For First Time in 2 Years, Aldi Loses Cheapest Supermarket
Aldi has lost its status as the UK’s cheapest supermarket for the first time in two years. According to the latest Which? price comparison report, in July 2025 the average cost of a 76‑item shopping basket at Lidl was £128.40, while the same basket cost £129.25 at Aldi, a difference of 85p.
Why does that matter? Even a small price gap matters to price-sensitive shoppers managing tight budgets.
How Was Aldi Topped at Last?
For 20 consecutive months, Aldi led the charts as the cheapest discounter. However Lidl’s basket edged ahead in July, likely due to promotions, pricing strategies, or its Lidl Plus loyalty scheme, which saved members an additional 40p on average.
This is the first time Lidl has beaten Aldi on overall basket price since Aldi took back the title in 2023.
What Do the Numbers Say?
- Lidl basket: £128.40
- Aldi basket: £129.25
- Savings for Lidl Plus members: ~40p
- Comparison basket: 76 common branded and own‑brand items including bread, milk, peas, butter and more.
Other supermarkets like Tesco and Sainsbury’s remained significantly more expensive, even for loyalty card holders, showing the competitive edge discounters retain.
Why Did Lidl Overtake Aldi This Month?
That’s the question many consumers are asking. Lidl may have implemented strategic promotions or timing that lowered prices enough to surpass Aldi by a narrow margin. Aldi continues to offer low prices overall but missed the slight edge this time.
What Does This Mean for Shoppers?
The result highlights the importance of shopping around. Even among discounters, tiny price differences can add up over time. According to the same report, choosing the cheapest store for your regular shopping could save 25 % on average.
How Are Consumers Reacting on Social Media?
We checked reaction on X and found these comments:
@WhichUK reported on the shift:
“Lidl beats Aldi as cheapest supermarket in July for the first time in two years.”
@DavidNStocks1 added:
“Aldi loses by mere pennies but that’s enough to crown Lidl this month.”
@TheMancUK wrote:
“After 20 months of dominance by Aldi, Lidl takes top spot in price rankings.”
These reactions show shoppers closely follow price standings and sentiment can quickly shift.
Is Aldi’s Cost Advantage Gone for Good?
Not necessarily. Aldi is still widely regarded as one of the cheapest supermarkets. Recent reports confirmed it remains cheaper than mainstream chains like Tesco or Sainsbury’s by a significant margin. Aldi is also expanding aggressively, planning to open over 115 new UK stores this year to reach more shoppers.
How Do Mainstream Supermarkets Compare?
For larger 192‑item shopping lists, Asda remained the cheapest non‑discounter at £474.12, beating Tesco even with Clubcard pricing. Meanwhile Waitrose, as usual, continued to be the most expensive across both small and large baskets.
Why Does This Matter Now?
With food price inflation still affecting households, even small monthly savings can make a difference. Asda has recently accelerated its price cuts and launched a “rollback” strategy to regain footing in the pricing race, although discounters remain the cheapest options.
Tips to Save on Food Shopping
Here are some advice from consumer experts:
- Use loyalty cards for additional savings
- Sign up for food waste apps like Too Good to Go or Olio
- Hunt for yellow sticker bargains or imperfect produce
- Mix and match stores: buy basics at Lidl or Aldi, protein or fresh at other stores
These simple moves can collectively yield hundreds of pounds in annual savings.
Conclusion
For the first time in two years, Aldi has lost its title as the UK’s cheapest supermarket, with Lidl taking the lead by 85p per basket. While this is a narrow win, it shows price positions among discounters can shift. Aldi remains very competitive but must stay vigilant as Lidl continues to challenge aggressively.
For shoppers watching every penny, this small change could guide switching stores or loyalty sign‑ups. In the long run, shopping smartly still matters more than sticking to one brand blindfolded.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and not financial advice. Always conduct your research.