A supermarket that was declared the cheapest for the same basic items almost two years ago has now been classified as the most expensive.
The Manchester Evening News has been tracking the prices of eight basic items from six of the most popular supermarkets for more than two years, as shoppers try to save as much as possible.
We’ve been looking at the cost of basic versions of bread, milk, coffee, tea bags, butter, baked beans, chicken and mince against the cost of living at six supermarkets since March 2022: Tesco, Lidl, Asda, Morrisons, Aldi and Sainsbury’s .
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This week, the cost of the eight basic items from each of the six supermarkets has remained the same as in last week’s comparison – meaning Tesco’s recent 30p price increase on its 300g chicken remains intact.
That means Tesco remains the most expensive this week, with its eight-item shopping basket totaling £12.62 – 29p more than Asda and Sainsbury’s, their nearest competitors at £12.33.
Like last week, Lidl is the cheapest supermarket this week, with the total remaining the same at £12.11. With a few more pence, Aldi’s total is £12.14. Morrisons remains in the middle of the pack at £12.27.
Most interestingly, this week’s list shows how prices can fluctuate and change. Almost two years ago, in August 2022, Tesco was named the cheapest supermarket of the bunch, with Lidl in second place.
As usual, it’s important to note that Aldi disputes the results of our weekly comparison, saying it doesn’t take into account similar products or ‘the higher quality’ of its products. For example, Aldi says their beans are 20 grams heavier than Sainsbury’s and their tea bags are ‘better quality’ than the other products mentioned.
Asda also disagrees with our comparison, saying the small sample of products is not representative of the full price picture and does not take into account the offers. The supermarket says its Just Essentials range is the largest and cheapest across the board, alongside Aldi’s.
The full list is as follows:
Lidl
White bread 800g – 45pcs
Milk 2 pints – £1.20
Coffee 200g – £1.99
Tea Bags 240 – £2.79 / equivalent to £1.86 for 160
Salted Butter 250g – £1.69
Beans can 420g – 28 pcs
Chicken 300g – £2.35
Chop 500g 25% fat – £2.29
Total £12.11
Aldi
White bread 800g – 45pcs
Milk 2 pints – £1.20
Coffee 200g – £1.99
Tea Bags 160 – £1.89
Salted Butter 250g – £1.69
Beans can 420g – 28 pcs
Chicken 300g – £2.35
Chop 500g 25% fat – £2.29
Total £12.14
Morrisons
White bread 800g – 45pcs
Milk 2 pints – £1.20
Coffee (2 x 100g) – £1.98
Tea Bags 160 (2 x 80-pack Savers) – £1.58
Savers Salted Butter 250g – £1.69
Beans can 410g – 27 pcs
Chicken 300g – £2.65 for 330g, works out to £2.41 for 300g
Chop 500g 25% fat – £2.29
Total £12.27
Asda
White bread 800g – 45pcs
Milk 2 pints – £1.20
Coffee 200g (2 x 100g) – £1.98
Tea Bags 160 (4 x 40 pieces) – £1.60
Salted Butter 250g – £1.69
Beans can 410g – 27 pcs
Chicken 300g – £2.65
Chop 500g 20% fat -€2.49
Total £12.33
Sainsbury’s
White bread 800g – 45pcs
Milk 2 pints – £1.20
Coffee 200g – £1.99
Tea Bags 160 – £1.89
Salted Butter 250g – £1.69
Beans can 400g – 27 pcs
Chicken 300g – £2.35
Chop 500g 20% fat – £2.49
Total £12.33
Tesco
White bread 800g – 45pcs
Milk 2 pints – £1.20
Coffee 200g (2 x 100g) – £1.98
Tea Bags 160 (2 x 80 pack) – £1.88
Salted Butter 250g – £1.69
Beans can 420g – 28 pcs
Chicken 300g – £2.65
Chop 500g 20% fat – £2.49
Total £12.62