Tesco has taken the unfortunate title of the most expensive supermarket for a basket of essential items for the fourth week running, according to a weekly price comparison by the Manchester Evening News. The retailer's total for eight basic items, including bread, milk, butter, beans, tea bags, coffee, chicken, and beef mince, came to £13.75. This marks a 44% increase since the tracking began in 2022, when the same basket cost £9.52.
Sainsbury's Loses Its Long-Standing Position
For the past 12 months, Sainsbury's had been the most expensive supermarket almost every week, except for one week in September 2025 and one week in May 2026. Now, Tesco has overtaken it, with Sainsbury's basket costing £13.73, just 2p less. The comparison uses each supermarket's cheapest own-brand products, such as Sainsbury's Stamford Street, Asda's Just Essentials, Tesco's Stockwell, and Morrisons' Savers.
Lidl Remains Cheapest Since December
Lidl has been the cheapest supermarket since December 2025, with a total of £13.22 for the same basket. Aldi is close behind at £13.33, followed by Asda at £13.34, Morrisons at £13.43, and Sainsbury's at £13.73. Lidl's basket increased by 1p this week due to a price rise on a tin of beans from 27p to 28p. Since tracking began in 2022, Aldi's basket has risen 46% from £9.13, Lidl's 45% from £9.13, and Tesco's 44% from £9.52.
Supermarkets Respond to Findings
Not all retailers agree with the comparison. 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.” Sainsbury's said the 'review of a limited number of products does not reflect the fantastic value' customers will find in store and emphasised its commitment to offering great choice and value. An Asda spokesperson stated: "Asda is delivering unbeatable value on the products families buy most... independent surveys consistently recognise Asda as the best-value full-range supermarket, with low prices available to all."
Full Weekly Price Comparison Results
Here are the detailed prices for each supermarket for the week ending June 27, 2026:
- Lidl: 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. Total: £13.22.
- Aldi: 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. Total: £13.33.
- 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 - £1.98, Beans 410g tin - 28p, Chicken 300g - £2.50 for 320g (equates to £2.34 for 300g), Mince 500g 20% fat - £3.09. Total: £13.34.
- 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) - £1.84, 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. Total: £13.43.
- Sainsbury's: 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. Total: £13.73.
- 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) - £1.84, 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. Total: £13.75.
