Discount retail chain Aldi wrapped up another great year here with a shiny new gift in late December – the honour of being named the Cheapest Supermarket in the UK for 2022.
The latest Which? report, coming on the heels of others throughout the year that touted Aldi as least expensive for shoppers, officially gave them their second consecutive crown. They nosed out fellow discount rival Lidl, whom other outlets had given the highest marks to during the year.
But it wasn’t meant to be. Aldi, with average shop just over £81 beat out Lidl by a mere two pounds.
“We’re absolutely delighted to be yet again named the Cheapest Supermarket of the Year,” Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi, said. “As we head into the new year with continuing uncertainty and further challenging times ahead, we want to assure our customers that Aldi remains resolutely committed to providing them with the best quality products at the lowest possible prices. We are delighted that our efforts have been recognised by Which? for a second consecutive year.”
Regardless of which shop customers are choosing, they are saving a bundle compared to the competition. That same basket of items at Tesco, still the No. 1 retailer in the UK according to the last Kantar Worldpanel report, is £11.79 more than Aldi, while Sainsbury’s is £14.08 more expensive. Customers headed to Waitrose are spending an astounding £30.99 more than at the discounter. Over the course of 52 weeks, that is more than £1,500.
Many retailers did well during the Christmas season, helped by the World Cup in early December, but even their Aldi price matches couldn’t get them level. It will be intriguing to see whether they will continue to try to discount their items or whether they will revert back on those items, including fresh produce. Aldi during its Christmas run hugely discounted some staple vegetables to lure in more shoppers. That helped as inflation, though ticking down ever so slightly, remained above 14%.
