Consumer NZ's supermarket survey reveals cheapest store

Consumer NZ’s annual supermarket survey has found Pak’nSave leads on price for budget buys.

Chief executive Sue Chetwin said Pak’nSave had the lowest prices in all seven centres surveyed, reclaiming its spot in Wellington which it lost last year to Countdown. 

“Savings at Pak’nSave on our basket of 40 groceries averaged around $14,” Ms Chetwin said.  

But the ground shifted this year in the battle for second place.

Countdown edged out New World in Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North and Wellington. But in the South Island, New World managed to pip Countdown in Christchurch and Dunedin. In 2013, New World was most expensive in Consumer’s survey.

This year, Consumer also gave its shoppers a list of eight “top shelf” products to buy at Countdown and New World as well as at Nosh in Auckland and Moore Wilson’s in Wellington. The list included espresso coffee, organic milk, multi-grain bread, premium yoghurt, and a Kiwi brand of olive oil.

New World was the cheapest on price for these products in every centre, beating Countdown by between $4 and $8, Ms Chetwin said.

In Auckland, both supermarkets were cheaper than Nosh. But in Wellington, Countdown was narrowly beaten by Moore Wilson’s.

Pak’nSave wasn’t included in the top-shelf shop because it didn’t have all the products on our list, Ms Chetwin said. “Pak’nSave may lead on price for budget buys but the trade-off is your choice of brands can be more limited,” she said.