A supermarket shopper compared Costco and Asda to see which was the cheapest for her big shop.
Emma Gill visited one of each outlet on the same day with her usual family shopping list and was impressed with the selection of items at Costco, the wholesale corporation.
A friend had warned Emma "Costco is like Home Bargains on steroids, you go in for a chicken and come out with a TV".
But she avoided the electricals, instead spending £130.94 on everyday food items. The same shopping list cost £153.21 at Asda, reports Manchester Evening News.
Writing for the publication, journalist Emma said: "A pack of 12 6oz Aberdeen Angus burgers for instance cost £12.99 at Costco, whereas a pack of two cost £3.90 from Asda's Extra Special range - meaning 12 from Asda would be almost double the price at £23.40.
"While halloumi is one of those things I'll only tend to buy if we're feeling flush, which let's be honest isn't often these days, you can get a four pack of 250g blocks in Costco for £7.59. In Asda it's £2.30 for one smaller 225g block, so the equivalent amount would set you back £10.22.
"One thing that has been on the rise over recent months is butter and margarine - and you can pick those up a lot cheaper at Costco too.
"It had a 1kg tub of Flora Buttery for £2.49, while Asda was selling the same size for £3.60. And its 500g block of Anchor butter was £3.39, compared with two of Asda's 250g blocks for £4.60.
"Bread was the cheapest I've seen in a long time - 95p for a thick white Hovis at Costco, compared with £1.20 at Asda."
"Not everything was cheaper though - I picked up 21 products in all and six of those were cheaper at Asda.
"Maris Piper potatoes for instance cost £4.79 for a whopping 7.5kg bag at Costco, which seemed like a bargain. But when I visited Asda and bought a 2.5kg bag for just £1.49, I realised that its spuds are actually cheaper overall. And I generally wouldn't have space for such a big bag anyway.
"Asda's mince worked out cheaper too, its two for £8 offer on 650g packs meaning you could buy the equivalent of Costco's giant 2.73kg pack costing £21.81 for £16.80."
While Emma said the quality of items was largely better at Costco, she was "a little underwhelmed by the fruit and veg section" at the wholesaler.
"My overall bill came to £130.94 at Costco and £153.21 at Asda - a difference of £22.27 or 17%," Emma continued.
A membership fee for Costco at £33.60 a year - less than £3 a month.
A list of professions from which current or retired employees can apply is listed here and members can add on a spouse for free, or get an extra card for £14 plus vat, so it shouldn't be too difficult to get your hands on one.
A spokesperson for Asda said: "Asda is consistently recognised as the UK’s lowest-priced supermarket by the Grocer 33 and Which? basket comparisons. A price comparison with Costco is misleading as they are a wholesaler, not a supermarket, and sell products in bulk sizes. Shoppers also need to qualify for a membership and pay an annual fee before they can shop there."
Full shopping list with prices Costco / Asda
- Burgers 12x6oz £12.99 / 2x6oz £3.90 (equates to £23.40 for 12)
- Chicken breasts 2.254kg £12.60 / 1.6kg £9.70 (equates to £13.66)
-
Steak mince 2.73kg £21.81 / £4.40 per 650g pack, or two for £8 (equates to £16.80)
-
Unsmoked bacon 6x250g £6.99 / 600g £4.25 (equates to £10.62)
- Maris Piper potatoes 7.5kg £4.79 / 2.5kg £1.49 (equates to £4.47)
- Cottage pie pack of 3 £11.99 / £3.50 per meal (equates to £10.50)
- Shreddies 2x720g £4.19 / 630g £2.50 (equates to £5.71 for 2x720g)
- Mild cheddar 1.215kg £5.65 / 400g £3 (equates to £9.11)
- Halloumi 4x250g £7.59 / 225g £2.30 (equates to £10.22)
- Sliced ham 2x450g £7.49 / 425g £4.75 (equates to £10.05)
- Free range eggs medium 24-pack £3.29 / 12-pack £2.10 (equates to £4.20 for 24)
- Semi-skimmed milk 2x2L £2.49 / 4-pints £1.55 (equates to £2.71 for 4L)
- Flora Buttery 1kg £2.49 / £3.60
- Anchor butter 500g £3.39 / 2x250g £4.60
- Tomato and mascarpone sauce 700g £3.79 / 350g £1.60 (equates to £3.20)
- Hovis thick white loaf 95p / £1.20
- White barms 12-pack £1.99 / 6-pack £1.50 (equates to £3 for 12)
- Muffins £7.49 for 12 / four-pack £1.70 (equates to £5.10)
- Cadbury pots pack of six £2.99 / 75p each or 3 for £2 (equates to £4 for 6)
- Bananas 1.36kg £1.49 / 1.085kg 85p (equates to £1.06 for 1.36kg)
- HP Brown sauce 2x600g £4.49 / 600g £3 (equates to £6)
Totals - Costco £130.94 / Asda £153.21
