ASDA vs COSTCO WHOLESALE: Which is Cheaper Today?

ASDA has long positioned itself as a price-setter on UK fuel, using its forecourts as a marketing tool to advertise low-cost positioning. Historically ASDA operated a national price cap — every ASDA forecourt charging the same headline price on the same day — though recent reporting (notably by The Grocer) has documented meaningful inter-store variation on individual days. ASDA's forecourt network grew substantially in 2023 after it acquired EG Group's UK operations (356 predominantly freehold petrol stations). ASDA has been owned by the Issa brothers and TDR Capital since October 2020, with TDR Capital taking majority control in 2024.

Costco operates members-only forecourts attached to its UK warehouses (around 29 sites nationwide). Accessing the pumps requires an active Costco membership — Gold Star at £42/year or Executive at £70 + VAT — and the forecourt scanner checks your membership card before dispensing fuel. Costco is often one of the cheapest consumer-facing fuel brands in the UK on a pence-per-litre basis, but the network is thin: you need to live within realistic driving distance of a warehouse for the savings to work. Forecourts open and close with the warehouse, so Costco is not an option for late-night or early-morning fills. Note that fuel purchases are excluded from Executive membership's 2% cashback rewards.

• Historically a flat national price — though inter-store variation has been reported.
• Fuels: E10 unleaded, E5 Super Unleaded, B7 diesel.
• No fuel loyalty scheme — ASDA Rewards covers grocery spend but not fuel.
• Large forecourt network: ~600+ sites after the 2023 EG Group UK acquisition added 356 stations.

• Membership required: Gold Star £42/year or Executive £70 + VAT to use the forecourt.
• Only E10 unleaded and B7 diesel — no super unleaded, no premium diesel.
• Open only during warehouse hours — check local warehouse opening times before driving out.
• Fuel is excluded from Executive membership's 2% cashback rewards.