For years, I considered Aldi my go-to supermarket for keeping grocery bills low. However, a recent trip to Marks & Spencer changed my perspective on vegetable prices.
Cheaper Vegetables at M&S
While browsing M&S for a birthday cake, I noticed cabbage was 80p, cheaper than the 89p I paid at Aldi the night before. Mushrooms were £1, while Aldi charged £1.29. Other basics like semi-skimmed milk were slightly pricier (£1.75 vs £1.65), but wholemeal bread was same at 75p.
Customer champion Which? has consistently ranked Aldi as the UK's cheapest supermarket in 2026. They said: "Aldi has been named the UK's cheapest supermarket for the sixth consecutive month, according to Which? analysis. The supermarket has kept the momentum from its 2025 overall win, having taken the title across 10 months of the 12. It was only beaten by Lidl in July and October last year."
Longer-Lasting Produce Saves Money
I bought strawberries (£2.25), blueberries (£2.50), roasting potatoes (£2.25), beef mince (£3.75), and eggs (£1.85) for a total of £12.60. After five days, all the fruit remained fresh, unlike Aldi produce which often spoiled within a day or two.
While M&S can be expensive for luxury items, their basic essentials—especially fruits and vegetables—are priced competitively with Aldi. The longer shelf life means less waste, effectively saving money. I plan to buy most of my produce at M&S going forward.
