Food spending has become one of the heaviest items for Italian families, representing almost 20% of the average income. Continuous price increases have made choosing the right store essential, a decision that can translate into substantial savings.
The 36th edition of Altroconsumo’s annual study analyzed over 1000 shops throughout the country. The data shows that a family of four can reduce their annual expenditure by as much as 3,700 euros through a careful selection of sales outlets and products to purchase.
The evolution of prices in the sector
In the period between March 2024 and March 2025, supermarket price lists experienced an average increase of 2.2%. An increase which, although moderate, fits into a broader picture: from 2021 to today, the accumulated increases have reached +26% in discount stores, +24% in supermarkets and +23% in hypermarkets.
An interesting aspect emerged from the analysis regarding discount stores, which, while maintaining the primacy for convenience, paradoxically recorded the most significant increases. The trend can be explained by the expansion of the product range and the qualitative improvement of the offer.
However, the price differences between the different chains remain marked: the same branded item can cost double depending on the store chosen.
Eurospin: the undisputed king of discounts
Eurospin conquers the top of the ranking of the cheapest discounters, with a saving potential of up to 3,700 euros per year per household, a figure which would represent a 40% reduction compared to the national average of spending.
The discount ranking sees Aldi in second position (index 101), with In’s Mercato and Lidl sharing third place (index 102). They follow:
As regards the mixed cart (which includes branded products, private labels and cheap items), In’s Mercato ranks first with a possible saving of 2,838 euros per year. Eurospin (index 102) and Lidl (106) complete the podium in this category.
Famila: the most convenient supermarket
Among traditional supermarket chains, Famila emerges as the most advantageous choice for mixed shopping, with an index of 100 which guarantees savings of 208 euros per year. The brand also stands out for those who prefer to buy exclusively branded products, with an economic advantage that can reach 506 euros per year.
For private label products, Carrefour occupies first position with potential savings of 3,308 euros per year. It should be underlined that this chain is about to abandon the Italian market.
The complete ranking of supermarkets by convenience:
In the Altroconsumo rating system, the index 100 identifies the cheapest chain, while higher numbers indicate progressively higher prices. Therefore, a lower index therefore corresponds to greater savings opportunities.
Famila and Famila Superstore also maintain their lead for purchases of branded products. Behind them are Coop, Conad, Esselunga and Ipercoop, which offer competitive prices even if with lower savings margins. Obviously traditional supermarkets offer less dramatic savings than discount stores, but they make up for it with a richer assortment and the possibility of alternating between well-known brands and good quality private labels.
Territorial disparities
Grocery prices vary significantly in different geographical areas of the country. The average annual budget of a family is around 7,250 euros, although the northern regions record lower costs, with some areas where spending remains under 7,000 euros. The central and southern regions, on the other hand, have higher prices, with differences that can reach 700 euros compared to the cheaper areas.
The chains of Northern Italy stand out for their greater competitiveness, favored by more intense competition. The Iper Rossetto in Marcon, in the province of Venice, holds the record for the cheapest point of sale in the country. Cities such as Como, Verona and Bologna show significant differences between the most expensive and the most convenient shops, with discrepancies exceeding 1,300 euros per year.
The situation in the South presents different characteristics: in Naples and Caserta the maximum gap between sales points is limited to 50 euros per year. Sassari appears to be the most expensive city, with a minimum expenditure starting from 7,410 euros per year.
The research methodology
The Altroconsumo study examined 1,150 sales points in 67 Italian cities, with surveys carried out from 3 to 31 March 2025. The data collection produced approximately 1.6 million prices, analyzing 125 product categories including food products, personal hygiene items, household cleaning products and animal food.
As mentioned, the comparison between the chains is based on a convenience index where the value 100 represents the cheapest sign or shop. Higher values indicate progressively higher prices, in order to make the evaluation of the savings potential offered by each point of sale simple and immediate.
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