With discount stores and supermarkets stocking cheap toiletries and cosmetics, Boots is at risk of being edged out of the market.

Shoptalk checks out the cost differences between the high street stalwart and its competitors.

THERE'S a war going on in your bathroom cupboard. We are changing our shopping habits, getting pickier about where we buy our toothpaste and toiletries, lotions and lozenges. No longer do we automatically think of Boots. Instead, we're as likely to pick up a lot of beauty products and bathroom essentials at the supermarket, or discount shop.

Boots is in the middle of sorting itself out, including losing 900 management jobs at head office. But will that be enough to fight off the competition from the likes of Superdrug, Savers and Tesco? And what's the difference between them?

BOOTS

For: Masses of choice. From cheap and cheerful to top brands. Wide range of makeup, beauty products and everything you need for baby. Bigger stores are like mini department stores. Top brands and a huge range of their own brands. Generally knowledgeable and helpful assistants. Plus, of course, the only one of the four to have a proper pharmacy with people qualified to give advice on over-the-counter medicines.

Against: Prices. On a great number of products they are a lot more expensive than their rivals. And we're not just talking a few pennies.

SAVERS

For: Darlington-based chain keeps prices low. They consistently undercut rivals. Savings can be dramatic.

Against: Does this by limiting the number of lines so you don't get the choice you do in Boots but the range is still considerable. Shops are fairly small and pretty basic. Baby ranges are limited.

SUPERDRUG

For: Stores tend to be bigger than Savers but smaller than Boots. Reasonable choice. Have some nice lines.

Against: Apart from one or two special offers, prices aren't that low. Also seems to have lost that nice sparky feeling it once had.

TESCO

For: Choice. Big selection. Wide range of beauty products. Large baby and child department. Very good prices on a lot of products. Sling it all in the trolley when you're doing your food shop.

Against: Not the choice of makeup or perfumes you'd get in Boots.

CONCLUSIONS

Boots offers a lot - but at a price. If you want expert advice, whether on cold cures or lipstick, it's the place to go. But if you're just popping in for a tube of toothpaste or a bottle of shampoo, be prepared to pay a lot more than you need to. Apart from their special offers, some price differences are alarming and the gap seems to have widened since we last looked four years ago.

As for Savers and Tesco, they offer great prices and easy shopping. For basics, they are hard to beat.

PRICE COMPARISONS

AQUAFRESH TOOTHPASTE

Boots: £2.29 for 100ml

Savers: £1.99 for 200ml

Tesco: £3.27 for 200ml

BENYLIN COUGH MIXTURE

Boots: £2.95

Savers: £2.49

Tesco: £2.64

CLAIROL HERBAL ESSENCES SHAMPOO

Boots: £2.29 for 250ml

Savers: £1.99 for 400ml

Superdrug: £1.64 for 250ml

Tesco: £1.88 for 250ml

CUSSONS PEARL SOAP x4

Boots: £1.79

Savers: 96p

Tesco: 98p

ELVIVE MOUSSE

Boots: £3.49

Savers: £1.99

Tesco: £2.75

GILLETTE MACH 3 TURBO BLADES x4

Boots: £4.97

Savers: £4.95

Superdrug: £5.45

Tesco: £4.97

GILLETTE SHAVING FOAM

Boots: £2.20

Savers: £1.49

Superdrug: £1.18

Tesco: £1.18

GILLETTE SHAVING GEL

Boots: £2.55

Savers: £1.69

Tesco: £1.38

L'OREAL AGE PERFECT NIGHT CREAM

Boots: £10.49

Savers: £7.99

Tesco: £8.98

LYNX BODY SPRAY

Boots: £1.99

Savers: £1.95

Superdrug: £1.95

Tesco: £1.94

NIQUITIN STOP SMOKING PATCHES

Boots: £17.49 (Buy second half price)

Savers: £13.99

Superdrug: £13.99

Tesco: £15.74

OLAY TOTAL EFFECTS NIGHT CREME

Boots: £13.38

Savers: £13.45

Superdrug: £14.49

Tesco: £13.47

PAMPERS NAPPIES, 28 Newborn

Boots: £3.79

Savers: £3.79

Superdrug: £3.79

Tesco: £3.68

RADOX HERBAL BATH

Boots: £1.59 (two for £2)

Savers: £1.39

Superdrug: £1.44

Tesco: £1.32

SURE FOR MEN ROLL ON DEODORANT

Boots: £1.25

Savers: 98p

Tesco: £1.05

TAMPAX, 30 Super

Boots: £2.99

Savers: £2.62

Superdrug: £2.65

Tesco: £2.62

VASELINE ALOE VERA BODY LOTION, 200ml

Boots: £2.79

Savers: £2.49

Superdrug: £2.79

Tesco: £1.98

VOSENE Original Shampoo x2

Boots: £2.09

Savers: £1.99

Superdrug: £1.99

Tesco: £1.64