THE Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) published its annual price report in the supermarketsa key study for consumers since it allows them to identify where they can save in their basket. This year, the report covered 1,070 stores in 65 cities in Spain, evaluating more than 152,000 prices of 238 different products.from fresh food to cleaning products. The results show that, despite the general price increase of 2.9% in most chains, three supermarkets stand out for having reduced their prices in an inflationary context: Aldi, Lidl and Carrefour Express.
In a scenario where basket prices remain a central concern for many families, the ability to find deals and low prices becomes crucial.. According to the OCU, choosing the right supermarket can save up to 1,272 euros per yeara fact that reflects the importance of comparing and evaluating different options. While some chains continue to record notable price increases, such as El Corte Inglés supermarkets with increases of up to 9.7%, Aldi, Lidl and Carrefour Express They achieved the opposite, recording slight declines that break with the trend of recent years. It is also true that inflation has recently shown slight signs of moderation, but the situation for consumers remains somewhat complicated due to the widespread rise in prices of many basic food products, such as olive oil.
OCU reveals the 3 supermarkets that cut prices the most
For your analysis, The OCU has classified prices into four basket types: THE OCU basketwhich includes a wide range of food, cleaning and pharmaceutical products; THE Fresh basketwhich focuses on fruits, vegetables, meats and fish; THE Branded basketcomposed of products from major brands; and the Economy basketwhich brings together the cheapest products available in each establishment. This approach allows consumers to identify not only the cheapest supermarkets overall, but also those offering better prices on specific product categories.
Taking into account these four baskets, and in terms of price evolution,Fresh products saw an average increase of 4.1%, while big brand products increased by 3.8%. However, the private or economy brands show a more moderate increase of 2.8%which could indicate that supermarkets are trying to be more competitive with their own brands.
Aldi, Lidl and Carrefour Express: leaders in price cuts
And among the many supermarket chains we have, three stand out as being the cheapest. It is about Aldi, Lidl and Carrefour Express which were the only chains to successfully reduce their prices last year. Aldi leads with a drop of 0.6%, followed by Lidl with a drop of 0.7% and Carrefour Express with a drop of 0.9%.. Although these percentages may seem modest, they are significant in a context where almost all other chains have recorded price increases. This downward trend, although slight, marks a change from previous years and reinforces these chains’ position as more affordable options for consumers.
These reductions are not only a relief for families’ pockets, but also highlight the importance of competition in the distribution market. While some Chains like El Corte Inglés have opted for considerable increasesAldi, Lidl and Carrefour Express seem to be adopting a supply strategy that consolidates their position on the Spanish market. This not only offers respite in the midst of inflation, but also serves as a reminder of the power of consumer choice in influencing supermarket pricing policies.
The cheapest stores
In addition to the three cheapest supermarket chains, the OCU also reveals in its study which stores are the cheapest, highlighting one store Alcampo located on Diagonal in Barcelonafollowed by two other stores of the same chain on Avenida de Madrid in Vigo and the other in Murcia. At the opposite extreme, the most expensive stores are those of the Sánchez Romero chain.
Cities with the most expensive supermarkets
The OCU report also reveals that among the 65 cities analyzed, Zamora and Teruel in Aragon, They are the ones who have supermarkets with lower prices. They follow him Sherry, Lugo and Vigowhile Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Palma de Mallorca, followed by Getxo and Madrid, are the cities where supermarkets are the most expensive.
With all the information collected, the OCU report highlights the importance of comparing prices and selecting stores that offer the best conditions for everyday purchases. Aldi, Lidl and Carrefour Express position themselves as the best options for those looking to save, showing that, despite inflation, there are opportunities to find lower prices.
