Lidl has once again secured the title of the most budget-friendly supermarket, surpassing Aldi for the second time in recent months according to a study by Which?. In October, a shopping list comprising 70 items at Lidl averaged £120.46, or £120.38 for members of its loyalty program, Lidl Plus. In comparison, the identical shopping list at Aldi came to an average of £121.
Over the last 24 months, Aldi had previously been recognized as the cheapest supermarket 22 times, as per analysis by Which?. The list of 70 items included both branded and own-brand products like Birds Eye Peas, Hovis bread, milk, and butter.
For Tesco shoppers, the total bill would have been £134.89 last month, or £133.38 with a Clubcard. Meanwhile, Sainsbury’s totalled £139.68, or £136.79 with a Nectar card.
As part of its comparison, Which? also assessed prices for a broader list of 187 items, where Aldi and Lidl were omitted due to their smaller product range relative to other supermarkets.
In terms of a larger shopping list, Asda emerged as the most economical choice at £469.11. The same shopping list would have cost £476.11 for Tesco Clubcard holders and £481.34 at Morrisons with a More loyalty card.
Waitrose stood out as the priciest option for both a smaller shop, averaging £163.04 in October, and a larger shop.
The analysis by Which? factored in special offer prices and loyalty discounts where applicable, excluding multibuy offers.
Commenting on the findings, Reena Sewraz, Which? Retail Editor, highlighted Lidl’s affordability, stating, “Lidl has clinched the top spot as the UK’s most economical supermarket again, even surpassing Aldi, showcasing its cost-effectiveness even for non-members of its discount scheme.”
She added, “Amid rising food prices and with the festive season approaching, it’s crucial to shop wisely; opting for one supermarket over another could lead to savings of up to 26%.”
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