Asda Norwich-001

Asda made it seven wins in a row this week and there was nothing lucky about it, with the retailer comfortably cheaper than its rivals.

At £74.04, Asda came in £5.50 cheaper than runner-up Morrisons, offering the lowest price for 20 products and exclusively so for 12, including the Caesar dressing, plums, Tilda rice and Weetabix Crispy Minis.

Given the soaring prices that have been receiving media coverage, it was interesting to note very little inflation on this week’s basket. Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s all had more price increases than decreases and across the five supermarkets, prices were just 0.7% more expensive than last year and actually down 1.3% on last month.

Tesco was the only retailer to see a significant hike in prices versus 2021, up 5.7%. Sainsbury’s prices were up 2% and Waitrose just 0.2% while Asda and Morrisons were 2% and 1.5% cheaper than last February.

Morrisons offered the lowest price for 12 lines and was exclusively cheapest for five including the Captain Morgan rum and red grapefruit. It also had the most promotional activity this week with 13 offers. Asda was carrying 10 deals, Sainsbury’s nine and Tesco eight. Waitrose had just three.

Sainsbury’s was £6.30 more expensive than Asda at £80.34. It was cheapest for 13 lines and exclusively so on the beansprouts, Heinz Beanz and white loaf.

Tesco was £7.94 more expensive than Asda at £81.98. Were we to factor in its Clubcard Prices deals the retailer’s total would have been reduced to £75,73, still £1.69 more expensive than its Leeds-based rival.

Significantly higher prices for the likes of the rum, chocolate cake, plums and Lucozade Energy left Waitrose well off the pace. At £98.80 it was nearly £25 dearer than Asda.