Consumer champion Which? has once again crowned Aldi as the UK's cheapest supermarket, with a basket of 93 everyday groceries costing £158.05 in July. Lidl followed closely at £160.70, while Waitrose emerged as the priciest option at £226.95 – a staggering 44 per cent more than Aldi for comparable items.
Full Price Comparison for July
The analysis, which compares a standardised shopping list of own-brand and branded products including milk, cheese, and Hovis sliced bread, revealed significant savings for shoppers who choose discounters. Asda took third place at £185.81, proving that loyalty schemes aren't essential to secure a good deal.
Sainsbury's with a Nectar card averaged £187.86, narrowly beating Tesco's Clubcard prices at £188.45 by just 59p. Morrisons and Tesco without a Clubcard tied at £195.63, while Sainsbury's without a loyalty card was one of the most expensive at £197.85, only undercutting Ocado (£209.40) and Waitrose.
Loyalty Card Impact
The research highlights the growing divide between loyalty card holders and non-members. Shoppers without a Clubcard or Nectar card face paying considerably more, with Sainsbury's non-member prices being 25 per cent higher than Aldi's. This reinforces the importance of using loyalty schemes where available, though Asda's competitive pricing shows they're not always necessary.
Expert Insight
Reena Sewraz, Which? Retail Editor, commented: "While inflation remains stable for now, many households will be worried about prices going up in the coming months. The discounters are still the cheapest supermarkets, while Asda beats Sainsbury's and Tesco's loyalty scheme prices according to our analysis."
She added: "When walking into one supermarket over another – or forgetting your loyalty card – can mean paying over 40 per cent more for comparable everyday essentials, switching where you shop is still the fastest way to slash your weekly grocery bill."
Full Table of Results
The table below shows the average price for the 93-item basket and the percentage difference compared to Aldi:
- Aldi: £158.05 (0.00%)
- Lidl: £160.70 (2%)
- Asda: £185.81 (18%)
- Sainsbury's (including Nectar): £187.86 (19%)
- Tesco (including Clubcard): £188.45 (19%)
- Morrisons: £195.63 (24%)
- Tesco (without Clubcard): £195.63 (24%)
- Sainsbury's (without Nectar): £197.85 (25%)
- Ocado: £209.40 (32%)
- Waitrose: £226.95 (44%)
Implications for Shoppers
This latest pricing analysis demonstrates that shoppers can make considerable savings on their groceries depending on where they buy their food. With the cost-of-living crisis still affecting many households, choosing the right supermarket can make a significant difference to weekly budgets.
Which? recommends that consumers compare prices regularly and consider mixing their shopping between discounters and other supermarkets to maximise savings. The findings also suggest that loyalty cards can offer meaningful benefits, but they are not the only factor in securing the best deals.
