The Yorker Annual Shopping League 2007

Let the price war commence...

With a list of six essential items which every student would probably have on their shopping list every week, The Yorker headed with list in hand to the three shortlisted supermarkets for 2007: Costcutter, Somerfield, and Spar.

Shopping List:

• 1 Kilo of apples

• 2 litres of milk

• 1 tin of own brand chopped tomatoes

• 6 medium sized eggs

• 1 loaf of own brand bread

• 1x 4 pack of Carling

Well reknowned for its close proximity to uni, and wide selection of products, Costcutter is the favourite (and only) choice for those of you living on campus, unless you wish to travel a bit further. But with two branches in Market Square and Halifax College, its probably just the right distance for the lazy couch potatoes among us.

Costcutter Items:

• 1 Kilo of apples - £1.59
• 2 litres of milk - £1.49
• 1 tin of own brand chopped tomatoes - £0.45
• 6 medium sized eggs - £0.85
• 1 loaf of own brand bread - £0.79
• 1x 4 pack of Carling - £0.95 per can

Total: £8.97

Somerfield is the youngest of our contenders this year, with its first birthday coming up in December. Well known as the saviour of student residents around the Hull Road/Lawrence Street/Tang Hall area, the supermarket was built after replacing the much loved Kwik Save which occupied the site until 2006.

Somerfield Items:

• 1 Kilo of apples - £1.50
• 2 litres of milk - £0.76
• 1 tin of own brand chopped tomatoes - £0.22
• 6 medium sized eggs - £0.65
• 1 loaf of own brand bread - £0.57
• 1x 4 pack of Carling - £3.56

Total: £7.26

The final contender in our competition is Heslington Road favourite Spar. With its handy location, it serves many of the students who populate the local vicinity, and is a must stop for campus residents buying cheap snacks whilst venturing into town.

Spar Items:

• 1 Kilo of apples - £1.35
• 2 litres of milk - £2.04
• 1 tin of own brand chopped tomatoes - £0.42
• 6 medium sized eggs - £0.79
• 1 loaf of own brand bread - £0.65
• 1x 4 pack of Carling - £3.59

Total: £8.84

Somerfield: Winner

With the lowest total of goods, Somerfield is duly announced the winner of The Yorker Annual Shopping League 2007! With the spare change you would save if you bought the same items in your basket every week from the lowest priced supermarket instead of the highest, you could buy:

• A further 12 baskets of the same items over the year.
• Nearly 9 bottles of Vodka.
• 25 student tickets at the York Theatre Royal.
• 2 return tickets from York to London with your Young Persons railcard.
• A return flight to Marrakech, Morroco, including all taxes and charges.

However, wherever you may shop, don't forget to look out for products on offer. For information on budgeting at university visit: The University of York Student Financial Support Unit

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