Lidl has been the cheapest supermarket for a basket of essential groceries for almost every week of this year. A price comparison tracking the cost of basics like bread and milk across the six main supermarkets has run since March 2022, and Lidl has charged the least for the items for the majority of 2026.
On only three occasions this year has Aldi fared better, but Lidl is celebrating its third consecutive week as the cheapest and the 34th time it has been cheapest this year. Its bill comes to £12.97 this week for the basket, which also includes coffee, tea bags, butter, beans, chicken and beef mince.
This week's price comparison results
Aldi is only slightly more expensive, with a bill of £12.99, followed by Morrisons at £13.18 and Asda at £13.21. Sainsbury's is second most expensive at £13.23, while Tesco is the most expensive for a seventh consecutive week, with a bill of £13.36.
Not all retailers agree with the findings of the comparison, which has always taken into account the cheapest products available including budget ranges like Asda's Just Essentials and Tesco's Stockwell products. Sainsbury's says the 'review of a limited number of products does not reflect the fantastic value' customers will find in store and says it is 'committed to offering customers great choice and value when they shop with us'.
Retailers respond to the comparison
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 previously 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'. Aldi has always argued that the products aren't like-for-like, saying its own Diplomat Red Label tea bags and its coffee are of 'higher quality' than the comparative products used and its tins of beans are heavier than some of the other retailers'.
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."
Full list of prices
Lidl: Loaf of white bread 800g - 55p, Milk 2 pints - £1.20, Coffee 200g - £2.09, Tea bags 240 pack - £2.45 (equates to £1.63 for 160), Salted butter 250g - £1.85, Beans 420g tin - 27p, Chicken 300g - £2.29, Mince 500g 25% fat - £3.09. Total: £12.97.
Aldi: Loaf of bread 800g - 55p, Milk 2 pints - £1.20, Coffee 200g - £2.09, Teabags 160 - £1.65, Salted butter 250g - £1.85, Beans 420g tin - 27p, Chicken 300g - £2.29, Mince 500g 25% fat - £3.09. Total: £12.99.
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) - £1.64, Salted butter 250g - £1.85, Beans 26p, Chicken 300g - £2.52 for 330g (equates to £2.29 for 300g), Mince 500g 25% fat - £3.09. Total: £13.18.
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 - £1.85, Beans 410g tin - 30p, Chicken 300g - £2.44 for 320g (equates to £2.29 for 300g), Mince 500g 20% fat - £3.12. Total: £13.21.
Sainsbury's: Loaf of bread 800g - 55p, Milk 2 pints - £1.20, Coffee 200g - £2.30, Teabags 160 - £1.65, Salted butter 250g - £1.85, Beans 400g tin - 30p, Chicken 300g - £2.44 for 320g (equates to £2.29 for 300g), Mince 500g 25% fat - £3.09. Total: £13.23.
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) - £1.64, Salted butter 250g - £1.85, Beans 420g tin - 28p, Chicken 300g - £2.44 for 320g (equates to £2.29 for 300g), Mince 500g 20% fat - £3.25. Total: £13.36.
