Aldi has once again secured the title of the most affordable supermarket this month, as per the latest pricing analysis conducted by Which?. The evaluation compared prices of 89 items in February, revealing that the average cost at Aldi was £161.56. Following closely was Lidl, with a price of £162.75, only £1.19 more expensive. Asda claimed the third spot at £181.06, trailed by Tesco with a Clubcard at £181.58.

The comparison list comprised a mix of branded and own-brand products like Birds Eye Peas, Hovis bread, milk, and butter. Waitrose emerged as the priciest supermarket this month for a smaller selection of items, with an average total of £217.02, marking a significant £55.46 difference from Aldi.

In a broader comparison of 225 items, Tesco emerged as the most cost-effective for Clubcard holders, with a total expenditure of £580.35. This made Tesco £3.97 cheaper than Asda, whose bill amounted to £584.32. Without a Clubcard, Tesco’s shopping bill rose to £629.25, exceeding Asda by £48.90. Notably, Aldi and Lidl were not part of this comparison due to their narrower product range compared to other supermarkets.

Waitrose also stood out as the priciest on average, with a larger shopping list costing £650.11, a £69.76 difference from Tesco with a Clubcard. The analysis by Which? factored in special offer prices and loyalty discounts where applicable, excluding multi-buy deals.

Reena Sewraz, Which? Retail Editor, commented, “Aldi has clinched the top position this month, but the intense competition between discounters ensures that Lidl remains an excellent choice for budget-conscious consumers. Tesco’s Clubcard provides good value for those preferring branded items, although wider accessibility to these savings is anticipated later this year.”

She added, “Given ongoing budget constraints, our research underscores that being selective about where you shop can lead to substantial savings, potentially putting hundreds of pounds back in your pocket annually.”