Competition for the title of cheapest retailer was as fierce as ever this week, but Tesco kept Morrisons at bay again to claim top spot for a second week running. 

The race could not have been much closer as Tesco beat its nearest rival to the post by just 4p and third-placed Asda by just 8p. 

Its victory was all the more remarkable for the fact that it came despite several price rises and no significant price cuts. 

The price of four items went up this week: own-label frozen fruits of the forest by 24p; Aunt Bessie’s Yorkshire Puddings by 19p; pineapples by 11p; and lemons by 7p. But the most significant factor behind Tesco’s win was the continuing half-price promotion on Goodfella’s Solos, which was back to full price at its rivals. Tesco’s cause was also helped by price rises on sausages at three of its rivals.

Morrisons reduced Cheestrings to £1 this week, which coupled with its £1.48 fruits of the forest – 50p cheaper than at its nearest rival – earned it second place. But it could have nicked the top spot had it not ended promotions on Goodfella’s Solos and own-brand sausages, or increased Ocean Spray by 20p.

Despite being beaten on fewer prices than any other retailer this week – just six of the 33 items – Asda could only manage third place, though this was better than last week. Asda reduced Cadbury’s Dairy Milk by 38p to £1 and knocked 9p off Marmite. This would have been enough to secure the title had it not upped the prices of its sausages and fruits of the forest by 33p and 20p respectively.

Sainsbury’s trailed behind its rivals, slipping into fourth place at £1.34 more expensive than Tesco. It took 7p off its Greek yoghurt, but more than negated this saving with a 27p price increase on sausages and a 19p rise on Aunt Bessie’s Yorkshire Puddings.

Waitrose remained in fifth place, but closed the price gap on the cheapest retailer significantly, from £8.69 last week to £3.64. A 25% price cut on Hardys wine, from £6.19 to £4.69, helped, and it was also the only retailer not to increase any of its prices week-on-week.