Aldi has been identified as the most economical supermarket for the year 2025 by consumer advocacy group Which?. Which? monitors grocery prices daily and discloses the most budget-friendly stores monthly. Throughout 2025, Aldi held the top spot as the cheapest supermarket for ten out of twelve months, marking its fifth consecutive year as the UK’s most affordable grocery retailer.
In December, Aldi was the most cost-effective choice for a selection of 68 items, with an average monthly expenditure of £123.60. Lidl followed closely behind, only 10p more expensive at £123.70 on average for both Lidl Plus members and non-members during the same period.
Although Lidl claimed the title of the cheapest supermarket twice in 2025 – in July and October – the average price variance per month between Aldi and Lidl was a mere 77p. Conversely, for the same basket of 68 items at Asda, shoppers spent around £134.89 in December, while Tesco Clubcard holders paid £135.84, or £139.12 without a Clubcard.
On the other hand, Sainsbury’s Nectar card holders would have spent £141.45, or £143.74 without the card, while Waitrose emerged as the most expensive supermarket for the 68-item list, totaling £170.46 in December. The research by Which? indicated that Waitrose averaged 35% higher costs compared to Aldi throughout 2025, even when analyzing a larger weekly shop comprising 180 items.
Aldi and Lidl were excluded from the larger shop comparison due to their narrower product ranges. Asda took the lead in December for the 180-item list, with an average bill amounting to £450.82. Tesco Clubcard holders would have paid an average of £462 for the same items, while non-Clubcard holders faced a bill of £493.53.
For shoppers at Morrisons, the bill with a loyalty discount stood at £466.04 or £467.46 without the discount. Sainsbury’s Nectar card holders would have paid £468.61, with non-members facing a bill of £501.89. Waitrose maintained its position as the priciest option for the larger shop, with an average bill of £529.17. The analysis by Which? considered special offers and loyalty prices but excluded multi-buy deals.
According to Reena Sewraz, Which? Retail Editor, Aldi’s persistent affordability secured its status as the UK’s most budget-friendly supermarket for the fifth consecutive year. Sewraz noted that while Lidl remains a strong contender among discount retailers, Aldi consistently offered lower prices, proving to be the most economical choice overall.
Sewraz further emphasized that Asda remains a reliable option for consumers seeking a broader range of branded items at competitive prices. With many households still grappling with high food bills, Sewraz advised shoppers to compare prices across supermarkets as opting for one over another could yield substantial savings over a year.