(Image: Newsquest)
Aldi has been named the UK's cheapest supermarket for the 11th consecutive month, with new figures suggesting shoppers could save hundreds of pounds a year simply by switching where they do their weekly shop.
Analysis by consumer group Which? found that customers who chose Aldi over average competitor supermarkets saved £333 between January and September.
Those swapping from the most expensive retailer, Waitrose, saved nearly £64 on a single basket.
Julie Ashfield, chief commercial officer at Aldi UK, said: "Families shouldn’t have to make sacrifices to the activities, treats, or hobbies they enjoy just because everyday household budgets are under pressure.
"The latest Which? data clearly demonstrates that shoppers can make substantial, ongoing savings simply by changing where they do their weekly shop.
"As the price gap between Aldi and traditional supermarkets continues to grow, that’s extra cash staying directly in customer pockets for days out, family treats, or saving towards Christmas.
"Shoppers don't need to change their lifestyle to save money – they just need to change their supermarket."
The price difference between Aldi and its competitors has grown by over 26 per cent since January, reaching an average monthly saving of £38.57.
In September, Aldi was named the cheapest supermarket based on a basket of 93 everyday items totalling £159.48.
Rival supermarkets with loyalty schemes were still significantly more expensive: Tesco was £28.23 higher, Sainsbury’s £29.47, Morrisons £33.45, and Waitrose £63.90 more.
Reena Sewraz, retail editor at Which?, said: "With energy bills a major concern as the cold weather approaches, many households will be looking for ways to trim the cost of their food shop.
"A £60 mark-up on everyday groceries is a steep price to pay for store loyalty.
"September’s analysis proves once again that the discounters are the place to go to save – and when the cost gap is that wide, switching where you shop remains the quickest way to cut your grocery bill."
The top three cheapest supermarkets in September were Aldi (£159.48), Lidl (incl. loyalty discount) (£161.48), and Lidl (£161.84).
At the other end of the scale, Waitrose shoppers paid £223.38 for the same basket of goods.