10 Cheapest Places to Buy Groceries in the UK (2025 Guide)
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Looking to save money on food shopping in the UK? Whether you're a student, migrant, or young family trying to budget better, finding affordable grocery stores is key. This 2025 guide lists the top 10 cheapest places to buy groceries — with real tips on what to buy, where, and how to make your money go further.
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🔟 1. Aldi – Best for Weekly Essentials
Aldi consistently ranks as the UK's cheapest supermarket. Their own-brand products often match or beat top brands for quality and price.
Best buys: Fresh produce, dairy, bakery items, frozen food
Tip: Visit early in the day for the best “Super 6” fruit & veg deals.
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9. Lidl – Budget-Friendly and Expanding Fast
Lidl rivals Aldi in affordability and selection. Their "Middle of Lidl" specials include surprise discounts on non-food items.
Best buys: Meats, cereal, snacks, and weekly deals
Tip: Use the Lidl Plus app for extra in-store coupons.
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8. Asda – Great for Families
With large stores and frequent promotions, Asda is a favourite for bulk buying.
Best buys: Household goods, rice, pasta, and school lunch items
Tip: Use their Smart Price range for rock-bottom prices.
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7. Iceland – Best for Frozen Foods
Iceland offers generous multi-buy deals and budget frozen meals.
Best buys: Frozen pizza, veggies, ready meals
Tip: Join the Bonus Card scheme for exclusive offers.
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6. Tesco – Convenient With a Clubcard Edge
Tesco isn’t always the cheapest, but with Clubcard prices, you can save a lot.
Best buys: Own-brand products, toiletries, bakery
Tip: Always scan your Clubcard at checkout.
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5. Morrisons – Good Quality for Mid-Range Prices
Not as cheap as Aldi, but offers regular discounts and meal deals.
Best buys: Fresh meat, deli items, bakery goods
Tip: Use the MyMorrisons app to track loyalty rewards.
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4. Savers and Poundland – Cheap Dry Goods
These stores are perfect for picking up non-perishables like snacks, tinned food, and cleaning items.
Best buys: Canned food, toiletries, cleaning supplies
Tip: Always check expiry dates when buying in bulk.
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3. Local Markets – Hidden Gems
Farmers’ and street markets offer fresh produce at bargain prices, especially near closing time.
Best buys: Fruit, veg, bread
Tip: Haggle politely at the end of the day for discounts.
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2. Ethnic Stores – Great for Spices & Rice
Local Asian, African, and Eastern European shops often sell staples much cheaper than supermarkets.
Best buys: Bulk rice, oil, spices, plantain, yam
Tip: Buy in bulk and split with friends or housemates.
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1. Online Apps (Too Good To Go / Olio) – Surprising Savings
Apps like Too Good To Go and Olio let you grab unsold food at very low prices — sometimes for free!
Best for: Surprise bags, bakery, café food
Tip: Book early each day as offers sell out fast.
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💡 Extra Tips to Save Even More:
Plan meals ahead and shop with a list
Compare prices using Trolley.co.uk
Use cashback apps like Shopmium or TopCashback
Shop late in the evening for markdowns
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📢 Final Word:
Living on a budget in the UK doesn’t mean eating poorly. With a bit of planning and the right shopping spots, you can eat well and still save money. Follow UK Buddy for more UK living hacks!
📚 References
- Which? UK Supermarket Price Comparison (2025)
Source: https://www.which.co.uk/news - Aldi UK - Super 6 Offers
Source: https://www.aldi.co.uk/super-6 - Lidl UK - Weekly Offers & Lidl Plus App
Source: https://www.lidl.co.uk - Asda Smart Price Range and Rollbacks
Source: https://groceries.asda.com - Too Good To Go App – Food Waste Reduction
Source: https://toogoodtogo.com/en-gb - Olio App – Share More, Waste Less
Source: https://olioapp.com - Tesco Clubcard Offers and Discounts
Source: https://www.tesco.com - Trolley.co.uk – UK Grocery Price Comparison Tool
Source: https://www.trolley.co.uk - OpenAI’s ChatGPT
Content Support: This article was created with content structure, writing, and research assistance from ChatGPT, an AI tool developed by OpenAI, based on publicly available information as of 2025.
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