Grocery shopping represents a significant weekly expense for many households, with prices seeming to rise relentlessly. For those who conduct one major weekly shop to stock up on meals, toiletries, and cleaning essentials, the cumulative cost can be substantial.
The Rising Cost of the Weekly Shop
Over recent months, I observed my own weekly food bill climbing steadily. As part of a household comprising two adults and one cat, I found myself consistently spending between £80 and £90 each week. This regular outlay prompted a determination to find ways to reduce my food expenditure without sacrificing quality or quantity.
A Simple Switch with Dramatic Results
I decided to implement one straightforward change to see what impact it might have. To my considerable surprise, this single adjustment allowed me to slash a full £20 from my weekly grocery bill. I have now managed to reduce my average food expenses to approximately £65, with costs typically ranging between £60 and £70 weekly.
This represents a substantial saving, particularly as I have not needed to compromise on any products. I continue to purchase the same quantity of items as before, which covers six dinners and lunches for the week. The composition of my shopping basket remains unchanged, including a mix of supermarket own-brand and branded goods such as Sure deodorants, Lurpak butter, and Whiskas cat food.
The Supermarket Swap That Made the Difference
The pivotal change I made was abandoning Sainsbury's and giving Asda a trial. For several years while shopping at Sainsbury's, I believed I was securing bargains through their Nectar prices scheme. However, since switching supermarkets, I have witnessed far greater reductions to my overall bill thanks to Asda's competitive pricing structure.
Unlike Tesco and Sainsbury's, which operate different pricing tiers for loyalty card holders, Asda maintains consistent pricing for all customers. Instead, they offer a Rewards app where shoppers can accumulate money toward future purchases. This approach appears to deliver more consistent savings across the board.
Considering the Discount Alternatives
While Aldi and Lidl are widely recognised as the UK's most affordable supermarkets, I have found they don't always stock the complete range of products I require for a full weekly shop. I personally prefer larger supermarkets where I can obtain all household essentials alongside specific branded goods in a single trip.
What the Consumer Watchdogs Say
Consumer organisation Which? recently named Asda as the cheapest supermarket in 2025 for larger shopping baskets. Their year-long study involved tracking grocery prices at all major UK supermarkets on a daily basis.
The findings revealed Aldi as the cheapest overall, with Lidl in second place and Waitrose proving the most expensive. However, when Which? analysed bigger shopping baskets typical of weekly shops, they excluded Aldi and Lidl from their calculations due to their more limited product ranges.
This adjusted analysis showed Asda emerging as the most budget-friendly option for larger shops, closely followed by Tesco when shoppers utilise a Clubcard. Sainsbury's ranked as the second most expensive option, with Waitrose topping the list for cost.
A Worthwhile Experiment for Any Shopper
I would not have anticipated that something as simple as switching supermarkets could yield such significant savings. If your own food bill feels excessively steep, it may be worthwhile exploring whether shopping at an alternative supermarket could substantially reduce your weekly costs. The potential £20 weekly saving I've achieved demonstrates that sometimes the most effective solutions are surprisingly straightforward.
