Pak'n Save has been named New Zealand's cheapest supermarket chain for the 11th consecutive year in Consumer NZ magazine's annual supermarket survey.
Pak'n Save in Hillside Rd was the cheapest supermarket in Dunedin - and the third cheapest in New Zealand - ahead of Centre City New World and Dunedin Central Countdown.
Only the Pak'n Save supermarkets in Hamilton and Wellington offered cheaper prices than their Dunedin counterpart.
It was the first survey of Dunedin supermarkets not to include Woolworths, which has been converted to Countdown.
Last year, Woolworths in Andersons Bay, Dunedin, was named the most expensive supermarket in New Zealand.
The survey was conducted last month based on 40 items bought in each store.
Consumer NZ sent undercover shoppers to buy items from a list of top-selling products, including bread, biscuits, milk, soft drinks, pet food, butter, personal care and cleaning products.
In the South Island, supermarkets were surveyed in Dunedin and Christchurch.
Foodstuffs, which consists of three regional co-operatives of owner-operated stores, including New World and Pak'n Save, offered the best prices in five out of the six regions surveyed.
Progressive Enterprises ran the most expensive supermarkets; the Woolworths, Foodtown and Countdown chains and the Fresh Choice franchise.
Consumer NZ magazine editor David Naulls said yesterday Dunedin prices compared favourably with other main centres.
"Dunedin does pretty well. You're comparable with the cheapest in Auckland and Wellington and cheaper than Christchurch," he said.
Pak'n Save had again won the battle of the brands by concentrating on the basics, he said.
"Pak'n Save is a much more trimmed-down operation. There's a more limited range of brands and they don't worry too much about ambiance.
"But if you don't mind queuing a bit and you're not having to drive across town to get there, it's certainly better buying."
