UK’s Cheapest Big Shop Title Lost by Major Supermarket
In a significant shift, Tesco has overtaken Asda as the UK’s cheapest supermarket for a big shop. This change, revealed by a recent analysis conducted by the consumer group Which?, marks the first time Asda has lost the top position since December 2024.
Cheapest Big Shop Rankings
The research compared a shopping basket of 288 items. Tesco’s total with a Clubcard came to £588.96, while Asda’s total was slightly higher at £590.41. This difference makes Tesco £1.45 cheaper than Asda.
However, these lower prices at Tesco depend on having a Clubcard. Without it, the cost rises significantly to £641.09, which is £52.12 more than the price available with the card.
Other Supermarket Comparisons
Other leading supermarkets were also analyzed in the research:
- Sainsbury’s: £603.55 with a Nectar card; £659.85 without
- Morrisons: £612.88 with a More Card; £613.74 without
- Waitrose: £679.20, the highest average cost
Which? conducts a monthly price analysis including popular groceries from the eight largest UK supermarkets. Notably, Aldi and Lidl were excluded from this specific analysis due to their limited product ranges.
Small Shops Analysis
An additional analysis of a smaller basket of 89 items highlighted Aldi as the cheapest supermarket overall, with an average monthly cost of £164.74. When comparing the prices of a smaller shop:
- Tesco: £182.92 with a Clubcard; £186.92 without
- Asda: £183.04
- Morrisons: £187.65
- Sainsbury’s: £189.24 with Nectar; £194.58 without
- Waitrose: £221.53, again the most expensive
Expert Insights
Reena Sewraz, a retail editor at Which?, emphasized the importance of shopping around. She noted that while Aldi is currently the cheapest option, Lidl also offers competitive prices. Tesco’s Clubcard discounts provide good value for frequent shoppers, though not everyone can access these savings.
As food prices continue to concern many households, making informed decisions at supermarkets can lead to significant savings over time. An Asda spokesperson highlighted their previous position as the lowest-priced supermarket for January, reaffirming their commitment to value for families.
