For the seventh month in a row, Aldi has secured its position as the UK's most affordable supermarket, according to the latest price analysis from consumer group Which?. The research, which tracked the cost of a typical shopping trolley in July, found that shoppers opting for Aldi paid a staggering £68.90 less than those who chose Waitrose, the most expensive option.
July basket comparison: Aldi vs. Lidl and beyond
While Aldi took the top spot, its lead over Lidl was a slim £2.65. The average basket of 93 popular branded and own-label products—including staples like milk, bread, beans, potatoes, and cheese—cost £158.05 at Aldi, compared to £160.75 at Lidl. Asda, Sainsbury's, and Tesco rounded out the top five, with less than £3 separating these three retailers.
Which? bases its rankings on a carefully selected basket of everyday items, but the full list is never disclosed to prevent retailers from artificially lowering prices on specific products to game the monthly comparison.
Loyalty cards: a potential £10 saving or a hidden barrier
The research highlights the growing importance of loyalty schemes in supermarket pricing. At major chains like Tesco and Sainsbury's, using a Clubcard or Nectar card can make a significant difference, potentially adding up to £10 to costs if left unused. Which? data indicates that shoppers could save an average of up to five per cent monthly by taking advantage of these schemes.
However, earlier research by Which? revealed that millions of shoppers are excluded from such schemes due to factors including a lack of digital access to register, no fixed UK address, or being under 18 years of age. This raises concerns about the fairness of pricing strategies that heavily rely on loyalty card discounts.
Beyond the top five: Morrisons, Ocado, and Waitrose
When loyalty card discounts are excluded from the calculation, Morrisons emerges as more affordable than both Tesco and Sainsbury's. The remaining positions in the full basket ranking are occupied by Ocado (£209.40) and Waitrose (£226.95), making them the priciest options for shoppers.
Which? also publishes a separate monthly ranking for branded goods only, which excludes discounters Aldi and Lidl. In June, Asda was the cheapest in this category. Sainsbury's, without a Nectar card, was the most costly for a fully branded shop—more than 15 per cent pricier than Asda. However, with a Nectar card, the gap narrowed to just 3.74 per cent, with Morrisons (4.39 per cent), Waitrose (11.28 per cent), and Tesco without a Clubcard (14.26 per cent) all exceeding Asda's prices.
Impact on household budgets
The findings come as new data indicates that the average household spent £5,530 on groceries over the 12 months to July 2026, an increase of £156 compared to the same period last year. This rise underscores the importance of choosing the right supermarket to manage food bills effectively.
“Our analysis shows that shoppers can make significant savings by choosing the right supermarket, but loyalty schemes can also create inequalities,” said a Which? spokesperson. “We urge retailers to make their pricing more transparent and accessible to all consumers.”
