Chemist Warehouse vs MECCA:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Chemist Warehouse had more branded searches than MECCA among beauty retailers in Australia. Chemist Warehouse had about 2.7 million branded searches, while MECCA had 450,000. Chemist Warehouse made up 73.8% of all beauty retailer searches we track, and MECCA accounted for 12.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about beauty retailers, Chemist Warehouse and MECCA each appeared in three of the four answers. MECCA was mentioned before Chemist Warehouse in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Chemist Warehouse, about 6 searches for every 1 for MECCA
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 3 of 4 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
MECCA, named ahead of Chemist Warehouse in every answer
Follow Chemist Warehouse vs MECCA and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top beauty retailers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Chemist Warehouse and MECCA were each mentioned in three out of four: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. MECCA was listed before Chemist Warehouse in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Chemist Warehouse3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- MECCA3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Sephora3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Adore Beauty3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Priceline Pharmacy2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Lookfantastic0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about beauty retailers
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Where should I buy skincare and makeup in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best beauty stores in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best online beauty store in Australia?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“makeup online”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“beauty store”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in Australia on October 22, 2026.
Is Chemist Warehouse or MECCA more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Chemist Warehouse and MECCA by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six beauty retailers we track, month by month, from searches in Australia.
Share of searches by month for Chemist Warehouse, MECCA. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Chemist Warehouse | MECCA | Sephora | Priceline Pharmacy | Adore Beauty | Lookfantastic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 73.8% | 12.1% | 6.6% | 4.4% | 3% | 0.08% |
| Nov 2025 | 68.6% | 13.8% | 9.2% | 4.1% | 4.1% | 0.07% |
| Dec 2025 | 71.8% | 14.5% | 6.5% | 4.3% | 2.9% | 0.05% |
| Jan 2026 | 76.1% | 10.2% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 2.5% | 0.04% |
| Feb 2026 | 70.4% | 17.3% | 5.2% | 4.2% | 2.8% | 0.05% |
| Mar 2026 | 77.2% | 10.4% | 4.6% | 4.6% | 3.1% | 0.04% |
| Apr 2026 | 72.2% | 11.9% | 6.5% | 6.5% | 2.9% | 0.05% |
| May 2026 | 72.9% | 12% | 5.3% | 5.3% | 4.4% | 0.04% |
| Jun 2026 | 74% | 12.2% | 5.4% | 5.4% | 3% | 0.04% |
| Jul 2026 | 73.1% | 12% | 6.6% | 5.4% | 2.9% | 0.04% |
| Aug 2026 | 71.4% | 14.3% | 6.4% | 4.3% | 3.5% | 0.04% |
| Sep 2026 | 73.8% | 12.1% | 6.6% | 4.4% | 3% | 0.04% |
How has the Chemist Warehouse and MECCA comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Chemist Warehouse was ahead of MECCA in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Chemist Warehouse’s share of searches among beauty retailers in Australia held steady at 73.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 3.4M to 2.7M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, MECCA’s share of searches among beauty retailers in Australia held steady at 12.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 550K to 450K.
How did search popularity change for Australia beauty retailers in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Chemist Warehouse gained share of searches among beauty retailers in Australia, from 71.4% to 73.8%.
In September 2026, MECCA lost share of searches among beauty retailers in Australia, from 14.3% to 12.1%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Chemist Warehouse’s and MECCA’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Chemist Warehouse
1 branded search term
- chemist warehouse
MECCA
1 branded search term
- mecca
Other head-to-heads among beauty retailers
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.