Aldi has been recognized as the most cost-effective supermarket in 2025 by Which?, a consumer advocacy group. Which? conducts daily monitoring of grocery prices and discloses the most budget-friendly stores on a monthly basis. Throughout 2025, Aldi emerged as the most economical supermarket in ten out of twelve months, maintaining its position as the UK’s most affordable supermarket for the fifth consecutive year.
In December, Aldi topped the list for 68 essential items, with an average monthly expenditure of £123.60. Lidl followed closely behind, trailing by just 10p with an average cost of £123.70 for both Lidl Plus members and non-members in December.
Lidl claimed the title of the cheapest supermarket twice in 2025, specifically in July and October. The average monthly price difference between Aldi and Lidl for the entire year was a mere 77p.
For the same set of 68 items, Asda customers spent an average of £134.89 in December, while Tesco Clubcard holders paid £135.84, or £139.12 without a Clubcard.
Sainsbury’s Nectar card holders paid £141.45, or £143.74 without a Nectar card, in December. Waitrose emerged as the priciest supermarket for the 68-item list, totaling £170.46 in December.
Research by Which? indicated that Waitrose cost an average of 35% more than Aldi throughout 2025. The comparison also extended to the cost of a larger weekly shop comprising 180 items.
Aldi and Lidl were excluded from this comparison due to their limited product range. Asda was the most economical choice in December for the larger list of 180 items, with an average bill of £450.82.
Tesco Clubcard members spent an average of £462 in December for the 180-item list, while non-Clubcard holders paid £493.53. Morrisons customers faced a bill of £466.04 with a loyalty discount or £467.46 without. Sainsbury’s Nectar card holders paid £468.61, while non-members paid £501.89.
Waitrose retained its position as the priciest supermarket for the larger shopping list, with an average bill of £529.17. The analysis by Which? factored in special offers and loyalty prices where applicable, excluding multi-buy deals.
Reena Sewraz, Which? Retail Editor, emphasized Aldi’s consistent performance and its reign as the UK’s most affordable supermarket for five consecutive years. She highlighted that while Lidl remains a strong contender, Aldi consistently offered the lowest prices overall.
The analysis also showcased Asda as a favorable choice for shoppers seeking a wider range of branded goods at competitive prices. With food expenses being a significant concern for many households, opting for one supermarket over another could result in substantial savings over the course of a year.
