One supermarket now the 'most expensive' after vowing to match Aldi budget prices

Daily Record

28-04-2025

As prices across groceries continue to rise, shopping at Aldi has become increasingly popular. That hasn't stopped other supermarkets from attempting to match the budget grocer's value. One of them is Sainsbury's, as the retailer's CEO Simon Roberts recently vowed to match its prices with that of the budget German grocer by announcing its major £550 million investment to help customers with money . Nevertheless, Emma Gill of the Manchester Evening News has discovered that, despite its promises, Sainsbury's works out as the most expensive retailer for a basket of eight staple groceries, overtaking Tesco which had been the dearest since mid-December. The independent analysis from the reporter found that the supermarket giant, which had once been the fourth cheapest after Asda, Aldi and Lidl, had taken the most expensive crown for a third week running. Looking at prices of essentials such as milk, bread and butter, it was now £13.47 in total, while Tesco came in at £13.30. Lidl remained the cheapest for a second week in a row, coming in at £13.02, while its rival Aldi was the runner-up with a total of £13.07. With prices of certain food items rising in price, the analysis found that there were actually two reductions in prices this month, as Tesco and Sainsbury's bringing down the price of their chicken breasts in line with Aldi and Lidl . As for the meat used in the comparison, the cheapest packs at each supermarket were included, with Aldi, Lidl and Morrisons offering 25 percent fat, while others sell 20 percent fat options that are seen as higher quality. It comes after we reported that Sainsbury's had launched the "biggest ever" Aldi Price match campaign , with over 100 new items matched in price with the budget chain. As of Wednesday, April 28, the supermarket's initiative is said to boast 800 products. It's also worth noting that a number of supermarkets have disagreed with the analysis undertaken by the Manchester Evening news. Aldi says that the list does not take into account the difference in quality, highlighting that its Diplomat Red Label tea Bags and its coffee are "higher quality" than other products used. The supermarket also advised that its tins of beans are higher in quantity compared to others. A spokesperson for Aldi said: 'Our promise to customers is that they will make significant savings every time they shop with Aldi, which is why we've been named Which? Cheapest Supermarket of the Year for four years running." Asda is also said to have disagreed with the analysis, explaining that the small sample used does not reflect the full picture of prices and deals. According to the supermarket, its affordable Just Essentials range is the largest and cheapest available. A Sainsbury's spokesperson said: 'This review of a limited number of products does not reflect the fantastic value our customers will find at Sainsbury's. We are committed to offering the best possible value across a wide variety of products, whether that's through our value Stamford Street range, Low Everyday Prices, Nectar Prices, or our current biggest ever Aldi Price Match offer.'