Tesco Knocks Asda Off Top Spot in Major Supermarket Price Shake-Up
In a significant shift in the fiercely competitive UK grocery market, Asda has lost its crown as the cheapest supermarket for a full trolley shop for the first time in over a year. According to the latest monthly analysis from consumer champion Which?, Tesco, when utilising its Clubcard loyalty scheme, has now claimed the top position.
How the Supermarket Price Battle Was Measured
Which? conducts a rigorous monthly comparison, tracking the prices of thousands of items across eight major UK supermarkets: Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury's, Tesco, and Waitrose. For its primary "big shop" analysis, researchers compiled a comprehensive basket of 228 popular grocery items. The average total price at each retailer was calculated, with a crucial new factor being the inclusion of discounts available through supermarket loyalty schemes where applicable.
It is important to note that discounters Aldi and Lidl are excluded from this specific large-basket comparison due to their inherently smaller product ranges. The research methodology involves tracking daily prices of up to 200 branded and own-label products over a month to establish average item costs, which are then totalled for each retailer. Special offers and loyalty prices have been incorporated since June 2024, though multi-buy promotions are not included.
The New Rankings for a Full Trolley Shop
The January 2026 data reveals a new hierarchy. Tesco, with Clubcard discounts applied, achieved an average basket total of £588.96, narrowly pushing Asda into second place with £590.41. This ends Asda's long-running dominance in this specific metric.
Sainsbury's and Morrisons, also benefiting from their respective Nectar and More loyalty programmes, followed next on the list. Waitrose maintained its position as the most expensive option for a large shop, with a basket costing £679.20. Sainsbury's, when shopped without utilising Nectar points, was the second most expensive at £659.85.
Aldi and Lidl Dominate the Smaller Basket Comparison
In a separate analysis focused on a more concise shopping list of 89 items—a basket where Aldi and Lidl are included—a different picture emerges. Here, Aldi has consistently held the title of cheapest supermarket for the past several months. In January, its average basket cost was £164.74.
Lidl followed closely behind, with a total of £166.33 when using a Lidl Plus card, and £166.53 without. Tesco with a Clubcard was the next most affordable for this smaller shop at £182.92. Once again, Waitrose was the most expensive at £221.53, a staggering 34 per cent more costly than Aldi.
Context and Industry Reaction
This shift occurs against a backdrop where Aldi was named the cheapest supermarket of 2025 by Which?, leading the rankings for 10 out of 12 months. Lidl claimed the top spot in July and October, while Waitrose was the most expensive every single month last year. On the larger basket comparison that excludes the discounters, Asda had been marked as the cheapest throughout all of 2025.
Responding to the findings, an Asda spokesperson defended the retailer's value proposition: "Asda was the lowest‑priced supermarket every month in 2025 on the Which? big trolley comparison, and £50 cheaper in January on a like‑for‑like basket without loyalty pricing. Asda remains the best‑value supermarket for the big family shop with prices available to all."
Expert Commentary and Consumer Advice
Reena Sewraz, Which? Retail Editor, offered her analysis of the complex landscape: "While Aldi is the cheapest supermarket this month, the ongoing price competition among the discounters means Lidl also remains a strong money-saving choice for many shoppers, according to our latest price analysis."
She added guidance for consumers: "For those who prefer a wider range of branded products, shopping at Tesco with a Clubcard can offer good value." However, she issued a note of caution regarding access to these savings: "It's worth noting that Tesco's loyalty-linked discounts aren't accessible to everyone. Tesco must do more to ensure under-18s and other groups who may not be eligible for the Clubcard don't miss out on those savings."
The shopping lists used in these comparisons include a mix of everyday essentials, from popular household brands like Heinz baked beans and Mr Kipling cakes to supermarket own-label staples such as milk, bread, and cheese. The price data is supplied by an independent comparison company, gathered from online prices and fieldworkers collecting in-store data, providing a robust snapshot of the cost of living for UK households.
