THE UK’s cheapest supermarket for a weekly shop in July has been revealed – and it’s not Tesco or Lidl.
Consumer campion Which? compared the average prices of a shop of 63 items including popular groceries at eight of the country’s biggest supermarkets.
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The analysis found that Aldi was the cheapest supermarket, with groceries costing £113.87 on average across the month.
Lidl was just behind Aldi’s ranking, with a shopping costing £116.24 on average – £2.37 more.
Waitrose was named the most expensive supermarket in July, with a basket of groceries totalling £146.9 on average, which is 29% more expensive than Aldi.
The list of products analysed included a number of both branded and own-brand items, such as Heinz baked beans, Hovis bread, milk and butter.
It also took into account special offer prices and loyalty prices where applicable, but not multi-buys.
Tesco Clubcard members would have paid £127.50 – which is £13.63 more than Aldi.
Without a Clubcard, the Tesco shop would cost £130.27, Which? said.
For those using a Sainsbury’s Nectar card, July’s shopping list of items cost £129.81, which is £15.94 more than at Aldi and still higher than the prices at Lidl and Asda.
Without a Nectar card, the same items at Sainsbury’s cost £134.41.
Ele Clark, Which? retail editor, said: “Our latest monthly analysis has once again seen Aldi retaining its crown as the UK’s cheapest supermarket.
“With the ongoing pressure of high food prices on household budgets, it’s no surprise that many people are turning to the discounters to save money.
“Consumers could save over £30 simply by switching supermarkets, which goes to show how beneficial it can be to shop around.”
Aldi came out top on previous months including in May and June – and was found to have the lowest prices in every month so far this year.
Last year, the supermarket was found to be cheapest overall by Which?.
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How does your supermarket rank?
Every month, Which?’s looks at eight of the UK’s biggest supermarkets and compares the cost of dozens of everyday essentials.
In July, it found that the average cost of a shop at the following supermarkets was:
- Aldi – £113.87
- Lidl – £116.24
- Asda – £125.61
- Tesco (with Clubcard) – £127.50
- Sainsbury’s (with Nectar card) – £129.81
- Tesco (without Clubcard) – £130.27
- Morrisons – £133.28
- Sainsbury’s (without Nectar card) – £134.41
- Ocado – £140.76
- Waitrose – £146.98
The pricing analysis from shows that shoppers can save considerable amounts on groceries depending on where they buy their food.
Elsewhere, shoppers have been sprinting to get to their nearest Aldi store, eager to nab an “absolute bargain” buy from the middle aisle.
Posting on Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group, a private Facebook group with 2.5 million members, a shopper shared a snap of her purchase – the Belavi Lattice Wooden Planter.
Alongside her post, Serena penned: “£5 in Aldi.”
She then beamed: “Absolute bargain.”
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.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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