Featured image: A young Black man is standing in a supermarket aisle. AI-generated image; not a photograph of the reported event.
A new Which? price comparison has found that Tesco is slightly cheaper than Asda for branded groceries — but only for shoppers using a Clubcard. Source: skintdad.co.uk.
What Happened
The research looked at 219 branded products across September.
It found that, with a Clubcard, Tesco’s average cost for these products was lower than Asda’s.
Key Facts
- Tesco beat Asda only when Clubcard discounts were applied.
- Without Clubcard, Tesco’s average cost was higher than that of Waitrose and Ocado.
- 146 of the products had Clubcard promotions during September.
- Aldi was cheapest overall in a separate comparison of everyday groceries.
- Asda and Tesco were not included in the branded-grocery analysis due to low product overlap with Aldi and Lidl.
How the Comparison Works
Which? checked prices daily during September and calculated average costs for each supermarket.
The data covers all 219 products, not a typical household shopping list. It is based on September averages and may not reflect current store prices.
Why It Matters
The study highlights how loyalty card discounts can dramatically shift prices — sometimes making a supermarket appear cheaper than it actually is.
For example, removing Clubcard discounts raised Tesco’s price above that of Waitrose and Ocado for the same products.
However, a discount does not always mean the lowest price is available. Price per unit (like per 100g or litre) is still a better indicator of value.
Limitations and Caveats
This comparison does not reflect overall supermarket value.
It only includes branded products, not own-brand or everyday groceries.
Shoppers who mainly buy own-brand items may not benefit from this result.
One product — a pack of 50 Pampers nappies — showed a £5 price difference between Asda and Waitrose, highlighting how individual items vary widely.
What to Watch Next
Which? will continue its monthly comparisons of branded and everyday groceries.
For a full picture, readers should compare prices of products they actually buy weekly.
For practical tips on saving money on groceries, see our guide on how to save money on groceries.
If you shop at Tesco, using your Clubcard can help reduce costs — especially on products with member-only discounts.
But always check the price per unit. A larger pack or a different brand might offer better value.
Ultimately, the best way to save money is to compare the products you actually buy — not rely on supermarket rankings.
