THE UK’s cheapest supermarket for a basket of 65 items has been revealed – and it even beats discounted prices at Tesco and Sainsbury’s.
Aldi has beaten rivals again to be crowned the cheapest for your weekly shop in June and is £32.60 less than the most expensive place.
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A basket of essentials will set you back £118.41 at the bargain supermarket, according to Which?.
The consumer group’s monthly price comparison looks at eight of the biggest supermarkets and 65 own-brand and branded goods like Heinz baked beans and Hovis bread, as well as staples such as milk and butter.
It’s the first time its analysis includes member prices.
Member prices are offered at some supermarkets and mean shoppers can get cheaper prices if they are signed up to its loyalty scheme.
Tesco Clubcard members and Sainsbury’s Nectar cardholders can get lower prices when they scan the card or app at the tills.
But the latest research found that Aldi still came out on top.
Which? found that Sainsbury‘s was £14.49 more expensive and Tesco £12.49 more than Aldi.
A weekly shop at Tesco with a Clubcard came in at £130.90 putting it in third place behind Lidl, which was £121.31.
That compares to £134.30 without a Clubcard.
Meanwhile a Sainsbury’s shop with Nectar came in at £132.90, ranking fifth, versus £137.51 without.
The priciest shop was Waitrose where a basket of the items cost £151.01.
The survey just just a snapshot of prices as it looks at a select basket of items.
Prices at supermarkets change frequently – sometimes on a daily basis – and you will find items on offer in one chain one week and then in another the next week.
How does your supermarket rank?
Which?’s monthly analysis looks at eight of the UK’s biggest supermarkets and compares the cost of dozens of everyday essentials.
Here are the results for June:
- Aldi £118.41
- Lidl £121.31
- Tesco (with Clubcard) £130.90
- Asda £131.42
- Sainsbury’s (with Nectar card) £132.90
- Tesco (without Clubcard) £134.30
- Sainsbury’s (without Nectar card) £137.51
- Morrisons £140.19
- Ocado £144.06
- Waitrose £151.01
Aldi came out top on previous months too, and in fact was found to have the lowest prices in every month so far this year.
And in it was also found to be cheapest overall last year by Which?.
It’s the first time that member prices have been inlcuded.
Lidl, Morrisons and Waitrose offer cheaper prices for members. But these were not included in the Which? analysis this month as none of the 65 items were discounted .
While Asda has a loyalty scheme offering points and rewards, it doesn’t do member pricing.
Ele Clark, Which? retail editor, said: “From this month on we will be regularly including loyalty prices in our analysis.
“As member-only pricing continues to grow, Which? believes the sector needs to be properly scrutinised and held to account so that all shoppers – including society’s most vulnerable – can benefit, and no one is misled into believing they’re getting a better deal than they really are.”
How to save on your supermarket shop
THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop.
You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they’ve been reduced.
If the food is fresh, you’ll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time.
Making a list should also save you money, as you’ll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket.
Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too.
This means ditching “finest” or “luxury” products and instead going for “own” or value” type of lines.
Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they’re misshapen or imperfect.
For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50.
If you’re on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too.
Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.
“With food prices continuing to squeeze household budgets, it comes as no surprise that many people are choosing to shop with the discounters, and Aldi has again won the cheapest supermarket title.
“Our analysis shows that Aldi and Lidl are still cheaper than the traditional supermarkets, even when you include loyalty pricing.”
Tesco was the first supermarket to launch cheaper prices for loyalty card holders back in 2019.
But since then others have followed suit.
The Sun first revealed that Salisbury’s was introducing the perk last year and Co-op followed shortly after.
While simply signing up to loyalty schemes is an easy way to get the cheaper prices, it means those who don’t face higher prices at the tills.
Some have criticised the move to exclusive pricing as it can exclude less savvy shoppers, while shoppers are forced to hand over personal data.
M&S ruled out introducing member prices for Sparks loyalty app users after a trial at 49 food halls.
A Sun investigation last year found that Clubcard and Nectar prices were not the cheapest available on shelves.
Tesco made a change to member pricing earlier this year to add unit prices next to Clubcard prices on shelves and online.
Unit prices help shoppers better compare prices if different sized items.
The Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA) is currently reviewing loyalty pricing across the supermarket sector, including if any aspects of loyalty pricing could mislead shoppers or disadvantage groups of shoppers.
It’s due to give an update on its findings in July, before a full report by the end of this year.