Lidl has once again secured the title of the most affordable supermarket, surpassing Aldi as per the latest report by Which?. A typical shopping list of 70 items at Lidl amounted to £120.46 on average in October, or £120.38 for members of its loyalty program, Lidl Plus. In comparison, an equivalent basket at Aldi averaged £121.
Although Aldi has been recognized as the cheapest supermarket 22 times in the last two years, the recent analysis by Which? revealed Lidl’s cost-effective edge. The list of 70 items encompassed both branded and own-label products, including items like Birds Eye Peas, Hovis bread, milk, and butter.
For Tesco customers, the same shopping list would have cost £134.89 last month, or £133.38 with a Clubcard. Similarly, Sainsbury’s shoppers would have paid £139.68, or £136.79 with a Nectar card.
In a broader comparison involving 187 items, Aldi and Lidl were excluded due to their narrower product range compared to other supermarkets. Asda retained its position as the most economical choice for a larger shopping list, priced at £469.11. In contrast, the same items would have totaled £476.11 for Tesco Clubcard holders and £481.34 for Morrisons customers with a More loyalty card.
Waitrose emerged as the priciest option for both smaller and larger shopping lists, costing an average of £163.04 in October. The analysis factored in promotional prices and loyalty discounts where applicable but did not consider multi-buy offers.
Reena Sewraz, Which? Retail Editor, highlighted Lidl’s affordability, stating that it outpaced Aldi once again, proving to be a budget-friendly choice even for non-members of its loyalty program. She also emphasized Asda’s consistent position as one of the most cost-effective supermarkets offering a wider selection of branded goods.
As concerns mount over rising food prices, particularly with the approaching holiday season, the analysis underscores the importance of comparing prices. Choosing one supermarket over another could potentially save consumers up to 26%.