The end of financial year sales might be chock-full of bargains, but that doesn’t mean you’ll want to be throwing away your cash without care.
If you’re trying to figure out where to look for the best products, you might be able to get some ideas from the winners of the 2023 Finder Retail Awards, which found the top-rated shops across a range of retailer categories.
Finder worked with data and insights company Dynata to survey tens of thousands of Australians to understand how they feel about their recent product purchases, and used this information to identify what people like most.
Best-rated electronics retailer: JB Hi-Fi
JB Hi-Fi won this year’s Finder Award for the best electronics retailer, with customers rating its product range above all other entrants.
It also scored high marks for customer service, and was recommended by an impressive 96 per cent of people surveyed.
JB Hi-Fi’s popularity has proved itself in the company’s bottom line, with total sales having amounted to $5.3 billion in the first half of the 2023 financial year, putting the company on track to post a half-yearly net profit of $329.9 million.
Honourable mentions go to Appliances Online and Kogan.
Best-rated hardware store: Bunnings
Bunnings isn’t just good for its sausage sizzles, it has been rated as the best hardware store for the second year in a row.
Nine in 10 respondents gave it their seal of recommendation, thanks to its wide range of products.
Honourable mentions go to Amazon and Mitre 10.
Best-rated outdoors retailer: BCF
The boating, camping and fishing retailer topped the outdoors category for customer service, and also received high scores for product range and value for money.
Nearly all respondents said they would recommend BCF to a friend.
Honourable mentions go to North Face and Macpac.
Best-rated supermarket brand: Coles
Coles has emerged victorious in the battles of the supermarkets, having received the highest scores for customer service and product quality this year.
It was recommended by 91 per cent of surveyed customers.
Honourable mentions go to Aldi and Woolworths.
Best-rated bottle shop: Dan Murphy’s
Dan Murphy’s high customer service score, great variety of products and value for money are all factors that contributed to its win.
An impressive 94 per cent of respondents said they would recommend the store to others.
Endeavour Group CEO Steve Donohue revealed in May more customers are driving to brick-and-mortar Dan Murphy’s outlets to make purchases rather than buying online to make sure they get the best price on offer.
Dan Murphy’s is also increasingly using its loyalty program, which has 5.1 million people signed up, to personalise recommendations for customers based on user patterns.
Honourable mentions go to First Choice Liquor and Cellarbrations.
Best-rated pharmacy: TerryWhite Chemmart
For its high scores in customer service, product range and product quality, TerryWhite Chemmart topped its category, and was recommended by 94 per cent of surveyed Aussies.
Honourable mentions go to Priceline Pharmacy and Chemist Warehouse.
Best-rated white goods store: Appliances Online
While it might have lost out to JB Hi-Fi in electronics, Appliances Online took out the white goods category with an overall recommendation rating of 97 per cent.
Finder said the retailer blitzed the competition in customer service ratings and also scored highly for product range and value for money.
Honourable mentions go to Bing Lee and Officeworks.
Best-rated baby store: Baby Village
Being a new parent can be expensive, so if you’re looking to save some money by shopping the EOFY sales this year, Baby Village comes recommended by 92 per cent of the customers Finder surveyed.
The high rating is thanks to the retailer’s impressive scores for customer service, product range, product quality and value for money.
Honourable mentions go to Baby Bunting and Baby Kingdom.
Best-rated makeup retailer: Adore Beauty
Online Australian-born cosmetics retailer Adore Beauty beat-out heavy hitters like Chemist Warehouse, Priceline and Mecca in the packed makeup category.
The brand ranked well for range of products and value for money, and was recommended by an impressive 98 per cent of people surveyed.
Honourable mentions go to Priceline and Mecca.
Best-rated pet store retailer brand: Petstock
Your furry, scaly or feathery best friend deserves the best, and not every pet store is equal.
Petstock overwhelmingly won the Finder Award this year with 98 per cent of respondents recommending the brand.
Honourable mentions go to Budget Pet Products and Pet Circle.
Best-rated stationery retailer brand: Muji
The Japanese import might stock everything from clothes to furniture, but that doesn’t mean it’s neglecting the quality of its stationery.
Muji scored well for its product range and quality, with nearly all of its customers surveyed recommending the brand.
Honourable mentions go to Kmart and Big W.
