Here's the supermarket Aussies no longer trust—and the stores winning big

Supermarket giant tumbles as hardware chain dominates. Image source: Pexels/DS stories | Disclaimer: This is a stock image used for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual person, item, or event described.

Australians are shifting their loyalties in surprising ways, and the latest trusted brands ranking proves it.

One supermarket giant that once wore the crown of trust has now fallen dramatically to the bottom of the list.

At the same time, a hardware favourite continues to dominate despite growing concerns.

Woolworths, which had previously been named the most trusted supermarket brand, was now ranked as Australia's most distrusted brand according to Roy Morgan research.

This reversal showed how quickly consumer sentiment could change in the face of rising costs and economic pressures.

At the top end of the list, Bunnings held firm, claiming its sixth straight quarterly win as Australia's most trusted brand since late 2023.

'Bunnings customers consistently mentioned the “Price matching, good quality and range of products, and helpful staff” as key reasons for the high levels of trust.'

Despite this, distrust of Bunnings had also been rising since mid-2023.

Concerns about the company's growing dominance, profit motives, and increasing prices were highlighted, even drawing scrutiny in a recent #Four Corners investigation.

Still, the chain's price-matching policy, wide product selection, and consistently helpful staff kept it ahead in consumer trust—particularly important for shoppers navigating cost-of-living struggles.

The discount duo holding strong

The second and third places were filled by ALDI and Kmart, both recognised for their ability to help households stretch their dollars.

ALDI had been awarded the winner in the Supermarkets and Convenience Store category, while Kmart celebrated three consecutive years as the 'Most Trusted Brand in Department & Discount Department Stores'.

For seniors managing fixed incomes, ALDI's no-frills model and Kmart's affordable everyday range offered practical, dependable value.

In a major development within the financial sector, Commonwealth Bank rose four spots to 12th place, making it the most trusted bank in Australia.

This rise came during a turbulent period for banks marked by job losses, branch closures, and customer frustrations—issues that particularly affected older Australians.

Commonwealth Bank's climb suggested it had managed these challenges better than competitors.

Beyond retail and banking, familiar household names held steady in the top rankings.

Toyota secured fifth place, Apple reached fourth, and Australia Post took sixth.

Toyota's enduring dominance—26 consecutive years as Australia's top-selling automotive manufacturer—was built on reliability and resale value, qualities that mattered to buyers seeking longevity in their purchases.

Australia Post maintained trust despite ongoing struggles with service changes, remaining an essential lifeline for communities, especially older Australians still reliant on traditional post.

These results made it clear that trust was built on consistency, fairness, and genuine value.

For Australians, especially seniors managing tighter budgets, knowing which brands had earned trust provided reassurance during uncertain times.

Trust in major retailers can shift quickly, and when it does, the financial consequences are often just as significant as the reputational ones.

One of the clearest examples of this involves two of the country’s biggest supermarket chains, which have faced intense scrutiny over pricing and value in recent months.

If you’re interested in seeing how declining confidence can translate into billions of dollars at stake, this next story is worth a closer look.

Read more: Woolworths and Coles face trust crisis—here’s how $4.1 billion could be the tipping point

Do these rankings match the way you shop, or do you place your trust elsewhere when it comes to everyday essentials?