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Choosing a supermarket in Madrid can change your annual spending by €4,381
The latest OCU study estimates an annual difference of up to €4,381 between supermarkets in Madrid. BM Urban y Ahorramás lead the increases in the general shopping basket; Lidl y Mercadona are among the chains that have lowered prices.
The average annual spend on the basket analysed by the OCU amounts to 6,602 euros, representing a 39.5% increase since 2021. In central Madrid, the difference between the cheapest and most expensive supermarket can reach 4,381 euros per year.
This figure estimates the difference for an average household over twelve months. It does not equate to savings on a Christmas shop or the cost of a specific festive basket, but it does show how much a budget can vary depending on the chosen store.
Chains take different approaches
BM Urban has increased its general basket by 5.1% and Ahorramás by 4.4%. Carrefour Market has cut its prices by 2.7%, while Lidl has seen a decrease of 1.9%.
Mercadona has reduced its basket prices by 1.8% and Aldi by 1.4%. The percentages refer to the basket compared by the organisation: they do not mean that all items in a chain have changed by the same proportion. The cost of a specific shop will depend on the products, brands, and offers available.
Fish leads the rise in fresh products
Fresh foods have risen by an average of 4.7%, compared to the general basket increase of 1.8%. Fish shows the highest price rise by category, at 8.6%.
Meat has gone up by 3.7%. Fruit and vegetables have increased by 3.5%. Among the chains, Alcampo shows a 6.6% rise in the fresh basket; Eroski Center reaches 6.3% and Más y Más, 6.1%.
Aldi has reduced prices for these products by 2.9%, Alimerka by 2.4%, and Lidl by 1.2%. For those preparing December shopping, the Mercadillo del Gato at the Hotel Palace is also among the Christmas shopping options, with free entry from 4 to 13 December.
What the OCU calculation includes
The report puts the average annual spend on the studied basket at 6,602 euros. To compile it, the OCU gathered 101,520 prices from 690 establishments in 38 cities and from online supermarkets. Data collection took place during April and May 2026.
The basket includes 244 products from 80 categories. It covers fresh and packaged foods, as well as drinks, cleaning products, toiletries, and hygiene items; it also includes manufacturer brands and own brands. Since 2021, fresh products have seen a 44% increase. Meat has risen by 46.8% over that period.