Aldi has regained its title as the most economical supermarket in the UK. Recent research by consumer group Which? revealed that a typical shopping list of 70 items at Aldi averaged £121.22 last month, edging out Lidl by a small margin. Lidl, previously recognized as the cheapest in October, priced the same groceries at £122.35 on average, or £1.13 more for members of its Lidl Plus loyalty program. In comparison, Tesco’s 70-item list was pricier, but Clubcard holders saved an average of £2.55, paying £133.65 compared to £136.20.
On the other end of the spectrum, Waitrose emerged as the most expensive option, averaging £166.79 for the same items. Opting for Aldi or Waitrose for a full shopping list could result in savings exceeding £45.
Which? conducts this comparison monthly, analyzing the costs of a selected range of groceries across eight supermarket chains. The list includes both store-brand products and popular brands like Birds Eye and Hovis, along with essentials such as milk and butter.
In a broader comparison of 183 grocery items that excludes Aldi and Lidl due to their limited branded offerings, Asda was found to be the most cost-effective, averaging £455.52 last month. Asda aims to reduce prices to recapture market share lost to competitors, including discount retailers. According to Which?, shopping at Asda for the same items would have been £9.71 cheaper than at Tesco with Clubcard discounts.
Conversely, Waitrose stood out as the priciest choice for the larger grocery list, totaling £522.91 and exceeding Asda’s costs by £67.39. Additionally, Waitrose was the most expensive for the smaller item list, averaging £166.79, which was 38% more than at Aldi, translating to a £45.57 difference.
Reena Sewraz, Which? retail editor, emphasized the ongoing competition between discounters like Aldi and Lidl, highlighting Lidl as another money-saving option. Asda maintains its reputation as one of the UK’s most affordable supermarket choices, offering a wider selection of branded goods. With Christmas approaching, households are advised to shop around for the best deals, as a simple switch in supermarkets could save up to 27%.
[Price Comparison based on 70 items]
– Aldi: £121.22
– Lidl (including loyalty discount): £122.35
– Lidl: £122.40
– Asda: £133.59
– Tesco (including loyalty discount): £133.65
– Tesco: £136.20
– Morrisons: £137.40
– Sainsbury’s (including loyalty discount): £137.77
– Sainsbury’s: £141.62
– Ocado: £154.37
– Waitrose: £166.79
[Price Comparison based on 183 items]
– Asda: £455.52
– Tesco (including loyalty discount): £465.23
– Sainsbury’s (including loyalty discount): £471.84
– Morrisons (including loyalty discount): £476.96
– Morrisons: £478.96
– Tesco: £497.01
– Ocado: £501.03
– Sainsbury’s: £507.24
– Waitrose: £522.91