In 2025, Madrid residents once again encountered a significant difference in grocery prices depending on the store chosen. An annual analysis revealed that shopping thoughtfully can result in considerable savings. In the Spanish capital, the gap between the most affordable and the most expensive supermarkets reached a record high in recent years.
Particular attention was drawn to the Alcampo chain, which maintains its position as the best-value hypermarket for everyday shopping. At the other end of the spectrum are Sanchez Romero stores, located in prestigious areas such as Arturo Soria and Castellana. There, the cost of a shopping basket exceeds the national average, with the difference compared to budget chains reaching several thousand euros per year.
Over the past year, prices in some chains, including Hipercor and Lidl, rose by 7% and 6.8% respectively. Meanwhile, Alcampo kept its pricing policy almost unchanged, increasing goods prices by just half a percent. This allowed it to remain at the top of the rankings for affordability—a strategy that stands out, especially against the backdrop of the ongoing general rise in food prices in recent years.
The study covered 241 product items—ranging from fresh fruits and vegetables to meat and fish products, as well as household and personal hygiene goods. The biggest contribution to rising prices came from fresh products, whose cost increased by almost 8% over the year. This has a significant impact on family expenses, as the average annual food budget in Spain is €6,259. However, in Madrid, where price differences between stores are the largest, choosing the right store can reduce expenses by almost 80% compared to the most expensive options.
Outside the capital, the most cost-effective cities for shopping were Sanlúcar de Barrameda (Cádiz) and Torrent (Valencia). These cities have the lowest price index in the country. Meanwhile, in the suburbs of Barcelona and certain areas of Madrid, such as Majadahonda and Pozuelo de Alarcón, prices are noticeably above average. This data once again confirms: choosing the right store is a key factor for saving money. For families in Madrid, the difference between shopping at Alcampo and at premium chains can amount to several thousand euros per year—a particularly relevant consideration given the ongoing rise in prices.
