Over the past five years, the OCU grocery basket has become 39.5% more expensive. Some everyday products have seen especially sharp increases: coffee, eggs and chocolate have more than doubled in price over this period.

However, the supermarket you choose still affects how much you spend. According to Spain’s Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU), in 2026 the average annual difference between the cheapest and most expensive supermarkets was €1,310. In some cities it exceeded €4,000, while in others the gap was much smaller.

What the OCU compared

For its 2026 study, the OCU collected more than 101,000 prices from 690 physical stores and online supermarkets in 189 cities. It used a basket of 244 food, household and personal hygiene products. The estimated annual cost of the basket averaged €6,602.

This figure is a benchmark for comparison, not a forecast of what a particular household will spend. Actual savings depend on the city, the shops nearby, what people buy and which products and brands they choose.

Supermarkets with low prices in the OCU ranking

The table shows the estimated annual cost of the OCU basket at selected chains. The lower the amount and price index, the less the same basket cost in the study.

The OCU calculated the cost of the same basket to compare price levels. The ranking does not mean that every shopper will save exactly these amounts: the final bill depends on what they buy and the prices at their local store.

Where the regional chains operate

• Dani – an Andalusian chain ranked first by the OCU for its prices. El Jamón acquired it in summer 2026. The deal covered 19 stores in the provinces of Granada, Almería, Jaén and Málaga; the chain is gradually being integrated under its new owner’s brand.
• Family Cash – a hypermarket and supermarket chain operating in several autonomous communities, including the Valencian Community, Andalusia, Murcia, Madrid, Catalonia and Aragon.
• Tifer – a hard-discount chain with a strong presence in Castile and León. It belongs to Semark AC Group, which also owns Lupa supermarkets and Top Cash wholesale stores.
• Supeco – a discount chain owned by the Carrefour group. Its stores operate in several parts of Spain, including Andalusia, Madrid, the Valencian Community and Catalonia.
• Deza – a family-run chain from Córdoba, operating mainly in that province.
• Consum – a cooperative chain from the Valencian Community that has expanded into Catalonia, Murcia, Castile-La Mancha, Aragon and Andalusia.
• Cash Fresh is part of Grupo MAS. Its stores are located mainly in Andalusia and Extremadura.
• Alimerka – an Asturian chain with 171 stores in six provinces. Most are in Asturias and Castile and León, with some in Galicia.
• Gadis – one of the largest chains in north-west Spain. Its stores are concentrated mainly in Galicia and Castile and León.
• El Jamón – a chain founded in Lepe, in the province of Huelva. Following its acquisition of Dani and other companies, the group has expanded across Andalusia.

How to compare prices near you

A chain’s presence in your region does not necessarily mean its store will be the cheapest for your shopping basket. The OCU notes significant differences between cities and individual stores. It offers an online store locator to help shoppers compare nearby prices.

Before changing your usual shopping route, compare a few nearby supermarkets and factor in travel costs, discounts and the prices of the products you buy most often.

OCU ranking of supermarket chains and estimated basket costs for 2026

OCU press release on its 2026 supermarket study

Find an Alimerka store