Consumer group Choice has named Australia’s best supermarkets, revealing biggest isn’t always best when it comes to your groceries.
It ranked major brands by percentage based on factors including range of product, brands available and overall satisfaction.
SA, NSW top the list
South Australia-based Foodland is the nation’s favourite supermarket, with an 82 per cent overall satisfaction rating.
It’s closely followed by NSW-based Harris Farm Markets, with 81 per cent.
The two received the highest overall scores and also rated higher than their competitors in a number of categories.
Foodland was the best for ease of shopping, store appearance and layout.
But for quality of fresh produce, Harris Farm Markets pipped the South Australian local to the post.
Bulk foods specialist Costco came in second, followed by Aldi, IGA and FoodWorks.
The survey showed size isn’t everything, with major chains Coles and Woolworths falling to the bottom of the pile with only 69 per cent and 67 per cent overall satisfaction respectively.
Between them, Coles and Woolworths have almost 62 per cent of Australia’s grocery market.
Too much packaging
Too much packaging came in as shoppers’ number one gripe, closely followed by a lack of local produce.
Choice says most people believe fresh produce in Harris Farm Markets, FoodWorks, IGA and Foodland has ‘appropriate’ packaging.
But shoppers say, despite campaigns from the supermarket giants to reduce waste, Costco, Aldi, Coles and Woolworths suffer from excessive packaging.