Hardware stores in Australia:Which are most popular?
In September 2026, Bunnings was the most searched hardware store in Australia, accounting for 79.1% of all searches among the five stores we track. When we checked with ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews, Bunnings, Sydney Tools, Total Tools and Mitre 10 were mentioned most often, in three of the four answers. Bunnings was recommended most often, coming first in two out of three responses that gave a list.
BunningsShare of searches 79.1%Mentioned in 3 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
Sydney ToolsShare of searches 8.7%Mentioned in 3 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
Total ToolsShare of searches 7.1%Mentioned in 3 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
Mitre 10Share of searches 4.7%Mentioned in 3 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
Home HardwareShare of searches 0.35%Mentioned in 1 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
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Top hardware stores in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In Brandwave's three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Bunnings, Sydney Tools, Total Tools and Mitre 10 were mentioned most often, in three of the four answers. Bunnings was recommended most often, coming first in two out of three answers that gave a list. Total Tools was second, and Mitre 10 was third.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Bunnings1st
- Total Tools2nd
- Mitre 103rd
- Sydney Tools4th
- Home Hardware5th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Bunnings3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Sydney Tools3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Total Tools3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Mitre 103 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- Home Hardware1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about hardware stores
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Where should I buy tools and hardware in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best hardware stores in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best store in Australia for power tools?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“hardware store near me”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“hardware store”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in Australia on October 22, 2026.
Which hardware stores do people search for most?
This chart shows how often people search Google for each hardware store by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five hardware stores we track, month by month, from searches in Australia.
Share of searches by month for Bunnings, Sydney Tools, Total Tools, Mitre 10. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Bunnings | Sydney Tools | Total Tools | Mitre 10 | Home Hardware |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 80.4% | 7.2% | 7.2% | 4.8% | 0.29% |
| Nov 2025 | 81.2% | 7.3% | 7.3% | 4% | 0.24% |
| Dec 2025 | 81.5% | 7.3% | 6% | 4.9% | 0.29% |
| Jan 2026 | 80.4% | 7.2% | 7.2% | 4.8% | 0.29% |
| Feb 2026 | 79.2% | 8.7% | 7.1% | 4.7% | 0.29% |
| Mar 2026 | 79.2% | 8.7% | 7.1% | 4.7% | 0.29% |
| Apr 2026 | 79.1% | 8.7% | 7.1% | 4.7% | 0.35% |
| May 2026 | 76.5% | 10.3% | 8.4% | 4.6% | 0.28% |
| Jun 2026 | 74% | 12.1% | 9.9% | 3.6% | 0.27% |
| Jul 2026 | 79.8% | 8.8% | 7.2% | 3.9% | 0.29% |
| Aug 2026 | 76.4% | 10.3% | 8.4% | 4.6% | 0.34% |
| Sep 2026 | 79.1% | 8.7% | 7.1% | 4.7% | 0.35% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 79.1% | 3.4M | 0% | +2.7 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 8.7% | 368K | -18.2% | -1.6 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 7.1% | 301K | -18.2% | -1.3 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 4.7% | 201K | 0% | +0.2 points | |
| 5, held 5th | 0.35% | 14.8K | 0% | 0 points |
1.
Bunnings79.1%
Held 1st. 3.4M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +2.7 points.
8.7%
Held 2nd. 368K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share -1.6 points.
7.1%
Held 3rd. 301K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share -1.3 points.
4.
Mitre 104.7%
Held 4th. 201K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.2 points.
0.35%
Held 5th. 14.8K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
Which brand is most popular in search among hardware stores in Australia?
5 brands
In September 2026, Bunnings was the most searched among hardware stores in Australia, with an estimated 3.4M branded searches, 79.1% of all searches for the five we track. Sydney Tools is in 2nd place, 70.4 percentage points behind at 8.7%.
| Brand | Share of searches | Peak | Low | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bunnings | 80.4% → 79.1% | 81.5%Dec 2025 | 74%Jun 2026 | 1st |
| Sydney Tools | 7.2% → 8.7% | 12.1%Jun 2026 | 7.2%Oct 2025 | 2nd |
| Total Tools | 7.2% → 7.1% | 9.9%Jun 2026 | 6%Dec 2025 | 3rd |
| Mitre 10 | 4.8% → 4.7% | 4.9%Dec 2025 | 3.6%Jun 2026 | 4th |
| Home Hardware | 0.29% → 0.35% | 0.35%Apr 2026 | 0.24%Nov 2025 | 5th |
Each finding as a sentence
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Bunnings’ share of searches among hardware stores in Australia decreased from 80.4% to 79.1%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sydney Tools’ share of searches among hardware stores in Australia increased from 7.2% to 8.7%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Bunnings’ share of searches among hardware stores in Australia peaked at 81.5% in December 2025 and was lowest at 74% in June 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sydney Tools’ share of searches among hardware stores in Australia peaked at 12.1% in June 2026 and was lowest at 7.2% in October 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Total Tools’ share of searches among hardware stores in Australia peaked at 9.9% in June 2026 and was lowest at 6% in December 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Mitre 10’s share of searches among hardware stores in Australia peaked at 4.9% in December 2025 and was lowest at 3.6% in June 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Total Tools, Mitre 10 and Home Hardware held steady: their share of searches among hardware stores in Australia each moved less than 0.5 percentage points.
How did search popularity change for Australia hardware stores in September 2026?
4 changes
In September 2026, Bunnings gained share of searches among hardware stores in Australia, from 76.4% to 79.1%.
In September 2026, Sydney Tools lost share of searches among hardware stores in Australia, from 10.3% to 8.7%.
In September 2026, Total Tools lost share of searches among hardware stores in Australia, from 8.4% to 7.1%.
Mitre 10’s share of searches among hardware stores in Australia has gained ground for 3 months in a row, from 3.6% to 4.7% in September 2026.
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