Aldi has been recognized as the most cost-effective supermarket in 2025 according to consumer advocates at Which?. Which? regularly monitors grocery prices and discloses the most budget-friendly stores monthly. Throughout 2025, Aldi topped the list as the cheapest supermarket in ten out of 12 months, solidifying its position as the UK’s most economical supermarket for the fifth consecutive year.
In December, Aldi stood out as the most affordable supermarket for a selection of 68 items, with an average monthly cost of £123.60. Lidl followed closely in second place, trailing by just 10p with an average expenditure of £123.70 for both Lidl Plus members and non-members in December.
Last year, Lidl claimed the title of the cheapest supermarket twice, in July and October, with a mere 77p average monthly price difference compared to Aldi. When examining the same set of 68 items at Asda, the average cost in December was £134.89, while Tesco Clubcard holders paid £135.84 and non-members paid £139.12.
Meanwhile, Sainsbury’s Nectar cardholders spent £141.45 in December, or £143.74 without a Nectar card. Waitrose emerged as the priciest supermarket for the 68-item list, totaling £170.46 in December, costing 35% more on average than Aldi throughout 2025 based on Which? research. The analysis also encompassed the cost of a larger weekly shopping list comprising 180 items.
Aldi and Lidl were excluded from this comparison due to their limited product range. Asda claimed the lowest costs in December for the extended list of 180 items, with an average bill of £450.82. Tesco Clubcard holders spent an average of £462 in December for the same items, while non-Clubcard holders paid £493.53.
Customers shopping at Morrisons faced a bill of £466.04 with a loyalty discount or £467.46 without one. Sainsbury’s Nectar cardholders paid £468.61, whereas non-members paid £501.89. For the larger shopping list, Waitrose showcased the highest prices, with an average bill of £529.17. The analysis by Which? considered special offers and loyalty prices but excluded multi-buy deals.
Reena Sewraz, Which? Retail Editor, highlighted Aldi’s continued success as the UK’s most budget-friendly supermarket for the fifth consecutive year. Sewraz emphasized Aldi’s consistent affordability compared to Lidl, underlining the importance of price-conscious shopping habits in light of rising food costs.