In a dramatic shift in the ongoing supermarket price war, Aldi has seized the title of the UK's cheapest grocery retailer, narrowly beating its main discount rival just weeks before Christmas.
The Battle of the Baskets: Which? Reveals November's Prices
The latest monthly analysis from consumer champion Which? has delivered a clear winner. By comparing the average cost of a basket containing 70 popular grocery items across eight major UK supermarkets, researchers found that Aldi was the most affordable place to shop in November.
The total for the basket at Aldi averaged £121.22 throughout the month. This placed it just £1.13 cheaper than Lidl, which had held the crown in October. For Lidl shoppers, the same basket cost an average of £122.40, or £122.35 for members of its Lidl Plus loyalty scheme.
The Full Supermarket Price Ranking
The analysis paints a clear picture of the UK's grocery price landscape as households prepare for the festive season. The full ranking for November is as follows:
- Aldi: £121.22 (Cheapest)
- Lidl: £122.40
- Asda: £133.59
- Tesco: £136.20 (£133.65 for Clubcard holders)
- Sainsbury's: £141.62 (£137.77 for Nectar card users)
- Waitrose: £166.79 (Most Expensive)
An Asda spokesperson responded to the findings, stating: "We're continuing to invest in low prices to help protect customers from inflation. That's why Asda is the UK's cheapest full-range supermarket, beating rivals on both base and loyalty prices."
What This Means for Shoppers Before Christmas
With the cost of living and food prices remaining a primary concern for many families, the analysis underscores the significant savings possible by choosing where to shop. Reena Sewraz, Which? Retail Editor, highlighted the key takeaways for consumers.
"While Aldi is the cheapest supermarket this month, the discounters battling it out each month means shopping at Lidl is also a great money-saving option," she said. "The longer list of groceries shows that Asda continues to be one of the UK's cheapest supermarkets and a good option for those who want to choose from a larger range of branded goods."
She offered crucial advice for the coming weeks: "With Christmas just a few weeks away, food prices will be a concern for many households, but our analysis shows it pays to shop around; simply choosing one supermarket over another could save you 27 per cent." This stark figure is the difference between the cost at Aldi and the most expensive retailer, Waitrose.
The tight margin between Aldi and Lidl suggests the competition for the budget-conscious shopper is fiercer than ever, promising continued scrutiny on value as the festive season reaches its peak.
