Families in more than 200 towns across the UK are paying significantly more for their weekly food shop because they lack access to nearby discount supermarkets, according to new research from Aldi.
Households in some areas are spending up to £2,437 extra each year simply because they do not have a local discounter, describing the situation as a “postcode penalty” affecting shoppers nationwide.
The analysis showed that households without a local Aldi spend £826 more on average each year than those who can shop at the chain.
In areas served only by higher‑priced supermarkets, they say the additional cost rises sharply, with families paying close to £2,500 more annually for groceries.
The affected towns stretch from Stonehaven in Scotland to Totnes in the South West, and that the discounter gap touches every region of the UK, including 35 towns in the South East, 30 in the East of England and 25 in Scotland.
The findings come shortly after Aldi was named Britain’s cheapest supermarket for the fifth consecutive year by consumer group Which?, which tracks grocery prices daily across major retailers.
In December, a basket of 68 popular items cost £123.60 at Aldi, narrowly cheaper than Lidl at £123.70.
Asda charged £134.89 for the same shop, while Waitrose was the most expensive at £170.46 — £46.86 more than Aldi.
Aldi was named Britain’s cheapest supermarket for the fifth consecutive year by consumer group Which?
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Across 2025, the priciest supermarket was on average 35 per cent more expensive than the cheapest, with Aldi topping the affordability rankings in 10 out of 12 months.
Jonathan Neale, managing director of national real estate at Aldi UK, said location should not dictate food costs, arguing that every household should have access to high‑quality, affordable food.
With living costs rising, he said, access to discounters has become increasingly important, noting that local availability “isn’t just convenient — it can save families hundreds of pounds a year”.
He added that expanding access to Aldi is “one of the simplest ways to reduce the cost of living for many”.
Aldi conducted the research
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AldiThe figures are based on Which?’s tracking of a typical 68‑item basket.
Aldi said it invested £650million in the UK during 2025 through new store openings and refurbishments, with each new branch expected to create around 40 jobs.
The supermarket has pledged a further £1.6billion of investment over the next two years as it works towards a long‑term target of 1,500 UK locations and plans to open around 40 new stores annually.
An 180-item basket is £78.35 more expensive at Waitrose than Aldi
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GETTY IMAGESReena Sewraz, retail editor at Which?, said supermarket choice can make a significant difference to household budgets, noting that “choosing one supermarket over another could save shoppers hundreds of pounds over the course of a year”.
Which? also compared prices for larger weekly shops, finding that Asda was the cheapest non‑discounter, with a 180‑item basket costing £450.82 compared with £529.17 at Waitrose.
The consumer group said the findings highlight the ongoing cost pressures facing families across the UK.
Aldi said it would continue expanding its store network to address gaps in access to affordable food, adding that improving availability remains a central part of its strategy as household budgets remain under strain.