Dr Mobeus
The £50 Challenge: Can Switching Supermarkets Actually Save You That Much?
We’ve all heard the advice: “Shop at Aldi or Lidl and you’ll save a fortune.” But how much do you really save? And is it worth the hassle of changing where you shop every week? We decided to find out — by doing a proper supermarket swap challenge and tracking every single penny.
The short answer: yes, you can save £50 a week. But it’s not quite as simple as just walking into a different shop. Here’s what we learned after a month of swapping, comparing and keeping receipts.
How We Set Up the Challenge
We took a typical family weekly shop — the kind of basket a family of four would buy at one of the “Big Four” supermarkets (Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda or Morrisons). Then we bought the equivalent items at Aldi, Lidl, Iceland and online-only options. Same meals, same quantities, same week.
We’re not talking about downgrading to value ranges on everything. This was like-for-like as much as possible — same type of products, same quality tier where available. The goal was to see what you’d actually save just by walking through different doors.
The Results: What We Actually Saved
Here’s what a typical weekly basket cost at each supermarket (family of four, standard weekly shop):
- Tesco: £87.40
- Sainsbury’s: £91.20
- Asda: £79.60
- Morrisons: £83.50
- Aldi: £58.30
- Lidl: £55.80
- Iceland: £62.40
The difference between the priciest shop (Sainsbury’s) and the cheapest (Lidl) was £35.40 in a single week. Over a year, that’s £1,841. Even switching from Tesco to Aldi saves nearly £30 a week — that’s £1,500+ a year.
Now, these numbers aren’t perfect. Not every product is available at every supermarket. Aldi and Lidl don’t stock some branded items, and you might need an extra trip somewhere else for specific things. But even accounting for that, the savings are real and significant.
What’s Actually Cheaper at the Discounters?
The biggest savings come from specific categories. Here’s where Aldi and Lidl really shine:
Fruit and Vegetables
This is where the discounters absolutely dominate. A bag of carrots at Aldi costs around 59p. At Sainsbury’s, you’re paying £1.10 for the same amount. Peppers, onions, potatoes, apples — you’ll typically pay 30-50% less. The quality is genuinely comparable too. Aldi’s Super 6 deals (six fruit and veg items at reduced prices, changing every two weeks) are hard to beat.
Meat and Poultry
Chicken breast at Aldi is around £6.49/kg. At Tesco, the equivalent is £8.50/kg. Mince beef follows a similar pattern. The discounters’ own-label meat is significantly cheaper, and in taste tests, it often matches or beats the big brands. If you’re used to buying branded meat, you could save £10-15 a week just here.
Pantry Staples
Pasta, rice, tinned tomatoes, baked beans, flour, cooking oil — the basics are universally cheaper at Aldi and Lidl. A tin of chopped tomatoes at Aldi is 39p. At Tesco, the own-brand equivalent is 65p. These small differences add up fast when you’re buying 20+ items.
Dairy and Eggs
Milk, butter, cheese and eggs are consistently cheaper at the discounters. A dozen free-range eggs at Lidl costs around £1.89. At Sainsbury’s, you’re looking at £2.50+ for the equivalent. Over a year, dairy savings alone could be £150+.
What’s NOT Cheaper (Or Worth Paying More For)
It’s not all win-win. Here’s where the discounters fall short:
Branded Products
If you’re loyal to specific brands — Heinz beans, Coca-Cola, Kellogg’s cereal — Aldi and Lidl won’t save you money because they don’t stock them. Their own-brand alternatives are cheaper and some are genuinely good, but if you can’t live without your brands, you’ll need a second shop.
Choice and Variety
Aldi stocks roughly 1,800 products. Tesco has over 30,000. If you need a specific ingredient for a recipe, there’s a good chance Aldi won’t have it. This means extra trips, which cost time and petrol.
Specialist and Dietary Products
Gluten-free, vegan, organic, world foods — the discounters have improved massively, but their ranges are still limited compared to the big supermarkets. If you have dietary requirements, you’ll probably still need a Tesco or Sainsbury’s trip too.
The Hybrid Approach: The Smartest Way to Shop
After a month of testing, here’s what actually works best for most people: a hybrid approach.
Step 1: Do Your Main Shop at Aldi or Lidl
Buy your basics, fruit, veg, meat and dairy at the discounter. This is where you save the most money. Plan your meals around what’s available there and make the most of the Super 6 and middle-of-aisle specials.
Step 2: Top Up at a Big Supermarket for Specific Items
Get your branded products, specialist items and anything Aldi doesn’t stock from Tesco, Sainsbury’s or Asda. Do this less frequently — maybe once a fortnight for a smaller basket.
Step 3: Use Online for Bulk and Deals
For things like washing powder, loo roll and cleaning products, check online deals and discount codes before you shop. Amazon Subscribe & Save, bulk buy sites and cashback offers can beat supermarket prices on household essentials.
Money-Saving Tips That Work Whatever Supermarket You Use
You don’t have to switch supermarkets to save money. These tips work everywhere:
Never Shop Hungry
It sounds obvious, but research shows hungry shoppers spend 20-30% more. Eat before you go, make a list and stick to it.
Downshift One Brand Level
Try dropping one brand tier on everything. If you usually buy premium, try standard. If you buy branded, try own-brand. If you buy own-brand, try value. The yellow sticker bargains approach works for this too — downshift on price, not quality.
Check the Price Per Unit
Supermarkets are sneaky. The “special offer” isn’t always the cheapest. Look at the price per kg or per litre (it’s usually on the shelf label in small print). Sometimes the bigger pack costs more per unit than the smaller one. Always compare the unit price, not the total price.
Shop at the Right Time
Yellow sticker reductions happen at specific times. Asda tends to reduce in the morning. Tesco and Sainsbury’s reduce in the evening (6-8pm). Aldi and Lidl reduce fresh items on the last day of their shelf life — ask staff when they mark things down.
Use Cashback and Voucher Apps
Apps like GreenJinn, Shopmium and CheckoutSmart offer cashback on specific products at specific supermarkets. You buy the item, upload your receipt and get money back. It’s typically 20p-£2 per item. If you use these regularly, you could earn £10-20 a month back on products you were buying anyway.
The Real Savings: A Year in Numbers
Let’s be realistic. Not everyone will save £50 every single week. But based on our challenge, here’s what a realistic year looks like:
- Switching main shop to Aldi/Lidl: Save £25-35 per week = £1,300-£1,800 per year
- Using yellow stickers strategically: Save £5-10 per week = £260-£520 per year
- Cashback apps on regular purchases: Save £2-5 per week = £100-£260 per year
- Downshifting one brand tier: Save £5-8 per week = £260-£400 per year
Even if you only do one or two of these, you’re looking at £250+ a year. Do all of them and you could save £2,000+ — that’s a holiday, a chunk off the mortgage, or a very decent emergency fund.
Should You Switch? Our Honest Verdict
Yes — at least partly. You don’t have to abandon your current supermarket entirely. But doing your main weekly shop at Aldi or Lidl and topping up elsewhere is the single easiest way to save money on food without eating worse meals or spending more time in the kitchen.
The key is being strategic. Don’t drive 20 minutes to save £3 on veg. Don’t buy things you won’t eat just because they’re cheap. And don’t feel guilty about keeping some branded products if they genuinely make your life better.
For more ways to cut your food bills, check out our money-saving food shopping tips and our guide to feeding a family of four on £40 a week. Small changes add up fast.
