Do you like me toos in the food world?
These are copies of brands. I suppose they're knockoffs really. They're everywhere now as all the UK stores, probably worldwide, try to replicate the success of known brands with cheaper versions as as happened in the world of toys we know so well.
I eat a lot of me toos.
Just had a chocolate bar called Caramel and Biscuit by Mister Choc from Aldi. OK it won't win any prizes for snappy titles but its a fabulous attempt at a Twix. In fact I would say its even better tasting than a Twix!
Another classic Aldi doppolganger is Titan. Its a Mars Bar lookalike and the black wrapper with huge red lettering says it all. It even tastes like a Mars and once again I think its better.
What do you think of me toos readers?
You'd be surprised where Aldi gets their candybars etc from, Woodsy.
ReplyDeleteDunno about the UK, but over here they sell a chocolate-covered wafer called Olé. Whereas regular supermarkets sell a chocolate wafer called Leo by an A-brand manufacturer. Half a lifetime ago I worked at a packaging design agency that had produced the wrappers for both, both comissioned by that same A-brand manufacturer. Where it turned out the only difference was the printing on those wrappers, all else being exactly identical (well, except Aldi's price being lower of course).
Same thing with the in-house brand crisps of a local belgian discount chain, produced by another A-brand with just a difference in bag graphics and branding.
I wouldn't be surprised if a bit of googling would reveal who actually produced the me-toos you mention. And discover that the difference in taste is probably due to the fact that you know you paid less for exactly the same thing! :)
Best -- Paul
I had a feeling that there was some collusion somewhere in the process Paul! They are just too similar. I wonder why the main brands tolerate this practice?
DeleteWell, the ones that practice the practice gain an extra (exclusive) outlet for their products, and extra revenue as a result. "if you can't lick them, join them" principle at work. Margins will prolly be lower, but volume may be higher.
DeleteThe ones that don't practice the practice will either wish they could, and/or find excuses for themselves whey they "won't stoop" to that sort of thing.
Did have a google out of curiosity, and whoever makes those Aldi lookalikes is keeping it a closely guarded secret by the looks of it... :) Which would make sense too, else everybody would stop buying their own A-brand products!
Best -- Paul
Cheers Paul, very informative.
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