THE UK’s cheapest supermarket for May 2024 has been named – and shoppers could save almost £37 on each shop.
Consumer group Which? compared prices on 69 products from eight supermarkets last month.
Shoppers could save £36.57 buying a weekly shop at the cheapest supermarket, compared to the most expensive, according to analysis.
The monthly data compares the price of essentials at eight of the biggest UK supermarkets to find where costs the most, and least.
And in February, Aldi stole the crown as the cheapest shop with a trolley costing £121.56 on average.
Lidl was just behind Aldi in this month’s ranking, costing £3.32 more – £124.88 on average.
Waitrose was the most expensive shop, with a basket of groceries totalling £158.13 on average, which is 30% more expensive than Aldi.
This is a difference of £36.57.
SHOPPING LIST
The list of 69 items included a number of both branded and own-brand items, such as Birds Eye Garden Peas, Heinz baked beans, Hovis bread, milk and butter.
The analysis includes special offer prices but not multi-buys or two-tier loyalty prices, which are only available to loyalty scheme members.
This latest pricing analysis from Which? demonstrates that shoppers can make considerable savings on their groceries depending on where they buy their food.
Ele Clark, Which?’s retail editor, said: “Our latest monthly analysis has once again seen Aldi retain its title as the UK’s cheapest supermarket.
“With food prices continuing to squeeze household budgets, it comes as no surprise that many people are choosing to shop with the discounters, especially as shoppers could save a significant amount of money by doing so.”
SWITCH AND SAVE
Which?’s analysis includes special offer prices but not multi-buys or loyalty discounts.
However, it doesn’t include loyalty card scheme prices because they aren’t available to everyone.
These prices are often lower than the shelf price but they are only available to customers who are signed up to their loyalty scheme.
It is also worth bearing in mind that supermarket prices fluctuate all the time.
This analysis gives a snapshot of prices to give shoppers an idea of where they might be able to save some cash on their next supermarket shop.
Below we have some more tips that could help you cut down when it comes to your food bill.
How to save money 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.