A supermarket that was the most expensive for a basket of essentials a year ago is now almost as cheap as Aldi. Last June, Asda's bill for eight key items including bread, butter, beans, milk, tea bags, coffee, chicken and beef mince came to £13.74, 5% more than Aldi at £13.09. Now, the two are just 1p apart in the latest weekly price comparison, with Aldi at £13.33 and Asda at £13.34.
Current Supermarket Rankings
The cheapest overall is Lidl at £13.22, a position it has held since mid-December. Tesco is the most expensive for the second week running at £13.75, slightly more than Sainsbury's £13.73 and 2% more than Morrisons' £13.43.
Price Changes This Week
Only two slight changes occurred: Lidl increased the cost of a tin of beans from 27p to 28p, and Asda dropped the price of its 250g butter to £1.98, the first time any retailer has dropped it below £1.99 for some time.
Methodology and Disagreements
This comparison has tracked product costs since March 2022, focusing on the cheapest items including budget ranges such as Morrisons' Savers, Sainsbury's Stamford Street, and Asda's Just Essentials. However, not all retailers agree with the findings. Aldi argues that the products are not like-for-like, stating its Diplomat Red Label tea bags and coffee are of higher quality, and its beans tins are heavier.
An Aldi spokesperson said: “Our customers know they can always count on us for great value across the board, without needing to join a club or show a loyalty card. That’s why Which? has named us Cheapest Supermarket of the Year for five years running.”
Sainsbury's also noted that the review of a limited number of products does not reflect the fantastic value customers will find in store, and it is committed to offering great choice and value.
A spokesperson for Asda said: “Asda is delivering unbeatable value on the products families buy most, from everyday essentials to the big brands they know and love. With thousands of products already cheaper than Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s, including their loyalty card prices, independent surveys consistently recognise Asda as the best-value full-range supermarket, with low prices available to all.”
Weekly Price Breakdown
Lidl - Total: £13.22
- Loaf of white bread 800g - 55p
- Milk 2 pints - £1.20
- Coffee 200g - £2.09
- Tea bags 240 pack - £2.75 (equates to £1.83 for 160)
- Salted butter 250g - £1.99
- Beans 420g tin - 28p (up from 27p)
- Chicken 300g - £2.19
- Mince 500g 25% fat - £3.09
Aldi - Total: £13.33
- Loaf of bread 800g - 55p
- Milk 2 pints - £1.20
- Coffee 200g - £2.09
- Teabags 160 - £1.85
- Salted butter 250g - £1.99
- Beans 420g tin - 27p
- Chicken 300g - £2.29
- Mince 500g 25% fat - £3.09
Asda - Total: £13.34
- Loaf of white bread 800g - 55p
- Milk 2 pints - £1.20
- Coffee 200g (2 x 100g) - £2.30
- Teabags 160 (4 x 40-pack) - £1.60
- Salted butter 250g - £1.98 (down from £1.99)
- Beans 410g tin - 28p
- Chicken 300g - £2.50 for 320g (equates to £2.34 for 300g)
- Mince 500g 20% fat - £3.09
Morrisons - Total: £13.43
- Loaf of white bread 800g - 55p
- Milk 2 pints - £1.20
- Coffee (2 x 100g) - £2.30
- Teabags 160 (2 x 80-pack Savers) - £1.84
- Salted butter 250g - £1.99
- Beans - 27p
- Chicken 300g - £2.41 for 330g (equates to £2.19 for 300g)
- Mince 500g 25% fat - £3.09
Sainsbury's - Total: £13.73
- Loaf of bread 800g - 55p
- Milk 2 pints - £1.20
- Coffee 200g - £2.30
- Teabags 160 - £1.85
- Salted butter 250g - £1.99
- Beans 400g tin - 30p
- Chicken 300g - £2.44 for 320g (equates to £2.29 for 300g)
- Mince 500g 20% fat - £3.25
Tesco - Total: £13.75
- Loaf of white bread 800g - 55p
- Milk 2 pints - £1.20
- Coffee 200g (2 x 100g) - £2.30
- Teabags 160 (2 x 80-pack) - £1.84
- Salted butter 250g - £1.99
- Beans 420g tin - 28p
- Chicken 300g - £2.50 for 320g (equates to £2.34 for 300g)
- Mince 500g 20% fat - £3.25
