Aldi has been recognized as the most affordable supermarket in 2025 by consumer watchdog, Which?. Which? monitors grocery prices daily and unveils the least expensive stores monthly. Throughout 2025, Aldi secured the top spot as the UK’s cheapest supermarket for the fifth consecutive year, being the most economical in ten out of 12 months.
In December, Aldi emerged as the most cost-effective choice for a basket of 68 items, totaling an average of £123.60 for the month. Lidl followed closely in second place, with an average cost of £123.70 for both Lidl Plus members and non-members, just 10p more than Aldi.
Lidl claimed the title of the cheapest supermarket twice in 2025, in July and October, with only a 77p average monthly price difference compared to Aldi throughout the year.
For the same 68 items, Asda’s average cost in December was £134.89, while Tesco Clubcard members paid £135.84 or £139.12 without a Clubcard.
Meanwhile, Sainsbury’s Nectar cardholders spent £141.45, or £143.74 without a Nectar card. Waitrose stood as the priciest supermarket for the same 68 items, costing £170.46 in December, 35% more than Aldi on average in 2025.
Aldi and Lidl were excluded from the comparison for a larger list of 180 items due to their smaller product ranges. Asda was the most budget-friendly option in December for the larger list, with an average bill of £450.82.
According to Which? research, Tesco Clubcard holders paid an average of £462 in December for the 180-item list, while non-Clubcard holders paid £493.53.
Morrisons shoppers saw a bill of £466.04 with a loyalty discount or £467.46 without, while Sainsbury’s Nectar cardholders paid £468.61, and non-members paid £501.89.
Waitrose continued its trend of being the most expensive supermarket for the larger shop, with an average bill of £529.17. The analysis by Which? factored in special offers and loyalty prices where applicable but excluded multibuy deals.
Reena Sewraz, Retail Editor at Which?, highlighted Aldi’s consistent cost-effectiveness, emphasizing its dominance as the UK’s cheapest supermarket for five years running. She noted that while Lidl remains a strong competitor, Aldi consistently offered the lowest prices overall.
Sewraz also mentioned that Asda remains a solid choice for consumers seeking a wider range of branded products at lower prices. With food expenses remaining a significant concern for many households, she advised consumers to shop around, as selecting one supermarket over another could lead to substantial savings over a year.