Clubcard Prices savings help Tesco to Grocer 33 pricing win

Tesco proved the cheapest retailer for the second time in just four weeks and – in keeping with its latest triumphs – its Clubcard Prices savings were the deciding factor.

At £68.44, the UK’s biggest supermarket came in just 95p cheaper than Asda. It offered the lowest price for 14 items and was exclusively cheapest for four: the Alpro desserts, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, the mango and the Weetabix Crispy Minis.

As well as an instant discount of £7.61 for Clubcard members, Tesco was also the most successful retailer in battling inflation this week. Our shopping list was 3.4% cheaper at Tesco than it would have been in March 2024.

Asda, by contrast, was just 0.8% cheaper year on year. However, it was cheapest for 20 items and exclusively so for 11, including the hot cross buns, lamb chops, salted crisps and sweetcorn.

There were only two genuine contenders in the running this week, with a big drop-off to the other retailers we visited.

Third-placed Morrisons came in £6.09 more expensive than Tesco at £74.53. It was 4.8% more expensive than this time last year.

Meanwhile, last week’s winner Sainsbury’s maintained flat prices compared with a year ago – and only managed fourth place this time out.

At £75.39, Sainsbury’s came in £6.95 more expensive than leader Tesco.

Waitrose, meanwhile, was 2.3% cheaper year on year, but that did little for its overall competitiveness.

It came in £11.63 more expensive than Tesco at £80.07. This was despite being exclusively cheapest for the Oxo stock pots, Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese and the Tetley teabags.

In terms of overall prices, this week’s shopping list was 1.7% cheaper versus last month and 0.3% cheaper year on year.