Asda has lost its position as the UK's cheapest supermarket for a large shop for the first time in over a year, according to new analysis by Which?. The consumer group's January 2025 price comparison found that Tesco, with a Clubcard discount, averaged £588.96 for a basket of 228 items, edging out Asda at £590.41.
The monthly survey compared prices at eight major supermarkets: Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury's, Tesco, and Waitrose. For the longer shopping list, Aldi and Lidl were excluded due to their smaller product ranges. Sainsbury's and Morrisons followed Tesco and Asda with loyalty scheme prices, while Waitrose was the most expensive at £679.20.
On a shorter list of 89 items, Aldi was the cheapest at £164.74, followed by Lidl (£166.33 with Lidl Plus, £166.53 without). Tesco with Clubcard was next at £182.92, and Waitrose again most expensive at £221.53—34% higher than Aldi. Which? noted that Aldi was the cheapest supermarket for 10 out of 12 months in 2025, making it the year's overall winner.
An Asda spokesperson countered that the retailer was the lowest-priced supermarket every month in 2025 on the Which? big trolley comparison, and £50 cheaper in January on a like-for-like basket without loyalty pricing. They added: “Asda remains the best-value supermarket for the big family shop with prices available to all.”
Which? retail editor Reena Sewraz commented: “While Aldi is the cheapest supermarket this month, the ongoing price competition among the discounters means Lidl also remains a strong money-saving choice. For those who prefer a wider range of branded products, shopping at Tesco with a Clubcard can offer good value. However, it's worth noting that Tesco's loyalty-linked discounts aren't accessible to everyone.”
