The cheapest supermarket named - and it beats Aldi, Tesco Clubcard and Sainsbury's Nectar prices

The study compared the cost of everyday groceries such as bread, milk, butter and frozen peas across eight major UK supermarkets.

Even without a Lidl Plus card, Lidl’s basket came to £120.46, still slightly cheaper than Aldi’s £121.

It’s only the second time in recent months that Lidl has beaten Aldi, ending its rival’s two-year winning streak of 22 monthly titles.

Other supermarkets were noticeably pricier. Tesco shoppers paid £134.89 for the same basket, or £133.38 with a Clubcard. At Sainsbury’s, it cost £139.68, or £136.79 with a Nectar card.

Asda came in third at £132.69, while Waitrose was the most expensive at £163.04.

Which? said the results show the growing supermarket price battle, with Lidl once again breaking Aldi’s long run at the top.

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The consumer group's methodology incorporated special offers and loyalty scheme discounts where available, though excluded multi-buy promotions from calculations.

For larger shops, Which? also compared 187 items, though Aldi and Lidl weren’t included because they stock fewer branded goods.

Asda came out cheapest again, with the full trolley costing £469.11.

Tesco shoppers with a Clubcard would pay £476.11 for the same basket, while Morrisons customers using a More card would spend £481.34.

Waitrose was once again the most expensive, though Which? didn’t share the exact total for the bigger shop.

The findings highlight how much households can save by comparing prices, especially for bigger weekly food shops.

Reena Sewraz, Which? Retail Editor, emphasised the significance of these findings for budget-conscious shoppers.

She said: "Lidl has bagged the top spot as the UK's cheapest supermarket for the second time in just a few months, according to our latest price analysis, showing that it can beat Aldi even for those who aren't signed up to its discount scheme."

She highlighted broader implications for household budgets during the festive period. "High food prices are still a growing concern for many households, especially as we approach Christmas, but our analysis shows it pays to shop around; simply choosing one supermarket over another could save you 26 per cent."

The substantial percentage difference underscores the potential impact of strategic shopping choices on family finances.