Aldi was the cheapest supermarket in January, Which? finds
Aldi has beaten rival Lidl to be named as the cheapest supermarket in January, Which? research has revealed.
The consumer champion’s monthly analysis involves comparing the average prices of a shop consisting of popular groceries at eight of the UK’s biggest supermarkets.
The cheapest supermarket for a shopping list of 72 items this month was Aldi, where the groceries cost £129.24 on average across the month.
Fellow discounter Lidl was just behind Aldi in January, costing £3.13 more (£132.37 on average).
Waitrose was the most expensive this month, totalling £170.44, a difference of £41.20 compared to Aldi - that’s 32 per cent more.
The analysis includes special offer prices but not multi-buys or loyalty discounts. While there are discounts that can be made through loyalty card schemes, these are only available to people prepared to sign up to loyalty schemes. As not every consumer is able to do so Which? considers it fairer to focus on prices that are available to all.
This latest pricing analysis from Which? demonstrates that shoppers can make considerable savings on their groceries depending on where they buy their food.
With many consumers still struggling to put food on the table, Which? believes it is imperative that the government and supermarkets continue to do everything they can to support vulnerable customers, including by ensuring cheaper budget ranges are available in local convenience stores.
Ele Clark, Which? Retail Editor, said:
“Our latest research has found Aldi held on to its position as the UK’s cheapest supermarket in January.
“With food prices continuing to put immense pressure on household budgets, it’s no surprise to see many people turning to the discounters, especially as shoppers could save 24 per cent by doing so.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Full table of results for January (based on 72 items):
| Retailer | Average price |
| Aldi | £129.24 |
| Lidl | £132.37 |
| Asda | £145.75 |
| Tesco | £149.11 |
| Sainsbury's | £153.50 |
| Morrisons | £156.05 |
| Ocado | £157.15 |
Background
Each month Which? compares how much supermarkets charge for a selection of groceries (this month 72 items). The data are taken, based on availability across supermarkets that month, from our longer list of around 200 items. This list is made up of some of the UK’s most popular groceries, based on industry data on sales value and availability. We include special offers but not loyalty discounts or multibuys.
Because the main list of around 200 groceries remains unchanged from month to month (other than being refreshed occasionally to reflect consumer shopping habits), Which? never shares the full list of products with retailers as we want to avoid any attempt to skew the results. We do not want supermarkets to compete with one another to lower prices only on the items they know they will be judged on. Instead we want retailers to work to make groceries affordable across the depth and breadth of their available lines.
Useful links:
Supermarkets fail to make cheaper food ranges available to most at-risk shoppers
How to spend less at the supermarket
About Which?
Which? is the UK’s consumer champion, here to make life simpler, fairer and safer for everyone. Our research gets to the heart of consumer issues, our advice is impartial, and our rigorous product tests lead to expert recommendations. We’re the independent consumer voice that influences politicians and lawmakers, investigates, holds businesses to account and makes change happen. As an organisation we’re not for profit and all for making consumers more powerful.
The information in this press release is for editorial use by journalists and media outlets only. Any business seeking to reproduce information in this release should contact the Which? Endorsement Scheme team at endorsementscheme@which.co.uk.