Aldi has secured its position as the UK’s most affordable supermarket for the fifth consecutive year, according to consumer watchdog Which?. Throughout 2025, Aldi emerged as the cheapest supermarket in ten out of 12 months, outperforming its competitors consistently.
In December, Aldi maintained its lead by offering the lowest prices on a list of 68 items, with an average cost of £123.60 for the month. Lidl followed closely behind, with an average cost of £123.70, just 10p more than Aldi, for both Lidl Plus members and non-members.
While Lidl claimed the title of the cheapest supermarket twice in 2025, with wins in July and October, the overall price difference between Aldi and Lidl for the entire year was a mere 77p.
For a similar basket of 68 items, Asda customers spent an average of £134.89 in December, whereas Tesco Clubcard members paid £135.84, or £139.12 without a Clubcard.
In contrast, Sainsbury’s Nectar card holders incurred expenses of £141.45, or £143.74 without a Nectar card, while Waitrose emerged as the priciest option for the same list of items, with a total cost of £170.46 in December.
Which? research highlighted that Waitrose’s prices were on average 35% higher than those of Aldi throughout 2025. Additionally, a comparison of a larger weekly shopping list consisting of 180 items excluded Aldi and Lidl due to their narrower product ranges. Asda emerged as the most economical choice for the larger list in December, with an average bill of £450.82.
Tesco Clubcard holders spent an average of £462 in December on the 180-item list, while Tesco shoppers without a Clubcard paid £493.53. Morrisons’ bill with a loyalty discount stood at £466.04, or £467.46 without, whereas Sainsbury’s Nectar card holders paid £468.61, and non-members paid £501.89.
Waitrose continued to be the costliest option for the larger shopping list, with an average bill of £529.17. The analysis by Which? considered special offers and loyalty prices but excluded multibuys from its calculations.
Reena Sewraz, Which? Retail Editor, emphasized Aldi’s consistent performance as the reason for its continued dominance as the UK’s cheapest supermarket. While Lidl remains a strong competitor, especially among discount retailers, Aldi’s lower prices across most months solidify its position as the top choice for budget-conscious shoppers.
Sewraz also highlighted Asda as a compelling option for those seeking a wider range of branded products at competitive prices. With rising concerns over food expenses, consumers are advised to compare prices across supermarkets to potentially save hundreds of pounds annually.