Lidl has once again secured the title of the most budget-friendly supermarket, surpassing Aldi in a recent comparison by Which? for the second time.
In a study conducted in October, a list of 70 essential items at Lidl averaged £120.46, or £120.38 for members of its loyalty program Lidl Plus. In contrast, an identical basket of goods at Aldi came to an average of £121.
Despite Aldi being recognized as the cheapest supermarket in 22 out of the last 24 months, according to Which? analysis, Lidl has proven to offer more economical prices this time. The shopping list included a mix of branded and own-brand products like Birds Eye Peas, Hovis bread, milk, and butter.
Shoppers at Tesco would have spent £134.89 last month, or £133.38 with a Clubcard, while the total bill at Sainsbury’s amounted to £139.68, or £136.79 with a Nectar card.
For a broader comparison of 187 items, Which? excluded Aldi and Lidl due to their smaller product ranges compared to other supermarkets. Asda emerged as the most cost-effective option for a larger shopping list, priced at £469.11. The same items would have cost £476.11 for Tesco Clubcard holders and £481.34 for Morrisons customers with a More loyalty card.
Waitrose stood out as the priciest option for both small and large shopping lists in October. Which?’s analysis factored in special offer prices and loyalty discounts but did not consider multi-buy promotions.
Reena Sewraz, Which? Retail Editor, commented on the findings, highlighting Lidl’s affordability and Asda’s consistent value for customers seeking a wider selection of branded products. With concerns over rising food prices, especially leading up to the festive season, shopping smartly across supermarkets could result in savings of up to 26%.