The cheapest supermarket of 2024 isn't Lidl - are you surprised?

In early January 2025, the consumer website Which? published findings regarding supermarket prices in the UK for the year 2024. The research tracked grocery prices across eight major supermarkets, including Aldi, Asda, Lidl, and Waitrose, focusing on both branded and own-brand items. Aldi was identified as the cheapest supermarket, with a December shopping list of 56 items costing an average of £100.29. Lidl followed closely in second place while Waitrose ranked as the most expensive, costing £129.83 for the same shopping list. Harry Rose, the editor of Which? magazine, emphasized the importance of switching supermarkets for potential savings, especially after the expensive holiday season. The analysis noted that consumers shopping at Aldi could save approximately £393 over the year compared to those shopping at Waitrose. Despite some fluctuations in rankings, Aldi consistently maintained its position as the cheapest supermarket each month for a smaller shopping list in 2024. However, for larger shopping trolleys consisting of 150 items, Asda was found to be the cheapest for nine months out of the year. This is attributed to aggressive pricing strategies from Tesco, especially their Clubcard prices, which allowed Tesco to be cheaper in three out of seven months analyzed since June 2024. It’s important to note that Aldi and Lidl were not included in the larger shop comparisons due to their inconsistent stock of the study's larger shopping list items. The ongoing price competition among the supermarkets highlights the importance of consumer choices in the grocery market. Shoppers can benefit substantially by researching and changing where they do their grocery shopping. The research also reveals larger trends in consumer behavior, particularly post-festive season, as households look to cut costs where they can. The data represents a significant reflection of the economic climate affecting grocery pricing and consumer spending habits in the UK.