Aldi has once again been named Australia’s top supermarket, according to a recent Canstar Blue survey, which awarded it the “Most Satisfied Customer Award for Supermarkets” for the eighth consecutive year and thirteenth overall. Customers rated Aldi highly for categories including overall satisfaction, value, product freshness, store presentation, and quality of its own brands.
Despite Aldi’s popularity, many shoppers are diversifying their grocery shopping by splitting their bills between various supermarkets and specialty stores, such as butchers, to secure the best products at the best prices.
The average weekly grocery expenditure for a typical household of four has surged to $240, reflecting an 11 per cent increase from $216 last year and marking a significant $50 jump from $187 in 2021. This rise represents the largest annual increase recorded by Canstar Blue in five years, as families now spend about $12,480 annually on groceries—roughly $3,000 more than in 2021.
In addition to Aldi’s success, IGA achieved top ratings for customer service and checkout experiences, while Woolworths was recognised for its extensive product range.
Given the rising costs, it’s become common for shoppers to frequent two or more supermarkets weekly—61 per cent reported doing so—while 41 per cent noted they visit specialty shops for perceived higher quality items.
To manage their budgets, over 80 per cent of respondents have adapted their shopping habits this past year, taking steps such as comparing prices more diligently, buying in bulk, opting for discounted products nearing expiration, choosing seasonal produce, and forgoing non-essential items like sweets in favour of frozen vegetables.
Canstar Blue spokesperson Eden Radfors commented that Australians predominantly prioritise consistently low prices over convenience, variety, or reward programs when it comes to supermarket preferences. As grocery costs rise, even small adjustments in shopping behaviour can lead to significant savings, especially given the increasing financial burden of maintaining a household.