Aldi has regained its position as the most cost-effective supermarket in the UK, according to recent findings. A study conducted by consumer group Which? revealed that a basket of 70 essential items at Aldi averaged £121.22 last month, narrowly beating out rival budget chain Lidl, which priced the same goods at £122.35 on average, or £1.13 more for members of its Lidl Plus loyalty program. Meanwhile, Tesco’s 70-item basket was slightly pricier, but Clubcard holders saved an average of £2.55, bringing the total to £133.65 compared to £136.20.
On the higher end of the spectrum, Waitrose emerged as the most expensive option, with an average cost of £166.79 for the same items. Opting to purchase all groceries from either Aldi or Waitrose would result in a savings of over £45 for a family.
Which? conducts this comparison monthly among eight supermarket chains using a selection of both own-label and branded products like Birds Eye peas, Hovis bread, and essentials such as milk and butter.
In a separate analysis of 183 items, excluding Aldi and Lidl due to their limited range of branded products, Asda was identified as the most economical choice, with an average total of £455.52 last month. Asda aims to regain market share lost to competitors, including discount stores, by reducing prices.
The report also highlighted that Waitrose was the priciest option for a larger grocery shop, costing £522.91, which was £67.39 more expensive than Asda. For a smaller list of items, Waitrose remained the most costly at an average of £166.79, reflecting a 38% difference compared to Aldi, equating to savings of £45.57.
Reena Sewraz, Which? retail editor, emphasized the ongoing competition between discount supermarkets, noting that shopping at Lidl is also a savvy choice for saving money. With Christmas approaching, food prices are a concern for many households, but the analysis underscores the importance of comparing prices across supermarkets to potentially save up to 27%.
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