The UK’s cheapest supermarket has changed for first time in 20 months

A shopping trolley filled with groceries in the middle of a supermarket aisle.
The UK’s cheapest supermarket has changed (Picture: Getty Images)

For the last 20 months in a row, one supermarket has retained the crown as the cheapest in the UK.

Aldi’s prices beat out competition for almost two years straight, but as of last month, the budget retailer’s reign came to an end.

According to analysis by the consumer champions at Which, Lidl knocked Aldi off the top spot to become the UK’s cheapest supermarket in July 2025.

And they managed to secure the victory by being just 85p cheaper than their German discount rival.

LIDL supermarket logo sign.
Lidl was the cheapest supermarket for a shop of 76 items in July (Picture: Getty Images)

The research compared a shopping list of 76 grocery items at eight of the UK’s biggest supermarkets, including Tesco, Asda, Waitrose and Sainsbury’s. It took into account special offers and loyalty prices, but not multibuys. 

At Lidl, the total on average across the month came out to £128.40, with members of the retailer’s loyalty scheme saving a further 40p.

At Aldi, the same shop featuring own-brand and branded items like Hovis bread, Birds Eye Peas, milk and butter, came out at £129.25.

Asda came in third place, with the average price being £139.53, proving cheaper than a shop at Tesco using Clubcard prices (£141.92). 

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Tesco Clubcard members would have paid £13.92 more on average than at Lidl, while those who aren’t part of the loyalty scheme would be paying £17.10 more (£145.10).

Sainsbury’s shoppers with a Nectar card are paying £16.21 more on average a month than at Lidl, and £21.55 more without using a Nectar card (£149.55).

How much 76 items cost at supermarkets on average in July 2025:

Lidl (including loyalty discount) – £128

Lidl – £128.40

Aldi – £129.25

Asda – £139.53

Tesco (including loyalty discount) – £141.92

Sainsbury’s (including loyalty) – £144.21

Tesco – £145.10

Morrisons (inc loyalty discount) – £146.91

Morrisons – £147.84

Sainsbury’s – £149.55

Ocado – £159.20

Waitrose – £170.91

It’s worth noting though, that for those doing a bigger shop of 192 items, Aldi and Lidl are taken out of the running for the cheapest supermarket as they offer a smaller range of products than other retailers.

Instead, it’s Asda that’s the cheapest overall, with a longer list of groceries costing £474.12 on average.

Waitrose was found to be the most expensive supermarket for both the bigger and smaller shop throughout the month, with 72 items costing £170.91 on average and £538.33 for 192 items on average. 

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Reena Sewraz, Which retail editor, said: ‘Lidl has bagged the top spot as the UK’s cheapest supermarket for the first time in 20 months, according to our latest price analysis, showing that it can beat Aldi even without loyalty prices.

‘The bigger trolley of groceries shows that Asda continues to be the cheapest non-discounter supermarket – beating membership prices at Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons.

‘Households are still contending with high food prices but our analysis shows it pays to shop around, simply choosing one supermarket over another could save you 25%.’

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