Aldi has been declared the most cost-effective supermarket in 2025 by consumer advocates at Which?. Which? monitors grocery prices daily and discloses the most budget-friendly stores monthly. Throughout 2025, Aldi held the title of the least expensive supermarket for ten out of 12 months, solidifying its position as the UK’s most economical supermarket for the fifth consecutive year.
In December, Aldi topped the list for a selection of 68 items, with an average monthly cost of £123.60. Lidl followed closely behind, with an average cost of £123.70 for both Lidl Plus members and non-members in December, just 10p more than Aldi.
Last year, Lidl claimed the title of the cheapest supermarket twice, in July and October. The average monthly price difference between Aldi and Lidl for the entire year was a mere 77p.
For the same 68 items at Asda, the average cost in December was £134.89. Tesco Clubcard members paid £135.84, while non-members faced a cost of £139.12.
Sainsbury’s Nectar card holders paid £141.45, or £143.74 without a Nectar card. Waitrose emerged as the priciest supermarket for the list of 68 items, totaling £170.46 in December.
Which? research unveiled that Waitrose was on average 35% more expensive compared to Aldi throughout 2025. The comparison also extended to the cost of a larger weekly shopping list comprising 180 items.
Aldi and Lidl were excluded from this comparison due to their smaller product range. Asda took the lead in December for the larger list of 180 items, with an average bill of £450.82.
According to Which?, Tesco Clubcard holders spent an average of £462 in December for the same items, whereas non-Clubcard holders spent £493.53.
At Morrisons, loyal customers were charged £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 most expensive supermarket for the larger shopping list, with an average bill of £529.17. The analysis by Which? considered special offers and loyalty prices where applicable, excluding multibuys.
Reena Sewraz, Retail Editor at Which?, remarked, “Aldi’s consistent performance underscores why it has been recognized as the UK’s most affordable supermarket for the fifth consecutive year.
“While Lidl remains a strong contender among discount retailers and an excellent choice for bargain-conscious shoppers, Aldi consistently offered lower prices, especially in most months.
“Our analysis further indicates that Asda remains a viable option for shoppers seeking a wider range of branded products at competitive prices.
“Given that food costs remain a significant concern for many households, it is advantageous to compare prices – opting for one supermarket over another could result in substantial savings over the year.”
