I know everyone has their own personal preference when it comes to choosing where you do your grocery shopping. It could be at a local farmer’s market. It could be at your local suburban butcher or it could be at one of the major chain supermarkets that most of us choose to shop from but which is my favourite supermarket in Australia?

There are so many factors that determine which supermarket is your favourite like location, best specials, best service and best range of products but the cheapest groceries is not the most important factor for me.

Having standard pantry lists and knowing what is in my pantry, fridge or freezer at all times helps. Because I run my kitchen like a restaurant, I know I only ever have to top up those ingredients I’ve run out of or are getting low on. I don’t have to look at the specials each week. I don’t have to go to one supermarket because they’re deemed the cheapest in Australia and then go to another one because I can’t find all the products I need. I just go to my favourite supermarket, which is the closest to me. It has everything that I’m so used to buying and I’m in and out in no time. Here’s a break down of major supermarkets in Australia and why I dislike/like them. Remember, these are my own opinions. Everyone has their favourite for whatever reason.

ALDI

I’ve never been a fan of Aldi but that doesn’t mean I haven’t shopped there a couple of times over the years. It’s not my first choice of supermarket for the following reasons. They don’t stock everything I buy. If I was to change the way I cook and stock my home with products they sell, I might reconsider it but I’ve been cooking and baking for over 40 years with the same basic ingredients. Aldi is a relative newcomer to Australia and I’m not going to change. There have been lean times over the years, when I’ve had say only $20 to buy food for the week and I’ve ducked in there to pick up what I needed. I’ve also bought some of their gardening specials for example and fought for a place in the line on a Saturday morning just to get that $9.99 shovel. Trust me, it’s not worth it in my opinion.

I also don’t like how you have to pack your own bags. Those checkout operators are so quick and I find the whole thing stressful especially when I’ve stupidly had my children in tow. 

Aldi might be the most popular supermarket in Australia to some but not for me. I want a one-stop-shop where I can buy everything I need to cook with and stock my pantry with. I want someone to pack my bags and not have to return the shopping trolley after I’ve used it just to get my token back. All little things but when you’re a busy Mum with a lot on her mind, these things matter to me.

WOOLWORTHS

Woolworths have been in the press a lot of late with reports of massive losses and failing to keep up with the competition. They’ve tried many things to gain customers including a loyalty card but they’re still really struggling. 

To be honest, I don’t mind them but I always find I spend more money when I’m there, even with sticking to my shopping list. I pretty much know my prices so I won’t spend a lot on everyday products but I think they do have a great range compared to both Aldi and, their other major competitor, Coles Supermarkets, so I tend to probably pick up something I haven’t seen before or probably don’t really need. The stores near me have really long aisles so the product you need is right in the middle of the aisle, a very strategic ploy to make you buy more. 

They’ve employed such superstars as Jamie Oliver (celebrity chef from the UK) to sell a range of his gourmet products and ironically, the prices are so out of reach for the every day family. It’s a shame that Jamie has sold out to selling these kind of products when he promotes cooking from scratch and living frugally. 

I personally think Woolworths should start listening to what their consumers want and sticking to well known and trusted brands plus their own range of homebrand products, like Aldi, which will entice the everyday homemaker. They bag your groceries as well and you don’t have to return the trolley. 

COLES

The third player in the supermarket wars here in Australia, seeking your grocery budget, is Coles Supermarkets and by far, my favourite. It’s a bit silly to say you have a favourite supermarket because at the end of the day they’re all after your hard earned money but this is where I go every fortnight. 

Growing up, my Mum shopped at the local Coles Supermarket. There wasn’t really any competition at the shopping mall near her so that’s where she went. She always got what she needed and everything was always within budget. I have two Coles Supermarkets within a 5 minute drive to me but I go to the same one every, single time. It’s straight at the top of the escalator so I don’t even have to go to another store in the mall. Straight in for my groceries.

My favourite store, where I shop all the time, recently had a makeover and moved around all their products so I’m slowly getting used to where everything is again but after 15 years, I’ve got so used to the store layout, the products they sell and the staff. I always get a friendly smile from the staff and have a chat. Their fruit and vegetables may not always be the most fresh but for your regular vegetable staples like salad ingredients, carrots, onions, potatoes etc, they are pretty comparable on price. Their meat is over priced, like most supermarkets in Australia but I can always be guaranteed of a markdown. Something to pack into the freezer to build up the meat supply.

Their homebrand products are amazing and are probably the same as Aldi in price and quality. If they are more expensive it might only be 1 or 2 cents. Hardly worth going to Aldi for those cheaper things when I have to come back to Coles to get the rest of my order anyway.

They also pack your bags and you don’t have to return the trolley. They tick all the boxes for me; location, convenience, price, range and service. 

I never look at the junk mail to see what’s on special. If the coffee we buy, for example, isn’t on special the week I go, I know it will be reduced the next week. You get to know what’s on special or will be on special if you go there long enough.

IGA SUPERMARKETS

Finally, the last in the major supermarket chain is IGA (Independent Grocer’s Association) Supermarkets. Although not really in the race for the major share of your grocery dollar, they do have a lot going for them. On most public holidays, our local store is always open. They have extended trading hours. My local stores have some one off weekly specials that are cheaper than every other supermarket in Australia. They have a fantastic deli range, which I’ve found the other supermarkets don’t. Their produce, although expensive, is very good quality. Our local store also has a coffee shop section and my son and I have often gone for a coffee and cake when we’ve needed to pick up something. 

They have a small range of every product but you can find what you need if you’re desperate. Here in my State of Queensland we don’t have 24 hour trading like some of the other states so the latest Coles and Woolworths are open until is 9pm Monday to Friday nights. Weekends they aren’t open that long and neither is Aldi. 

I don’t tend to run out for that one ingredient if I’m cooking rather substituting for another ingredient or cook something else but there have been times when we’ve been short on washing powder, toilet paper or milk and IGA have always been open at the most inconvenient times. I’ll always consider them as my second choice.

SUMMARY

To summarise, Coles Supermarkets are my favourite with IGA being a close second for extended trading hours and having just about anything you need at short notice. Woolworths need to appeal to the everyday Australian and not the gourmet cook and Aldi will never be my favourite supermarket although the next time I’m there for a chainsaw, ski gloves or outdoor furniture, I might just check out some of their gourmet deli items. You can never have enough of those in the pantry, just in case.