Wednesday 11 January 2023

Aldi Beats Lidl To Be Crowned Cheapest Supermarket Of 2022

Analysis by consumer watchdog Which? shows Aldi has narrowly beaten its main rival Lidl to be named the cheapest UK supermarket over the last 12 months.

Throughout 2022, Which? tracked hundreds of thousands of grocery prices across the eight major supermarkets (Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose) to find out how much each shop was charging for everyday items such as bread, milk and eggs.

Overall, Aldi was the cheapest supermarket for seven consecutive months from June to December, while Lidl was the cheapest from January to May.

The results for the final month of the year in December showed a basket of 48 groceries on average was £81.63 at Aldi, just beating Lidl, where the basket was £83.24. Meanwhile, Waitrose was more than £30 pricier than Aldi, at £112.62 and was consistently the most expensive supermarket across the 12 months.
Alongside the price comparison of a basket of groceries at all eight supermarkets, Which? also compared a larger trolley packed with a greater selection of branded items that are not always available at the discounters – meaning they aren’t included in this bigger comparison.

Asda was the cheapest of the traditional supermarkets in December – as it has been every month for the last three years. Based on a larger trolley of 149 products, Asda’s total came in at £355.62, followed by Sainsbury’s (£368.97), Tesco (£375.97), Morrisons (£377.81) and Ocado (£386.68). At Waitrose, the total came to £406.95, £51.33 more than Asda.

Which? is currently campaigning for all supermarkets to do more to help customers during the cost of living crisis and has recently published a 10-point plan of steps across three key areas to help ensure affordable food is available to everyone who needs it.

“With food and drink prices putting huge pressure on household budgets, it’s no surprise to see many people turning to discounters like Aldi and Lidl when our research shows they could save up to £31 on a typical shop,” said Reena Sewraz, Which? Retail Editor.

“Which? believes all supermarkets have the ability to make a real difference to hard-hit households by ensuring everyone has easy access to basic, affordable food lines at a store near them, particularly in areas where people are most in need.”

NamNews Implications
  • While experts closer to grocery might split hairs re the methodology...
  • ...in the mind of the shopper, their perception of something like a 27% price difference between Aldi and Waitrose...
  • …has to make a shopping difference.
  • And will be reflected in grocery market shares.
  • Suppliers had better tune into shopper perception
  •  (Even in Aldi...)
  • Or suffer the consequences?
#BasketPrices #Cheapest

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