boxes