Press release

Aldi was the cheapest supermarket in March, Which? reveals

Aldi has beaten rival Lidl to be named as the cheapest supermarket in March, Which? research has found
3 min read

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 71 items was Aldi, where the groceries cost £121.06 on average across the month. 

Fellow discounter Lidl was just behind Aldi in March, costing £1.89 more (£122.95 on average).

Waitrose was the most expensive supermarket this month, totalling £158.52 - a difference of £37.46 compared to Aldi - 31 per cent more.

The list of 71 items included a number of both branded and own-brand items, such as Dolmio pasta sauce, 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? Retail Editor, said:

“Our latest monthly analysis has once again seen Aldi maintain its position as the UK’s cheapest supermarket.

“Given the ongoing strain food prices are putting on household budgets, it comes as no surprise that many people are shopping with the discounters to save money. This is particularly understandable given consumers could save almost £40 simply by switching supermarket.”

ENDS

Notes to editors: 

Full table of results for March (based on 71 items):

RetailerAverage price
Aldi£121.06
Lidl£122.95
Asda£138.31
Tesco£139.23
Sainsbury's£143.48
Morrisons£145.19
Ocado£148.18

Background

Each month Which? compares how much supermarkets charge for a selection of groceries (this month 71 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: 

Cheapest supermarket monthly analysis 

How to spend less at the supermarket 

Which? Food Inflation Tracker

Loyalty cards compared

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.