Supermarket which was 'most expensive' two months ago, now third cheapest behind Lidl and Aldi

A supermarket which just two months ago was ranking as the most expensive, is now third cheapest behind Lidl and Aldi.

At the end of March, Tesco was coming out worst of the six main supermarkets in our weekly comparison of the same grocery essentials.

And when not in that position, it's often been second or third most expensive, with the budget retailers and Sainsbury's taking a lead on the price of a shopping basket made up of tea, coffee, mince, chicken, beans, butter, a two-pint bottle of milk and a loaf of bread.

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But this week Tesco has found itself in third position after Lidl, Aldi and Sainsbury's all followed Asda by hiking the price of their cheapest loaves from 39p to 45p. Morrisons is even more expensive at 75p.

Lidl has also put its cheapest beans up to 28p, but the increase of the bread and beans has been offset by the fact it's no longer selling 20% fat beef mince, so we've had to include the cheaper 25% fat pack costing less.

Overall it remains cheapest for the shopping, with a bill of £11.79. Aldi is second at £12.03, Tesco at £12.21, Sainsbury's at £12.23, and Morrisons at £12.60.

Asda retains the unfortunate position of most expensive and is quite a way ahead, at £13.35 - that's 13% more than Lidl.

Just last week Tesco announced how it had cut the price of 30 cupboard essentials, including pasta and sunflower oil down by 15p. The retailer says it has dropped the price of milk, butter, and bread in recent weeks as part of 'its commitment to provide great value for customers'.

Tesco Group chief product officer, Ashwin Prasad, said: “As we see deflation coming through on key cupboard essentials such as pasta and cooking oil, we're