The weekly shop

Finding the best value in supermarkets is always a problem. Some items may be cheaper in one and others more expensive. The advent of ‘3 for 2’ offers makes the situation even more confusing. If you were being sensible, you could shop around and save money but who wants to waste their days visiting supermarkets for the weekly shop? Like many, I prefer to shop to live not the other way round.

However, in the current economic climate, which in our case means a weak pound against the Euro, we do have to consider getting the best value for the money in our pockets. In a recent survey it was found that Eroski had made the largest cuts in the price of food products between April and June (6.6%).

In all the supermarkets prices had been reduced but by less in El Árbol (1,3%), Maxi-Dia (2,2%), Supercor (2,3%) and Hipercor (2,9%) than they had in Sabeco (4.7%), Alcampo and Supersol (4.3%) and Mercadona (4%).

Although Supersol, El Árbol and Alcampo had reduced the prices of fresh fruit and vegetables by 21%, Mercadona and Carrefour were still cheaper.

The bottom line is that, for a typical shopping basket, Mercadona still leads the field; followed by Alcampo and Sabeco. El Corte Inglés continues to be the most expensive.