Press release

Aldi was the cheapest supermarket in May, Which? reveals

Aldi has beaten rival Lidl to be named as the cheapest supermarket in May, 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 69 items in May was Aldi, where the groceries cost £121.56 on average across the month. 

Fellow discounter Lidl was just behind Aldi, costing £3.32 more (£124.88 on average).

Waitrose was the most expensive supermarket last month, totalling £158.13 - a difference of £36.57 compared to Aldi - 30 per cent more.

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? 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.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Full table of results for May (based on 69 items):

RetailerAverage price
Aldi
£121.56
Lidl
£124.88
Asda
£137.91
Tesco
£138.84
Sainsbury's
£142.33
Morrisons
£144.36
Ocado
£147.64

Background

Each month Which? compares how much supermarkets charge for a selection of groceries (this month 69 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.

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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.