ARCHIVED - Consumer survey reveals cheapest supermarkets in Valencia region

Savvy shoppers on the Costa Blanca can save an average of 940 euros a year

With rising energy bills and fuel costs, every penny saved elsewhere counts. That’s why the Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU) has carried out a study of 64 supermarkets in the Valencia region to determine where shoppers can bag the best bargains.

The survey shows that overall, shoppers can save an average of 940 euros a year making purchases at the cheapest supermarkets in the region, with the Family Cash Hypermarket in Burjassot, Valencia, ranking top of the most cost-effective stores.

The national average saving by choosing cheaper stores is higher, rising to 1,703 euros per year, with Alcampo proving to be the best value for money.

At the other end of the scale in the region is the Coaliment de València supermarket, with the most expensive prices, according to the findings of the OCU survey, released on Wednesday September 29.

Castellón is the cheapest city overall, followed by Valencia and Elche, while Alicante is the most costly city in terms of food shopping in the region.

Although prices have risen on average by 0.4% in the last 12 months, OCU has detected an acceleration in the rising cost of food directly related to the rise in the price of energy, in particular milk, eggs, chicken and rabbit meat.

The OCU warns that, if the “exorbitant increase” in the price of energy continues, especially electricity which has increased by 29% so far this year, consumers “will be forced to pay even more at the checkout”.

The consumers organisation estimates that the average family now spends at least 4,409 euros on grocery shopping annually, a figure that has increased since the Covid pandemic, which means cutting the cost of the weekly shop has never been more crucial.

According to the OCU, the best bargains in the region can be found at Dani, Más Ahorro and Family Cash chains, whilst Sánchez Romero and Sorli Discau proved to be the most expensive.

And in terms of price increases over the last 12 months, only four chains amongst the largest have hiked costs, specifically E. Leclerc, Más y Más, La Plaza de Dia and Dia Maxi, whilst the rest have lowered them, in particular Valencian chain Consum and El Corte Inglés.

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