Asda, which was the most expensive supermarket for a basket of shopping essentials two years ago, is now almost as cheap as Aldi and Lidl. Following a 6% price cut on chicken breasts since last week, the supermarket's basket now costs £13.08, placing it third cheapest behind Lidl at £12.97 and Aldi at £12.99.
The weekly price comparison, which tracks the cost of eight basic items including bread, milk, coffee, tea bags, beans, butter and beef mince, shows Morrisons in fourth place at £13.18, followed by Sainsbury's at £13.23 and Tesco at £13.36.
Price comparison history
Between the end of September 2024 and mid-December that year, Asda was the dearest of the six main supermarkets every week. The comparison has tracked the cost of basics since March 2022, when the cost of living crisis took hold, with Lidl most often coming out cheapest.
The 'most expensive' title has varied more often, mostly being Sainsbury's in the 12 months to May 2026, but Tesco now holds it for a ninth consecutive week. The price difference is largely due to Tesco selling a 500g pack of beef mince for £3.25, while most other supermarkets charge £3.09. Tesco's mince is 20% fat compared to 25% for others, but it doesn't sell a cheaper version, and the comparison always considers the cheapest products available, including budget ranges.
Price changes and retailer responses
This week's only price change was Lidl's beans dropping from 28p to 27p. Last week, shoppers were warned that food inflation will increase into 2027 and beyond due to ongoing disruption in the Middle East and global climate shocks including El Nino.
Not all retailers agree with the comparison's findings. Sainsbury's says the 'review of a limited number of products does not reflect the fantastic value' customers will find in store. Asda says surveys consistently recognise it as the best-value full-range supermarket, with a spokesperson stating: "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."
Morrisons says it 'remains committed to providing good, honest value' and is 'working hard to keep prices down and competitive'. Aldi argues the products aren't like-for-like, saying its own Diplomat Red Label tea bags and coffee are of 'higher quality' and its beans are heavier. 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."
Full list of prices
Lidl: Loaf of white bread 800g - 55p; Milk 2 pints - £1.20; Coffee 200g - £2.09; Tea bags 240 pack - £2.45 (equates to £1.63 for 160); Salted butter 250g - £1.85; Beans 420g tin - 27p (down from 28p); Chicken 300g - £2.29; Mince 500g 25% fat - £3.09. Total: £12.97 (down from £12.98).
Aldi: Loaf of bread 800g - 55p; Milk 2 pints - £1.20; Coffee 200g - £2.09; Teabags 160 - £1.65; Salted butter 250g - £1.85; Beans 420g tin - 27p; Chicken 300g - £2.29; Mince 500g 25% fat - £3.09. Total: £12.99.
Asda: 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 - £1.85; Beans 410g tin - 30p; Chicken 300g - £2.30 for 320g (equates to £2.16 for 300g, down from £2.29); Mince 500g 31% fat - £3.12. Total: £13.08 (down from £13.21).
Morrisons: Loaf of white bread 800g - 55p; Milk 2 pints - £1.20; Coffee (2 x 100g) - £2.30; Teabags 160 (2 x 80-pack Savers) - £1.64; Salted butter 250g - £1.85; Beans 26p; Chicken 300g - £2.52 for 330g (equates to £2.29 for 300g); Mince 500g 25% fat - £3.09. Total: £13.18.
Sainsbury's: Loaf of bread 800g - 55p; Milk 2 pints - £1.20; Coffee 200g - £2.30; Teabags 160 - £1.65; Salted butter 250g - £1.85; Beans 400g tin - 30p; Chicken 300g - £2.44 for 320g (equates to £2.29 for 300g); Mince 500g 25% fat - £3.09. Total: £13.23.
Tesco: Loaf of white bread 800g - 55p; Milk 2 pints - £1.20; Coffee 200g (2 x 100g) - £2.30; Teabags 160 (2 x 80-pack) - £1.64; Salted butter 250g - £1.85; Beans 420g tin - 28p; Chicken 300g - £2.44 for 320g (equates to £2.29 for 300g); Mince 500g 20% fat - £3.25. Total: £13.36.
