Carrefour vs Lulu vs Spinneys vs Waitrose: Real Price Comparison 2026
Real 2026 prices for milk, bread, chicken, fruit and coffee at Carrefour, Lulu, Spinneys and Waitrose. See which chain wins on cost for each item.
Current basket prices across the four chains
In January 2026, a typical weekly basket for a household of two adults and one child costs between 185 AED and 265 AED depending on the store. The four major supermarkets follow different pricing models: Carrefour focuses on volume deals, Lulu on bulk and imported goods, Spinneys on mid-range fresh produce, and Waitrose on premium imports. All prices below are taken from regular shelves, not promotions, in Dubai and Abu Dhabi branches.
Milk and dairy
One litre of full-cream fresh milk costs 6.75 AED at Carrefour, 7.25 AED at Lulu, 8.50 AED at Spinneys and 9.75 AED at Waitrose. A 200 g block of cheddar is 9.50 AED at Carrefour, 10.25 AED at Lulu, 12 AED at Spinneys and 14.50 AED at Waitrose. Carrefour remains the lowest for everyday dairy while Waitrose commands a clear premium for imported European brands.
Bread and bakery
A standard 400 g pack of sliced white bread is 4.25 AED at Carrefour, 4.75 AED at Lulu, 5.50 AED at Spinneys and 6.75 AED at Waitrose. Arabic bread packs of five are priced at 2.50 AED in Carrefour and Lulu, 3 AED in Spinneys and 4 AED in Waitrose. For daily bread purchases, Carrefour and Lulu offer the best value.
Chicken and protein
One kilogram of fresh whole chicken averages 12.50 AED at Carrefour, 11.75 AED at Lulu, 14 AED at Spinneys and 18.50 AED at Waitrose. Boneless chicken breast is 18.75 AED per kg at Carrefour, 17.90 AED at Lulu, 21 AED at Spinneys and 26 AED at Waitrose. Lulu undercuts the market on chicken by a small margin while Waitrose focuses on free-range and organic lines.
Fruit and vegetables
One kilogram of bananas is 5.25 AED at Carrefour, 4.95 AED at Lulu, 6.50 AED at Spinneys and 8.25 AED at Waitrose. Tomatoes cost 4.75 AED per kg at Carrefour, 4.50 AED at Lulu, 5.75 AED at Spinneys and 7.50 AED at Waitrose. Apples (Royal Gala) are 9.25 AED per kg at Carrefour, 8.90 AED at Lulu, 10.75 AED at Spinneys and 13.50 AED at Waitrose. Lulu leads on imported fruit while Carrefour stays competitive on local produce.
Coffee and pantry staples
A 200 g jar of instant coffee is 18.50 AED at Carrefour, 19.75 AED at Lulu, 22 AED at Spinneys and 26 AED at Waitrose. A 500 g pack of basmati rice costs 6.75 AED at Carrefour, 6.25 AED at Lulu, 8 AED at Spinneys and 10.50 AED at Waitrose. For coffee and rice, Lulu and Carrefour remain the most economical choices.
Summary and shopping strategy
Across the five categories, Lulu records the lowest total basket at 185 AED, followed by Carrefour at 192 AED, Spinneys at 215 AED and Waitrose at 265 AED. Use Lulu for bulk chicken and fruit, Carrefour for dairy and bread, and reserve Spinneys or Waitrose for occasional premium items. Check the weekly offers section in each app before shopping, as rotating discounts can shift the ranking by 10 to 15 percent.
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Frequently asked questions
Which supermarket has the cheapest milk in 2026?▾
Carrefour sells one litre of fresh milk for 6.75 AED, the lowest among the four chains.
Is Lulu cheaper than Carrefour overall?▾
Yes. A standard basket totals 185 AED at Lulu versus 192 AED at Carrefour in January 2026.
Does Waitrose ever match budget prices?▾
No. Waitrose remains the premium option with basket totals 40 percent higher than Lulu.
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