Lidl has claimed the title of the cheapest supermarket for a basket of essential groceries, after matching Aldi's 11% price cut on tea bags. The Manchester Evening News reported last week that Aldi had become the cheapest for a basket of essential items for the first time since early December, with a total of £13.13. That followed Aldi's price drop on its Diplomat Red Label tea bags from £1.85 to £1.65 for a box of 160.
Both Sainsbury's and Tesco matched that cut with their own brands, but this week Lidl followed suit, reducing its Knightsbridge Red Label Tea from £2.75 for a box of 240 to £2.45, equating to £1.63 for 160. This brought Lidl's total basket cost down from £13.31 to £13.11, making it the cheapest of the six major retailers surveyed.
Basket Breakdown
The basket includes eight items: 800g loaf of white bread, 2 pints of milk, 200g coffee, tea bags (standardised to 160 bags), 250g salted butter, tinned beans, 300g chicken breasts, and 500g beef mince. Lidl's total of £13.11 edges out Aldi's £13.13. Asda came third at £13.29, followed by Sainsbury's at £13.37, Tesco at £13.50, and Morrisons at £13.53, the most expensive for the second consecutive week.
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.”
Retailer Responses
Not all retailers agree with the comparison methodology. Aldi has argued that its Diplomat Red Label tea bags and coffee are of higher quality than the comparative products used, and its beans are heavier. Sainsbury's said the "review of a limited number of products does not reflect the fantastic value" customers find in store, emphasising its commitment to 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."
Morrisons stated it "remains committed to providing good, honest value" and is working to keep prices competitive. A spokesperson added: "In addition, our More Card members can earn Five More Points on every product in store, online and in Morrisons Daily stores and also benefit from personalised offers and money-off coupons on the things they buy the most of. Customers to our cafes can also take advantage of a range of offers such as our Kids Eat Free promotion, which runs every day, or free refills on all hot drinks."
Weekly Price Comparison Results
Here are the detailed prices for each supermarket this week:
Lidl: Bread 55p, Milk £1.20, Coffee £2.09, Tea bags £2.45 (240 pack, equates to £1.63 for 160), Butter £1.99, Beans 27p, Chicken £2.29, Mince £3.09. Total: £13.11 (down from £13.31).
Aldi: Bread 55p, Milk £1.20, Coffee £2.09, Tea bags £1.65 (160), Butter £1.99, Beans 27p, Chicken £2.29, Mince £3.09. Total: £13.13.
Asda: Bread 55p, Milk £1.20, Coffee £2.30 (2x100g), Tea bags £1.60 (4x40 pack), Butter £1.98, Beans 28p (410g tin), Chicken £2.29 (300g, down from £2.34), Mince £3.09 (500g, 20% fat). Total: £13.29 (down from £13.34).
Sainsbury's: Bread 55p, Milk £1.20, Coffee £2.30, Tea bags £1.65 (160), Butter £1.99, Beans 30p (400g tin), Chicken £2.29 (300g), Mince £3.09 (500g, 25% fat). Total: £13.37.
Tesco: Bread 55p, Milk £1.20, Coffee £2.30 (2x100g), Tea bags £1.64 (2x80 pack), Butter £1.99, Beans 28p (420g tin), Chicken £2.29 (300g), Mince £3.25 (500g, 20% fat). Total: £13.50.
Morrisons: Bread 55p, Milk £1.20, Coffee £2.30 (2x100g), Tea bags £1.84 (2x80 pack Savers), Butter £1.99, Beans 27p, Chicken £2.29 (300g), Mince £3.09 (500g, 25% fat). Total: £13.53.
