Sainsbury’s loyalty card holders have been cautioned about potential savings differences after a price comparison revealed disparities between the supermarket giant and budget-friendly Aldi.
Consumer watchdog Which? conducted daily price checks on a basket of groceries across the UK’s major supermarkets throughout 2024, unveiling Aldi as the cheapest supermarket every single month of the year.
Lidl ranked as the second cheapest each month, charging an average of £1.99 more than Aldi. At the other end of the spectrum, Waitrose consistently ranked as the most expensive for the typical shopping list—except in September, when Sainsbury’s took the top spot for shoppers without a Nectar card.
How the Prices Compare
The Which? analysis compared the cost of 56 branded and own-label groceries in December 2024, with the following results:
- Aldi: £100.29 (cheapest)
- Lidl: Slightly more expensive, but close to Aldi
- Sainsbury’s (Nectar Card Holders): £112.13
- Sainsbury’s (Without Nectar Card): £116.00
- Tesco (Clubcard Holders): £111.22
- Tesco (Without Clubcard): £112.90
- Waitrose: £129.83 (most expensive)
Shoppers with a Nectar card saved an average of £12 per weekly shop at Sainsbury’s, equating to a potential annual savings of £624 compared to those without the card.
Expert Insights
Harry Rose, editor of Which? magazine, emphasized the potential savings for budget-conscious consumers:
“Aldi has held its title as the UK’s cheapest supermarket in 2024. With the added expenses of the festive season, many families will be keen to cut costs. Switching supermarkets can result in significant savings, underscoring the value of shopping around when possible.”
The analysis included universally available discounts and loyalty prices but excluded multibuy offers.
Key Takeaway
While loyalty cards like Nectar and Tesco’s Clubcard can help shoppers save, Aldi continues to offer the most consistently low prices. Switching to budget supermarkets could provide a welcome relief for households aiming to reduce their grocery bills.
