|
|
| Supermarkets |
| in
New Zealand |
|
 To
save money in New Zealand,
there
is no other way then to buy your food from the
supermarket. Even for those who are just travelling and
are staying in motels (which have a equipped kitchen in
all rooms), it is possible to save up more than half by
simply not eating out, especially if you are more than one
person. There are 3 major supermarket chains that operate
and many little local mini marts.
Convinience
stores
Dairy
in
New Zealand, are small shops offering the basic stapple
items such as milk, bread, butter, eggs, newspapers,
cigarettes, potato chips, candy, juices and soft drinks
etc.. They open early, around 6 am and close around 7 in
the evening. The prices are a little higher than
supermarkets, but are still affordable enough. They are
found in any town of any size, The Dairy is the
oldest and most traditional form of mini mart in New
Zealand, and many of them are family operated, a husband
wife and kids operation. Some also sell prepared hot foods
such as fish and chips and burgers, some have also
included selling lotto tickets, and other have turned into
a little supermarket
Petrol
Station (gas station)
– Practically all petrol stations also serve as a little
convenience store, offering similar items as the Dairy. In
certain cities and during certain times they can be the
only place open to buy those products that you need. The
prices are a little higher than Dairies. They normally
accept all bank and credit cards (including international)
Superettes
– Are a chain of mini supermarket and found in the major
cities. They offer a greater variety of products then the
Dairy, but prices are still higher than Supermarkets.
It’s a good place if you are buying small number of
items.
Local
Markets –
They are located
normally in each suburb, and consist of a many different
shops (like a mini shopping centre) such as bakery,
newsagency, dairy, dentist, fish and chip shop, and in 90%
of them also a mini market of fresh fruit and vegetables.
As they attend to very local customers, prices normally
are very reasonable. Asian markets are also sometimes
found for those exotic ingredients. They are normally
opened from 7 am to 7pm, and 7 days a week.
Supermarkets
-
Either they are
located in a large area on a main street or they can be
found inside a shopping centre. The major supermarket
chains are present in most major larger and medium size
cities and open from 9am to 9pm.Either they are
located in a large area on a main street or they can be
found inside a shopping centre. The major supermarket
chains are present in most major larger and medium size
cities and open from 9am to 9pm.
New
World
– Is a medium size supermarket chain. It is not as big
as some others, but offer good prices and specials. They
are not as busy as the larger chains, and it’s a good
local option.
Woolworths
– This is a giant supermarket chain, present in all
major cities, including in Australia. They are huge with a
great variety of items. It incorporates everything in one
single place: butchery, fishery, delicatessen, fruit and
market. This is the most popular supermarket chain in New
Zealand, and is referred by the Kiwis as Woolli.
Pack
n' Save
– It is also a large supermarket chain of large size.
Similar to Woolli’s, they offer a great range of items
and excellent prices. It has grown a lot in the past
years, and are in fierce competition with woolli. In the
last purchase that we made, prices here were slightly
cheaper than at Woolworths. As the name suggests you they
provide you with the bags, but you have to pack your
groceries yourself, and because of that they can make
prices a little cheaper. A disadvantage is that they are
still not present in many cities.
Tip:
most
supermarket have now also developed its own generic brand
of products to compete with other traditional brands.
Normally the packages of these products are very simple,
using limited colours such as white and blue, or white and
red, and are pretty ugly. They are much cheaper that other
brands and have adopted names that reflect that, such as
“budget” or “savings”. Some of these products are
much worse than buying brand names, but usually we have
found them to be similar, and some even better than brand
name items. By buying these generic brands, you can save
up to 50% on your groceries.
Read
more about food in New Zealand...
|
Home
