As the cost of living crisis continues to plague thousands across the UK, many are surprised to find historically more pricey supermarkets offering cheaper alternatives.
And one shopper was delighted with Sainsbury’s deals – typically considered less affordable for everyday groceries.
Caitlin Rolle, 35, said that while she previously considered it to be on the ‘high end’ alongside Marks & Spencer or Waitrose, the orange-branded retailer has been great for her.
‘They not only price match Aldi, they also have better quality foods.” the mother-of-six told Manchester Evening News. ‘I like the Nectar card savings and on the smart shop you get some great deals on items you regularly buy.’
Looking at the price per the cheapest five-pack of bananas – compared to three other famously ‘budget’ stores online – MailOnline found that Sainsbury’s (71p) matched the price of Aldi’s offering (also 71p) and cost less than Morrisons (89p) and Asda (£1).
Are the ‘posh supermarket’s undercutting the budget stores? Caitlin Rolle, 35, from Manchester said that while she previously considered Sainsbury’s to be on the ‘high end’ alongside Marks & Spencer or Waitrose, the orange-branded retailer has been great for her (Pictured: The current price of bananas at four UK supermarkets)
She told the outlet about her strict budgeting rules when buying for her family of eight, all contained in a monthly £350 shop – which usually ends up being around £90 per week.
However, there is also a weekly milk and bread top up if needed. The homemaker caters for her children; five daughters aged between 10 -17 as well as a six-month-old son.
Caitlin praised Sainsbury’s 12 breaded ham slices at £1.75 for 300g, which she says it tastier and more affordable than her local Morrison’s.
The salami was to her liking as well, with her family using six packs a week, usually in sandwiches.
To save money, the savvy spender tends to cook most dishes from scratch and sticks to a meal plan, explaining that baking snacks at home also saves on unnecessary purchases outside.
The mother-of-six, pictured, sticks to a £90 a week shopping budget to feed her five daughters, one son and her partner
Caitlin praised Sainsbury’s 12 breaded ham slices at £1.75 for 300g, which she says it tastier and more affordable than her local Morrison’s
Caitlin said she buys a mix of store-branded and branded products, and even buys all the baby products and toiletries from the supermarket.
An Asda spokesperson said: ‘Asda is the lowest-priced traditional supermarket and has invested heavily during the last 12 months to keep prices in check for customers, while introducing new money-saving initiatives.
‘These include Asda Rewards, which gives customers money off at the tills rather than points, and Just Essentials, a new range of 300 value products designed to help keep households running on the tightest of budgets.’
Aldi have also insisted that claims from some shoppers don’t reflect a trend – and that it would be wrong to suggest that customers were fleeing from them to Sainsbury’s.
Caitlin said she buys a mix of store-branded and branded products, and even buys all the baby products and toiletries from the supermarket
To save money, the savvy spender tends to cook most dishes from scratch and sticks to a meal plan, explaining that baking snacks at home also saves on unnecessary purchases outside
A spokesperson for the retailer said: ‘Week after week, independent price surveys confirm what shoppers know already – that Aldi is the lowest-priced supermarket in the UK.
‘That’s why Aldi has been named by Which? as the UK’s cheapest supermarket for two years running. In the last three months alone, Aldi attracted an additional 1.3 million customers, as shoppers switch in their droves from every single major UK supermarket, including Sainsbury’s.’
MailOnline has also reached out to Morrisons for comment.
It comes as Aldi has partnered with popular food waste app Too Good To Go, rolling out the service across all of its 990 stores in the UK.
Shoppers will now be able to snag products approaching their sell-by or use-by dates at less than a third of the price. Stock image used
Shoppers will now be able to snag products approaching their sell-by or use-by dates at less than a third of the price, with £10 worth of food able to purchase at £3.30.
The ‘Magic Bags’ promise a range of groceries, in a mission to eliminate food waste across the country.
The move comes following a successful trial last year, and customers need only download the Too Good To Go app to participate.
Shoppers can search up an Aldi store near them and reserve a bag collection for a scheduled time slot. The rollout hopes to save a further 4,000 tonnes of food from being wasted annually.
‘With the rising cost of living impacting so many, Too Good To Go offers a simple and accessible way for consumers to save money and reduce waste,’ the supermarket’s Corporate Responsibility Director Liz Fox said.
She praised the partnership for allowing the store to ‘cut down on food waste, while also offering customers the opportunity to pick up our food at even lower prices’.
All of the outlet’s UK stores will also continue to donate food to local causes for 365 days of the year.
Sophie Trueman, Managing Director of Too Good To Go UK and Ireland, added: ‘We’re thrilled to be rolling out our partnership with Aldi nationally.
‘Having already had fantastic feedback during a successful trial period, I know our Too Good To Go community is going to jump at the chance to save Magic Bags from their local Aldi and prevent even more good food from going to waste.’
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk