Cheapest Online Supermarkets in the UK: If you’re an international student in the UK looking to cut down on expenses, shopping at budget-friendly supermarkets like ASDA, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrisons, and Co-Op can be a great way to save money. Many of these stores also offer online grocery delivery, with fees ranging from GBP 1.70 to GBP 25 or more.
To help you make cost-effective choices, we’ve compiled a list of the “5 Cheapest Online Supermarkets in the UK.” This ranking is based on factors like pricing, discounts, promotions, and delivery charges. In this blog, we’ll explore these supermarkets and their delivery costs to help you shop smarter.
This Blog Includes:
- Why Choose Online Grocery Shopping?
- Factors to Consider When Choosing Cheapest Online Supermarkets in UK
- Top 5 Cheapest Online Supermarkets in the UK
- Delivery Costs and Availability of Online Supermarkets in the UK
- Tips to Save More Money on Online Grocery Shopping
- FAQs on Cheapest Online Supermarkets in the UK
Why Choose Online Grocery Shopping?
The shift towards online grocery shopping is driven by convenience, variety, and flexibility. Here’s why:
- Time-Saving: Shop from the comfort of your home.
- Better Planning: Track your spending as you shop.
- Exclusive Online Deals: Many supermarkets offer online-only discounts.
- Reduced Impulse Buying: Stick to your list and avoid unnecessary purchases.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Cheapest Online Supermarkets in UK
Before exploring the most affordable supermarket options, it’s important to consider key factors that can impact your overall savings. These include product pricing, available discounts, delivery fees, minimum order requirements, and the quality of items offered.
- Delivery Costs: Many supermarkets charge for home delivery. Look for promotions like free delivery slots or subscription plans.
- Minimum Order Requirements: Ensure the minimum spend fits your typical shopping habits.
- Loyalty Programs: Points systems or exclusive offers for regular customers can lead to significant savings.
- Discounts and Voucher Codes: Look out for coupon codes or cashback offers.
- Product Variety and Quality: Cheap doesn’t always mean good value. Opt for supermarkets that balance affordability with quality.
Top 5 Cheapest Online Supermarkets in the UK
Let’s explore the most budget-friendly online supermarkets in the UK, offering affordable options, discounts, and convenient delivery services to help you save on your weekly shop. So, without any further ado, let’s have a look at them one by one:
ASDA
ASDA is one of the famous cheapest online supermarkets in the UK among students. ASDA is also a popular choice for budget-conscious shoppers in the UK. Its ‘Anytime Delivery Pass’ offers free delivery, scheduled slots, and priority access, with a midweek 12-month pass costing just GBP 3.50 per month. This makes it a great option for those who shop mid-week and want to save on delivery costs. Also, you can get rewards for buying products from here.
Also Read: Let us help you accelerate your accommodation hunt! Check out the best student accommodations in the UK
Sainsbury’s
If you’re a student living in one of the student accommodation in United Kingdom and want to save costs, Sainsbury’s is an excellent choice. With their anytime delivery pass or midweek delivery pass, you can save significantly on online grocery shopping making it rank higher on our list of cheapest online shopping supermarkets in the UK. If you’re environmentally conscious, Sainsbury’s also offers a ‘green’ delivery time slot. If you use a Nectar card at Sainsbury’s, you can collect points for rewards at other stores like Argos, eBay, and British Airways.
Tesco
Tesco also offers one of the most affordable online food delivery services in the UK with its delivery saver plan. This plan starts at just GBP 7.99 a month and offers free delivery if your order is GBP 40 or more. If you live with flatmates, you can split the cost of the pass, making it even more affordable. However, remember that delivery charges might increase during peak times like Christmas and New Year.
Also Read: You may also be interested to know about the best Museums in the UK
Morrisons
Morrisons is a great option for students looking to save on grocery delivery. With one of the lowest delivery charges of GBP 1.70, you can save a lot on your online grocery shopping. If you are a regular delivery customer then you can also enjoy a delivery pass that guarantees free delivery and extra savings. With an Anytime pass worth GBP 65 annually and a Midweek pass worth GBP 5 a month, you can significantly cut down on your online grocery shopping costs.
Co-Op
The Co-op offers a cost-effective online shopping experience with free delivery on purchases of GBP 25 or more. However, for orders less than GBP 3, a delivery fee of 3 GBP applies. If your location is far from the store, you might need to pay an additional GBP 5.
Ocado Group
You will be surprised to know that Ocado Group is one such online supermarket in the UK that doesn’t have any physical store. Indeed, you heard that right. Ocado Group is a joint venture with Marks and Spencer and doesn’t have any physical stores in the country. No doubt, it will come to you as a little bit costlier supermarket but a preferable choice due to its quality. An additional advantage of choosing this online supermarket in the UK is its eco-friendly and environment-friendly green delivery slots.
Delivery Costs and Availability of Online Supermarkets in the UK
Let’s find out the delivery charges and the availability of the top 10 cheapest supermarkets in the UK. These will help you out on selecting the best supermarket as per your budget and order value.
| Supermarkets | Delivery Charges |
| ASDA | Starts at GBP 1 |
| Sainsbury’s | If you order more than GBP 40, it starts at GBP 1. |
| Aldi | No delivery available |
| Tesco | Start at GBP 2 |
| Co-Op | Starts at GBP 1 |
| Morrisons | Start at GBP 1.70 |
| Lidl | No delivery available |
| Iceland | A bill over GBP 40 starts at GBP 3, and is free after that |
| Waitrose | start at GBP 3 |
| Ocado | Start at GBP 0 to 6.99 depending on slot availability |
Tips to Save More Money on Online Grocery Shopping
- Plan Your Meals: Organize weekly menus to avoid waste.
- Compare Prices: Use tools like MySupermarket or Quidco to find the cheapest deals.
- Leverage Loyalty Programs: Accumulate points for future discounts.
- Use Voucher Codes: Search online for discount coupons before placing orders.
- Opt for Click & Collect: Save on delivery fees by picking up orders yourself.
FAQs on Cheapest Online Supermarkets in the UK
The cheapest online supermarkets in the UK include ASDA, Tesco, Aldi, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, and Iceland. These stores offer competitive prices, regular discounts, and affordable delivery options.
The cost-effectiveness of an online supermarket depends on product pricing, discounts, promotions, delivery charges, minimum order requirements, and loyalty rewards.
Yes, most budget supermarkets like ASDA, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, and Iceland provide home delivery services, with charges based on order size and delivery time slot.
ASDA, Iceland, and Tesco offer some of the lowest delivery fees, starting from GBP 1–GBP 3. Some supermarkets also provide free delivery for orders above a certain amount.
With their anytime delivery pass or midweek delivery pass, you can save significantly on online grocery shopping.
In the UK, according to a recent survey by which.co.uk, Aldi and Lidl come through as the cheapest supermarkets because of the lowest delivery charges and low prices of the goods.
Indeed, Ocado Group is the one that doesn’t have any physical stores but it is one of the top and cheapest online supermarkets in the UK.
Use loyalty programs like Tesco Clubcard or Sainsbury’s Nectar card, opt for eco-delivery slots, and search for voucher codes before checkout.
In most cases, prices are similar, but some supermarkets may offer exclusive online-only discounts or promotions.
Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Morrisons sometimes offer student discounts through apps like UNiDAYS and Student Beans. Aldi and Lidl, however, generally don’t provide student discounts.
Supermarkets run promotions frequently, especially during seasonal events like Christmas, Easter, Black Friday, and Back-to-School sales. Checking their official websites regularly can help you find the best deals.
Thank you for reading our blog about the cheapest online supermarkets in the UK. We hope you liked this blog. For booking the best accommodation abroad to start your study abroad experience you can contact Fly Homes at 1800572118.
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