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2026 New Zealand price guide

Which supermarket is cheapest in NZ?

Published research gives PAK'nSAVE the overall edge. Your cheapest weekly shop, however, depends on the products, branches, specials, and loyalty prices available to you.

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Short answer

Reviewed 14 August 2026
PAK'nSAVE leads the 2026 study

Consumer NZ compared a 16-item basket for eight weeks across Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. PAK'nSAVE had the lowest total in every city tested.

Treat that as a strong baseline, not a guarantee. shoparound helps you compare the products and nearby stores that make up your own basket.

Read the Consumer NZ study

84,221+

products with recorded prices

745+

store locations represented

16

supported retail chains

Why answers differ

The cheapest chain is not always your cheapest shop

National studies answer a useful general question. A personal comparison answers the question that affects your budget: where is my complete list cheapest this week?

Your local branch

New Zealand supermarket prices can differ by location, especially between independently operated Foodstuffs stores.

Your actual basket

A chain can be cheapest overall while another store is cheaper for the particular brands and sizes you buy.

Specials and loyalty prices

Member prices and promotions move each week. A special is only valuable when it beats the alternatives and the usual price.

Unit price

Pack prices can mislead. Comparing dollars per 100g, kilogram, litre, or item makes different sizes comparable.

shoparound coverage

Compare the stores that are relevant to you

Coverage counts show locations represented in shoparound's store database. Product availability and update times differ by retailer and branch.

Start a price check
PAK'nSAVE
60 locations
New World
150 locations
Woolworths
182 locations
The Warehouse
85 locations
FreshChoice
49 locations
SuperValue
1 location
Paddock to Pantry
1 location
The Meat Box
1 location
Mad Butcher
20 locations
Farro
8 locations
Commonsense Organics
1 location
Petdirect
6 locations
Animates
48 locations
Mitre 10
90 locations
Bunnings
42 locations
Reduced to Clear
1 location

A fair comparison

How to find your cheapest supermarket

  1. 1Select the nearby supermarket branches you would genuinely visit.
  2. 2Add the same brand and pack size to your list wherever possible.
  3. 3Compare the unit price when pack sizes or multi-buy offers differ.
  4. 4Check whether a special is lower than the product's recent price history.
  5. 5Compare the complete basket total, including products missing from a store.

Methodology and reliable sources

shoparound displays the latest retailer prices it has observed and lets shoppers choose local stores. This guide uses Consumer NZ's 2026 controlled basket study for the national answer and New Zealand Consumer Protection guidance for fair unit price comparisons.

Consumer NZ 2026 studyConsumer Protection unit-price guide

Common questions

Cheapest supermarket NZ FAQ

Which supermarket is cheapest in New Zealand in 2026?

Consumer NZ's 2026 basket study found PAK'nSAVE cheapest across the four cities it tested. Your result can differ because prices, brands, specials, loyalty offers, and product availability vary by branch and week.

Is PAK'nSAVE always cheaper than Woolworths or New World?

No. PAK'nSAVE can have the lowest total across a representative basket while individual products are cheaper elsewhere. Compare the same brand, size, and unit price at your local stores.

How should I compare supermarket prices fairly?

Use the same products and sizes, include loyalty prices only when you are eligible for them, compare unit prices, and calculate the complete basket total rather than judging one promotional item.

Do supermarket prices vary by location in NZ?

Yes. Prices and availability can vary between store locations. Selecting the branches you actually visit gives a more useful comparison than relying on one nationwide headline.

Compare your real basket, not an average one

Select nearby stores, add the products you buy, and use current prices and price history to decide where your next shop costs less.

Build your comparison