We bought 20 like-for-like items in Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco to see which is cheaper

Northern Ireland families are being forced to spend more money each week as the price of groceries continues to rise in our supermarkets.

According to research company Kantar, grocery prices are up 4.2% in the year to June, an increase of 0.6% on the previous month.

Their report also shows people are spending less in supermarkets compared with the highs of last year.

READ MORE: Rising costs leading to a 'mental health crisis worse than the pandemic' in Northern Ireland

Overall grocery sales dipped by 5.4% in the year to June, attributed to people eating fewer meals around the kitchen table, families adapting to life post-lockdown and a return to offices, schools, and restaurants.

Over the year, sales at our four main supermarkets — Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Lidl — dipped, with Lidl seeing the gentlest fall in sales at 1.1%.

Asda suffered the steepest drop (6.2%), followed by Sainsbury’s (4.8%) and Tesco (5.5%).

Tesco, which has around 50 local stores, had the largest market share at 36%, followed by Sainsbury’s (17%) and Asda (16.2%).

With household shops becoming more and more expensive, and other necessities rising in price, Belfast Live compared the price of 20 everyday items at Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda to find out which store is the best value for money.

Our shop included milk, bread, cheese and some fruit and veg.

In each case, we chose the cheapest option available and bought store-brand products where possible to get the best value for money.

Here's how it went:

Asda

1. Penne Pasta 1kg = £1.39
2. Bolognese pasta sauce 500g = £0.70
3. Basmati Rice 1kg = £1.85
4. Minced Beef 5% 500g = £2.90
5. Loaf of white bread (800g) = £0.70
6. Whole Milk (4 pint) = £1.45
7. Unsalted Butter (250g) = £1.75
8. Cooked Ham 400g = £2.00
9. Cheddar Cheese (400g) = £2.85
10. 6 free range medium eggs = £1.05
11. Honey Nut Corn Flakes (500g) = £1.00
12. 6 Gala Apples = £1.50

13. Seedless Grapes 500g = £1.27

14. Carrots (1kg) = £0.46
15. Onions (1kg) = £0.65
16. Baked Beans (410g)= £0.40
17. Natural Yogurt (500g) = £0.90
18. Bourbon creams (300g) = £0.45
19. 80 Tea Bags (232g) = £1.00

20. Instant Coffee (200g)= £2.50

Sainsbury's

1. Penne Pasta 1kg = £1.55
2. Bolognese pasta sauce 500g = 80p
3. Basmati Rice 1kg = £1.85
4. Minced Beef 5% 500g = £3.20
5. Loaf of white bread (800g) = £0.70
6. Whole Milk (4 pint) = £1.45
7. Unsalted Butter (250g) = £1.75
8. Cooked Ham 400g = £2.70
9. Cheddar Cheese (400g) = £2.40
10. 6 free range medium eggs = £1.05
11. Honey Nut Corn Flakes (500g) = £1.00
12. 6 Gala Apples = £1.70

13. Seedless Grapes 500g =£2.00

14. Carrots (1kg) = £0.45
15. Onions (1kg) = £0.65
16. Baked Beans (400g)= £0.40
17. Natural Yogurt (500g) = £0.9 5
18. Bourbon creams (200g) = £0. 35
19. 80 Tea Bags (250g) = £1.20

20. Instant Coffee (200g)= £3.00

Tesco, Antrim Road, Belfast. (Justin Kernoghan/Belfast Live)

Tesco

1. Penne Pasta 1kg = £1.55
2. Bolognese pasta sauce 500g = £0.80
3. Basmati Rice 1kg = £1.85
4. Minced Beef 5% 500g = £2.89
5. Loaf of white bread (800g) = £0.70
6. Whole Milk (4 pint) = £1.45
7. Unsalted Butter (250g) = £1.75
8. Cooked Ham 400g = £1.69
9. Cheddar Cheese (400g) = £2.85
10. 6 free range medium eggs = £1.05
11. Honey Nut Corn Flakes (500g) = £1.15
12. 6 Gala Apples =£0.90

13. Seedless Grapes 500g = £2.00

14. Carrots (1kg) = £0.45
15. Onions (1kg) = £0.85
16. Baked Beans (420g)= £0.40
17. Natural Yogurt (500g) = £0.90
18. Bourbon creams (296g) = £0.39
19. 80 Tea Bags (250g) = £1.55

20. Instant Coffee (200g)= £3.00

Conclusion : Our ASDA shop came in at £26.77 while the Sainsbury's spending cost us £29.15 and the Tecso bill was £28.17

That means we saved £.2.38 in ASDA.

It should be noted that some of the items from the shops are slightly different weights, which will affect the price.

In the interests of fairness, and as seen above, we bought items as close to the same weight and quantity as possible from all three stores.

Our shopping was conducted on Sunday, July 17 2022.

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