Aldi has once again secured its title as the UK’s most budget-friendly supermarket according to consumer advocates at Which?. Which? monitors grocery prices daily and unveils the most economical stores monthly. Throughout 2025, Aldi claimed the top spot as the cheapest supermarket for ten out of the twelve months, marking its fifth consecutive year in this position.
In December, Aldi outshone its competitors with an average cost of £123.60 for a set of 68 items. Lidl followed closely behind, with an average cost of £123.70 for both Lidl Plus members and non-members. Lidl managed to clinch the title of the cheapest supermarket in July and October last year. The average price difference between Aldi and Lidl for the entire year was a mere 77p.
For the same set of 68 items, Asda customers spent an average of £134.89 in December, while Tesco Clubcard holders paid £135.84, or £139.12 without a Clubcard. Sainsbury’s Nectar card holders forked out £141.45, or £143.74 without the card. Meanwhile, Waitrose emerged as the priciest supermarket for the 68-item list, with a total of £170.46 in December.
Research from Which? revealed that Waitrose cost on average 35% more than Aldi throughout 2025. The comparison also extended to the cost of a larger weekly shop comprising 180 items. Notably, Aldi and Lidl were excluded from this comparison due to their smaller product range. In December, Asda took the lead for the larger list of 180 items, with an average bill of £450.82.
According to Which?, Tesco Clubcard holders spent an average of £462 in December for the same items, while non-Clubcard holders paid £493.53. Morrisons shoppers faced bills of £466.04 with a loyalty discount or £467.46 without, and Sainsbury’s Nectar holders paid £468.61, while non-members paid £501.89.
Waitrose maintained its position as the priciest option for the larger shopping list, with an average bill of £529.17. The analysis by Which? factored in special offers and loyalty prices but excluded multi-buy promotions.
Reena Sewraz, Which? Retail Editor, emphasized Aldi’s consistent affordability, stating that while Lidl remains a strong contender, Aldi consistently offers the lowest prices. She highlighted Asda as a good choice for shoppers seeking a wider range of branded goods at competitive prices. With food costs remaining a concern for many households, the importance of comparing prices across supermarkets was underscored as a significant money-saving strategy.