New research has confirmed that Aldi remains the most affordable place to do a weekly shop in the UK, marking an impressive fifth year at the top of the budget rankings.
A Year of Consistent Low Prices
Consumer champion Which? found that Aldi was the cheapest supermarket in ten out of the twelve months of 2025. The analysis, which tracks the cost of a basket of everyday goods, solidifies the German discounter's reputation for delivering value. In December alone, a selection of 68 popular items cost an average of just £123.60 at Aldi.
The Discount Battle and Big Four Rivals
Fellow discounter Lidl provided the closest competition, trailing by a mere 10 pence in December with an average basket cost of £123.70. This price was consistent for both Lidl Plus members and non-members.
Among the traditional 'big four' supermarkets, Asda offered the best value. The same basket of 68 items cost £134.89 at Asda in December. Tesco Clubcard holders would have paid £135.84, rising to £139.12 without the loyalty card. At Sainsbury's, Nectar card holders faced a bill of £141.45, or £143.74 without the card.
At the other end of the scale, Waitrose was the most expensive supermarket for the basket, with the total coming to £170.46 in December.
Substantial Annual Savings for Shoppers
Reena Sewraz, Which? Retail Editor, highlighted the significant impact of choosing where to shop. "Aldi’s consistent performance shows why it has been crowned the UK’s cheapest supermarket for the fifth year in a row," she said.
"While Lidl continues to provide strong competition... Aldi was cheapest in most months and offered the lowest prices overall. With food bills still a major concern for many households, it really does pay to shop around – choosing one supermarket over another could save shoppers hundreds of pounds over the course of a year."
The report concluded that, on average across 2025, the most expensive supermarket was 35% pricier than the cheapest for a smaller list and 15% more for a larger one, underscoring the potential for major household savings.
