Aldi has been recognized as the most economical grocery store in 2025 by consumer advocates at Which?. Which? monitors food prices daily and discloses the most budget-friendly shops monthly. Aldi held the top spot as the cheapest supermarket for ten out of 12 months in 2025, solidifying its position as the UK’s most economical supermarket for the fifth consecutive year.
In December, Aldi emerged as the most cost-effective supermarket for a selection of 68 items, with an average monthly cost of £123.60. Lidl followed closely behind, trailing by just 10p in December, with an average cost of £123.70 for both Lidl Plus members and non-members.
Lidl claimed the title of cheapest supermarket twice in the previous year, specifically in July and October. The average monthly price difference between Aldi and Lidl throughout the year was a mere 77p.
Conversely, for the same set of 68 items at Asda, the average cost stood at £134.89 in December, while Tesco Clubcard holders would have paid £135.84, or £139.12 without a Clubcard.
Sainsbury’s Nectar card holders would have spent £141.45, or £143.74 without a Nectar card. Waitrose topped the list as the most expensive supermarket, with a total of £170.46 for the 68 items in December.
According to Which? research, Waitrose was on average 35% pricier compared to Aldi throughout 2025. Which? also examined the expenses for a more extensive weekly shopping list comprising 180 items.
Aldi and Lidl were excluded from this comparison due to their smaller product range. Asda was the most economical choice in December for the larger list of 180 items, with an average bill of £450.82.
For the same 180 items in December, Tesco Clubcard holders would have paid an average of £462, while non-Clubcard holders would have faced a bill of £493.53. Morrison’s bill came to £466.04 with a loyalty discount or £467.46 without one, while Sainsbury’s Nectar holders would have spent £468.61, and non-members £501.89.
Waitrose remained the priciest option for the larger shopping list, with an average bill of £529.17. The analysis by Which? took into account special offers and loyalty prices where relevant but excluded bulk promotions.
Reena Sewraz, Which? Retail Editor, commented: “Aldi’s consistent performance highlights why it clinched the title of the UK’s most budget-friendly supermarket for the fifth consecutive year. While Lidl continues to present robust competition among discount retailers, Aldi secured the lowest prices overall in most months.”
“Our analysis also underscores that Asda remains a solid choice for consumers seeking a broader range of branded products at reduced prices. With food expenses remaining a significant concern for many households, it is truly advantageous to shop around, as opting for one supermarket over another could result in significant savings for shoppers annually.”