Asda has increased the price of its 320g pack of chicken breasts from £2.30 to £2.44, a 6% rise since last week, causing the supermarket to drop from second to third cheapest behind Lidl and Aldi in a weekly basket comparison.
The comparison, which has tracked the cost of a basket of basics including bread, beans, milk, coffee, tea bags, butter, beef mince and chicken breasts since March 2022, found that Lidl remains the cheapest of the six main supermarkets, a position it has held every week since the end of August.
Price Rise Brings Asda in Line with Rivals
The increase brings Asda's chicken price in line with other retailers, who were already charging £2.29 for a 300g pack, which is the same price pro rata. It is the only price rise in this week's comparison.
The comparison takes into account the cheapest products available at each supermarket, including budget ranges like Asda's Just Essentials, Morrisons' Savers, Tesco's Stockwell products and Sainsbury's Stamford Street range.
Other Supermarkets Respond
The price rise follows recent hikes in the price of beef mince, with Aldi and Sainsbury's both increasing their 25% fat 500g packs from £3.09 to £3.19.
Morrisons remains in fourth place at £13.17, Sainsbury's in fifth place at £13.33, and Tesco, the dearest for a twelfth consecutive week, at £13.36.
Not all retailers agree with the findings of the comparison. Sainsbury's says the 'review of a limited number of products does not reflect the fantastic value' customers will find in store and says it's 'committed to offering customers great choice and value when they shop with us'. Morrisons says it 'remains committed to providing good, honest value' and is 'working hard to keep prices down and competitive so customers can spend less while still enjoying the quality Morrisons is famous for'.
Retailers Defend Their Pricing
Aldi has always argued that the products aren't like-for-like, saying its own Diplomat Red Label tea bags and its coffee are of 'higher quality' than the comparative products used and its tins of beans are heavier than some of the other retailers'.
An Aldi spokesperson told the M.E.N: "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."
Asda says that surveys consistently recognise Asda as the best-value full-range supermarket, with low prices available to all. A spokesperson said: "Families can count on Asda for great value, with low prices on the brands they know and trust, many of which aren’t available in limited-range discounters, as well as thousands of everyday essentials that are cheaper than Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s. Independent price comparisons continue to recognise Asda as the UK’s best-value full-range supermarket."
The full list of prices shows Lidl's basket total at £12.97, Aldi at £13.09, Asda at £13.16 (up from £13.03), Morrisons at £13.17, Sainsbury's at £13.33, and Tesco at £13.36.
