Asda and Sainsbury's have both increased the price of a two-pint bottle of milk by 10p to £1.30, matching the rise Tesco introduced last week. The move means the cost of the essential item has gone up by 8% at three of the six major supermarkets within a week.
The weekly price comparison, which tracks a basket of eight basic items at Tesco, Lidl, Aldi, Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury's, found that Tesco had previously raised its milk from £1.20 to £1.30. Tesco also increased the price of its cheapest 500g pack of beef mince from £3.25 to £3.50 in the same week.
Comparison Basket Totals
In this week's comparison, Lidl remains the cheapest with a total bill of £13.06, closely followed by Aldi at £13.08 after it reduced the price of its cheapest beans by a penny. Morrisons is in third place at £13.17, while Asda's basket comes to £13.26.
Sainsbury's total is now £13.53, making it the second most expensive, while Tesco is the most expensive for a 16th consecutive week at £13.71. Sainsbury's bill is higher partly because the comparison now includes its own Rich Roast Coffee at £2.40 for 200g, after it discontinued its budget Stamford Street coffee, which sold for £2.30.
Retailer Responses
Not all retailers agree with the findings of the comparison. Sainsbury's said the 'review of a limited number of products does not reflect the fantastic value' customers will find in store and said it is 'committed to offering customers great choice and value when they shop with us'.
Morrisons said it 'remains committed to providing good, honest value' and is 'working hard to keep prices down and competitive so customers can spend less while still enjoying the quality Morrisons is famous for'.
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."
An Asda spokesperson said: "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."
Asda's new chief executive this week vowed to make improvements, including having staff checkouts open for longer and having more products on shelves, clearly displayed and available all day.
Price Details and Methodology
The comparison has tracked prices since March 2022 and always takes into account the cheapest products available, including budget ranges like Asda's Just Essentials, Morrisons' Savers, Tesco's Stockwell products and Sainsbury's Stamford Street range. Part of the reason mince costs more at Tesco is because it is a 20% fat version, whereas other retailers sell a cheaper pack of 25% or more fat. The 20% fat mince can still be found cheaper elsewhere.
Full list of prices: Lidl's basket totals £13.06 (bread 55p, milk £1.20, coffee £2.09, tea bags £2.45 for 240, butter £1.85, beans 26p, chicken £2.29, mince £3.19). Aldi's totals £13.08 (beans down from 27p). Morrisons totals £13.17. Asda totals £13.26 (milk up from £1.20). Sainsbury's totals £13.53 (milk up from £1.20, coffee up from £2.30). Tesco totals £13.71.
