Aldi has regained its position as the most affordable supermarket in the UK, according to recent research conducted by consumer group Which?. The study compared the prices of a shopping list comprising 70 items at various supermarkets. On average, the total cost at Aldi was £121.22, narrowly beating Lidl, which previously held the title in October, with an average cost of £122.35 for the same items. Tesco, although pricier, offered savings to Clubcard members, resulting in an average cost of £133.65 compared to £136.20 for non-members.
Conversely, Waitrose emerged as the most expensive supermarket, with an average total cost of £166.79 for the 70-item list. Opting to purchase all groceries from either Aldi or Waitrose could result in savings of over £45 for a family.
Which? conducts this comparison monthly across eight supermarket chains, analyzing prices for a selection of both own-label and branded products like Birds Eye peas and Hovis bread.
Additionally, a larger list of 183 groceries was compared, excluding Aldi and Lidl due to their limited range of branded products. Asda emerged as the most economical choice for this extended shopping list, with an average cost of £455.52 last month. Asda’s commitment to reducing prices to regain market share against competitors, including discount chains, was evident in their pricing strategy.
Furthermore, the analysis revealed that shoppers could save £9.71 by opting for Asda over Tesco for the same items with the use of Clubcard discounts. On the other end of the spectrum, Waitrose was the priciest option for the larger shopping list, costing £522.91 on average, significantly more expensive than Asda.
Reena Sewraz, Which? retail editor, emphasized the importance of comparing prices among supermarkets. While Aldi emerged as the cheapest option, Lidl also offered significant savings. Asda remains a budget-friendly choice for those seeking a wide range of branded products. With Christmas approaching, household concerns about food prices are inevitable, making it essential to shop wisely and potentially save up to 27% by selecting the right supermarket for grocery shopping.