Chepeast UK supermarket in September out of Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Tesco named

Aldi beat budget rival Lidl once again to become the UK's cheapest supermarket for September, according to a consumer group's research.

Which? bought 59 items from a series of retailers and the total cost on average at Aldi was £102.68. Lidl was not far behind - costing £1.18 more (£103.86 on average). Asda was in third place with an average of £112.19 while Tesco, for shoppers with a Clubcard, was fourth - on £112.96.

Without a Clubcard, the Tesco shop cost a little more at £113.35. Sainsbury's customers with a Nectar card would have paid an average of £113.79, whereas without one it was £119.19. On the other end of the scale, Waitrose was the most expensive UK supermarket for September, totalling £130.37 on average. That was £27.69 more than Aldi - an increase of 27 per cent.

The list of items bought by Which? included branded and own-brand items, such as Birds Eye Peas and Hovis bread, along with milk and butter. It included special offer prices and loyalty prices but not multibuys.

While Lidl, Morrisons and Waitrose also operate two-tier pricing, their schemes are currently on a smaller scale and this month, no items on Which?'s shopping list were available at a lower price to members of these schemes.

Ele Clark, Which? retail editor, said: "Our latest monthly analysis once again sees Aldi crowned as the UK's cheapest supermarket. Given the ongoing strain of high food prices on household budgets, it's understandable many people are choosing discounters to cut costs.

"By switching supermarkets, consumers could save 21 per cent, highlighting the advantages of shopping around."

In August, Aldi was also hailed as the cheapest supermarket in the UK with a basket of 62 items costing £110.58 on average - with Lidl again just behind, costing £1.30 more with Lidl Plus, at £111.88 on average, and £112.17 without. Waitrose was again the most expensive supermarket, with a shop totalling £140.89.

Cheapest supermarket September 2024

Aldi - £102.68

Lidl- £103.86

Asda - £112.19

Tesco (with Clubcard) - £112.96

Tesco (without Clubcard) - £113.35

Sainsbury’s (with Nectar) - £113.79

Morrisons - £119.18

Sainsbury’s (without Nectar) - £119.19

Ocado - £125.16

Waitrose - £130.37