Aldi reclaimed its position as the most budget-friendly supermarket in the UK, according to recent research by consumer group Which?. The study compared the prices of a set of 70 items at various supermarkets. Aldi came out on top with an average cost of £121.22, narrowly beating Lidl, which had an average price of £122.35 for the same items, or £1.13 more for members of its loyalty scheme. Tesco, although pricier, offered savings for Clubcard members, with an average cost of £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 all groceries could result in savings of over £45 for a family.
The comparison by Which? is a monthly exercise that assesses the prices of a selection of groceries at eight different supermarket chains. The list of 70 items includes both own-label products and popular brands like Birds Eye and Hovis.
Additionally, Which? conducted a comparison of 183 groceries, excluding Aldi and Lidl due to their limited range of branded products. Asda stood out as the cheapest for this larger shopping list, costing an average of £455.52 last month. Asda’s commitment to reducing prices to compete with rivals, including discount stores, has been evident.
Asda’s prices were notably lower than Tesco’s, with a difference of £9.71 for the same items when utilizing a Clubcard. In contrast, Waitrose was the most expensive for the larger shopping list at £522.91, showcasing a significant price gap compared to Asda.
Reena Sewraz, Which? retail editor, highlighted that while Aldi is the current cost leader, Lidl also offers significant savings each month. Asda continues to be a competitive option for those seeking a wider range of branded goods. With the holiday season approaching, the analysis emphasizes the importance of comparing prices to potentially save up to 27% by choosing the right supermarket.
The price breakdown based on 70 items showed Aldi leading at £121.22, followed closely by Lidl at £122.35, and Asda at £133.59. For a larger list of 183 items, Asda maintained its affordability at £455.52, while Waitrose remained the most expensive at £522.91.