Cheapest Supermarkets UK Compared

With food prices still elevated following years of high inflation, where you shop makes a significant difference to your annual food bill. Here's a practical, honest comparison of UK supermarkets — plus strategies to cut your bill at whatever store you use.

Bottom line up front: Aldi and Lidl are consistently 20–40% cheaper than the major UK supermarkets for a comparable weekly shop. But you don't have to switch entirely — knowing which stores are cheapest for what is enough.

The Supermarket Price Rankings

Supermarket	Typical weekly shop	Notes
Aldi	Cheapest	Own-brand led. No loyalty scheme. Consistently wins price comparisons. Core range is very good quality.
Lidl	Cheapest	Very close to Aldi. Lidl Plus app offers weekly deals and discounts. Bakery section is a fan favourite.
Asda	Budget-friendly	Price-match schemes, Rollback deals. Asda Rewards cashback. Good own-brand range (Just Essentials).
Morrisons	Mid-range	More Value range at low prices. Morrisons More card loyalty points. Strong fresh/butcher counter range.
Tesco	Mid-range	Clubcard essential for best prices — Clubcard prices often significantly cheaper. Huge range.
Sainsbury's	Mid-range	Nectar card for discounts. Taste the Difference range popular. Price-matches Aldi on 250+ products.
Co-op	Premium	Convenient but pricier. Member dividend scheme. Good for top-up shops.
Waitrose / M&S Food	Premium	Significantly more expensive. Quality and range justify it for many, but not for budget shopping.

The Loyalty Card Difference

Tesco Clubcard and Sainsbury's Nectar are the most valuable loyalty schemes. Without them, Tesco and Sainsbury's can be significantly pricier than they appear — many "Clubcard price" discounts are 20–50% off the full shelf price. If you shop at either, never shop without scanning your card.

Loyalty points also have hidden value: Clubcard points are worth 3–4x face value when converted to partner rewards (Café Rouge, Pizza Express, days out, etc.) vs. spending them on groceries.

The Aldi / Lidl Strategy

You don't have to do your entire shop at Aldi or Lidl to benefit. The most common strategy:

• Do your main shop at Aldi or Lidl for basics: milk, eggs, bread, meat, vegetables, cleaning products, toiletries
• Top up at Tesco or Sainsbury's for branded items you specifically want or things the discounters don't stock
• Most families save £30–£60/month just from this switch without changing what they eat

Tips to Cut Your Bill at Any Supermarket

• Switch to own-brand basics — Tesco Everyday Value, Asda Just Essentials, and Sainsbury's Basics are dramatically cheaper and usually identical in quality for staples like pasta, rice, flour, canned goods
• Buy frozen — frozen veg is nutritionally equivalent to fresh, lasts longer, and is typically 50–70% cheaper
• Meal plan — write exactly what you need for the week before you go. One of the single most effective ways to cut food waste and impulse spending
• Check unit prices, not pack prices — larger packs aren't always cheaper per unit
• Yellow sticker shopping — reduced items appear from around 5pm in most stores. Freeze meat and fish immediately
• Too Good To Go — app where supermarkets, bakeries and restaurants sell surplus food bags for £2–£5
• Olio — free food-sharing app. Neighbours and local shops share surplus food
• Compare with mysupermarket.com or the Which? supermarket price comparison tool

Online vs In-Store

Online shopping tends to make it easier to stick to your list and compare prices, but delivery or click-and-collect fees can add £2–£5. Subscription delivery passes (e.g. Tesco Delivery Saver, Asda Delivery Pass) are worth it if you shop online weekly.

Food bank? If you're struggling to afford food, the Trussell Trust food bank finder lists local food banks across the UK. No referral needed at many banks — just turn up.