Supermarket deals and specials drive Australian shopper satisfaction more than value for money or produce freshness, new Canstar research has revealed.
The findings come as ALDI is announced the winner of Canstar’s 2026 Most Satisfied Customers Award for Supermarkets – its ninth consecutive win, and 14th overall – based on the feedback of 2,738 shoppers.
Canstar’s analysis found that while produce freshness, customer service, and value for money are important to shoppers, the single strongest driver of satisfaction is the feeling of finding extra savings through deals or specials, rather than from the underlying price itself.
Shoppers cutting back on treats, checking unit prices, to save
According to shoppers surveyed, the average spend for a household of four on groceries per week is $245. This is a 2% increase to the 2025 average of $240, but lower than the annual inflation rate of 3.3% for food and non-alcoholic beverages for June 2026.
This slight lift in spending suggests that while prices may be rising, consumers are shopping smarter to combat the increases, with Canstar’s data showing 81% have changed their habits in the last 12 months to try and keep costs down.
Two-fifths (40%) have cut back on treats and snacks, 38% spend more time checking the unit prices, while other popular tactics include buying marked down products (30%) and switching to home brands (25%).
In the last year, have you made any changes to your regular grocery shop to help keep costs down? | |
|---|---|
Cut back on treats and snacks | 40% |
Spent more time checking unit prices | 38% |
Used supermarket apps or catalogues to find deals before shopping | 34% |
Planned meals to avoid unnecessary purchases | 33% |
Bought marked down products that were close to their expiry date | 30% |
Only bought fruit and vegetables that were in season | 26% |
Switched from branded products to home brand / private label | 25% |
I have not made any changes to try and keep costs down | 19% |
Source: Canstar, 2744 respondents, multiple responses allowed unless ‘I have not made any changes’ selected. | |
Cross-shopping increasing in popularity
Shopping around by visiting more than one supermarket for the regular grocery shop – known as cross-shopping – remains popular, with 65% of respondents visiting at least two different supermarkets as part of their grocery shop — up slightly from 61% in 2025.
How many different supermarkets do you visit to complete your regular grocery shop? | |
|---|---|
One | 34% |
Two | 47% |
Three or more | 18% |
Source: Canstar. Note does not equal 100% due to rounding. | |
Canstar's consumer expert, Eden Radford, says, “Congratulations to ALDI for winning Canstar’s Most Satisfied Customers Award for Supermarkets for the ninth consecutive year.
“This is an impressive achievement that demonstrates the combination of everyday low pricing, much loved home brands, and exciting weekly specials is what Australians are looking for.
“Canstar’s analysis revealed shoppers feel much more satisfied when they walk out the supermarket feeling like they’ve secured a bargain, not just that they’ve paid the lowest price.
“Canstar’s research has also revealed the reality of the cost pressures facing so many households, but also how savvy they have become when it comes to stretching every grocery dollar.
“Five years ago, the average weekly grocery shop for a household of four was $187. Jump forward to 2026, and that figure has increased to $245 – a whopping $3,000 more per year.
“However, while shelf prices might be climbing, shoppers are getting smarter about how they fill up their basket, applying tactics to help combat the cost increases.
“Over 80 per cent of shoppers Canstar surveyed have said they changed their habits in the past 12 months to save money by doing things like checking unit prices, opting for frozen items, or buying marked down products.
“Supermarket loyalty is dropping, with nearly half of Aussies visiting two supermarkets to complete their regular grocery run, and 18 per cent visiting three or more stores.
“This latest research shows just how savvy and laser-focused Australian consumers have become, and it’s the supermarkets like ALDI that deliver genuine, uncompromising value at the register that will continue to win customer satisfaction.”
