Aldi has been recognized as the most economical supermarket of 2025 by consumer advocates at Which?. Which? monitors grocery prices daily and discloses the most budget-friendly stores monthly. Aldi held the title of the cheapest supermarket for ten out of the 12 months in 2025, solidifying its position as the UK’s most cost-effective supermarket for the fifth consecutive year.
In December, Aldi emerged as the most affordable supermarket for a selection of 68 items, with an average monthly cost of £123.60. Following closely behind, Lidl secured the second spot, with an average cost of £123.70 for both Lidl Plus members and non-members during December.
Lidl clinched the top spot as the cheapest supermarket twice in 2025, specifically in July and October, with just a 77p difference in the average monthly prices compared to Aldi throughout the year.
For the same basket of 68 items at Asda, the average expenditure in December stood at £134.89, while Tesco Clubcard holders paid £135.84, or £139.12 without a Clubcard.
Sainsbury’s Nectar cardholders spent £141.45, or £143.74 without a Nectar card. Conversely, Waitrose topped the list as the most expensive supermarket for the same 68 items, totaling £170.46 in December.
Which? research unveiled that Waitrose’s prices averaged 35% higher compared to Aldi over the course of 2025. The comparison also extended to a larger weekly shopping list consisting of 180 items.
Aldi and Lidl were excluded from this comparison due to their smaller product range. Asda took the lead in December for the extended list of 180 items, with an average bill amounting to £450.82.
Tesco Clubcard holders paid an average of £462 in December for the 180-item list, while non-Clubcard holders spent £493.53. The bill for Morrisons shoppers with a loyalty discount was £466.04, or £467.46 without, whereas Sainsbury’s Nectar cardholders paid £468.61, and 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? factored in special offers and loyalty prices, excluding multibuy offers.
Reena Sewraz, Which? Retail Editor, highlighted Aldi’s consistent affordability, underlining its continued reign as the UK’s most budget-friendly supermarket for five consecutive years. She also emphasized the competitive offerings of Lidl and Asda for cost-conscious shoppers.
As food expenses remain a significant concern for many households, making informed choices while grocery shopping could result in substantial savings over the long run.