Aldi has become the cheapest supermarket for a basket of essential groceries, ending Lidl's run as the most affordable almost every week since December. The change follows a 7% price cut on butter by Aldi, bringing its total to £12.99, while Lidl's basket now costs £13.11.
Lidl had been the cheapest in the weekly price comparison of eight items—bread, milk, butter, coffee, tea bags, beans, chicken, and beef mince—except for one week in July. Aldi reduced the price of a 250g block of salted butter from £1.99 to £1.85, making its overall bill the first to drop below £13 since April 2025, when Asda was cheapest at £12.93, followed by Lidl at £12.96 and Aldi at £12.97.
Other Retailers' Prices
Sainsbury's matched Aldi's butter price, reducing its total to £13.23 and moving it from second most expensive to third cheapest. Asda and Morrisons are joint fourth at £13.32, while Tesco remains the most expensive for a third consecutive week at £13.50. The only other price change this week is a 1p drop in Lidl's beans, which fluctuate between 27p and 28p.
Retailers Respond to Comparison
The comparison takes into account the cheapest products, including budget ranges like Asda's Just Essentials and Tesco's Stockwell. Sainsbury's said the 'review of a limited number of products does not reflect the fantastic value' customers find in store and that it is 'committed to offering customers great choice and value when they shop with us'.
An Asda spokesperson 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 loyalty card prices, independent surveys consistently recognise Asda as the best-value full-range supermarket. Morrisons previously said it 'remains committed to providing good, honest value' and is 'working hard to keep prices down and competitive'.
Aldi has argued that the products are not like-for-like, saying its Diplomat Red Label tea bags and coffee are of 'higher quality' than comparative products, and its beans are heavier. An Aldi spokesperson said: "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 Basket Breakdown
Aldi's basket includes bread at 55p, milk at £1.20, coffee at £2.09, tea bags at £1.65, butter at £1.85, beans at 27p, chicken at £2.29, and mince at £3.09, totalling £12.99. Lidl's basket, with tea bags equating to £1.63 for 160 and beans at 27p, totals £13.11. Sainsbury's, with coffee at £2.30 and beans at 30p, totals £13.23. Morrisons and Asda both total £13.32, while Tesco, with mince at £3.25, totals £13.50.
