Brandwave

JB Hi-Fi vs PB Tech:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, PB Tech had more branded searches than JB Hi-Fi among computer retailers in New Zealand. PB Tech had about 263,000 branded searches, while JB Hi-Fi had 253,000. PB Tech made up 32.7% of all computer retailer searches we track, and JB Hi-Fi accounted for 31.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about computer retailers, both JB Hi-Fi and PB Tech appeared in all three answers. PB Tech was mentioned before JB Hi-Fi in every answer.

Among computer retailers in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

PB Tech and JB Hi-Fi are searched for about as often as each other.

PB Tech 263K searchesJB Hi-Fi 253K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.

JB Hi-Fi in 3 of 3PB Tech in 3 of 3

Who does AI recommend more?

PB Tech, named ahead of JB Hi-Fi in every answer

PB Tech first in 3JB Hi-Fi never first

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Top computer retailers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions, both JB Hi-Fi and PB Tech showed up in all three answers. PB Tech was listed before JB Hi-Fi in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. PB Tech1st
  2. Computer Lounge2nd
  3. Noel Leeming3rd
  4. JB Hi-Fi4th
  5. Extreme PC5th
  6. PlayTech6th
  7. Ascent–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Noel Leeming3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • PB Tech3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • JB Hi-Fi3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Computer Lounge3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • PlayTech2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Extreme PC1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Ascent0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers

See every answer about computer retailers

3 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.

Is JB Hi-Fi or PB Tech more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for JB Hi-Fi and PB Tech by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven computer retailers we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

JB Hi-Fi and PB Tech among computer retailers in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for PB Tech, JB Hi-Fi. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthNoel LeemingPB TechJB Hi-FiComputer LoungeExtreme PCPlayTechAscent
Oct 202536%34.3%27.7%1.6%0.37%<0.01%<0.01%
Nov 202535.4%35.2%27.6%1.3%0.38%<0.01%<0.01%
Dec 202538.5%30.2%29.8%1.2%0.35%<0.01%<0.01%
Jan 202636.1%34.3%27.7%1.6%0.37%<0.01%<0.01%
Feb 202636.1%34.3%27.6%1.6%0.35%0.01%<0.01%
Mar 202633.4%39.1%25.6%1.5%0.36%0.01%<0.01%
Apr 202634.1%32.4%31.5%1.5%0.4%<0.01%<0.01%
May 202635.8%34.5%27.3%1.9%0.48%0.01%<0.01%
Jun 202635.9%34.6%27.4%1.6%0.49%<0.01%<0.01%
Jul 202636%34.3%27.3%1.9%0.48%<0.01%<0.01%
Aug 202635.6%34.6%27.4%2%0.49%<0.01%<0.01%
Sep 202633.8%32.7%31.6%1.5%0.4%<0.01%<0.01%

How has the JB Hi-Fi and PB Tech comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • PB Tech was ahead of JB Hi-Fi in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, JB Hi-Fi’s share of searches among computer retailers in New Zealand moved from 27.7% to 31.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 253K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, PB Tech’s share of searches among computer retailers in New Zealand moved from 34.3% to 32.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 313K to 263K.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand computer retailers in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, JB Hi-Fi gained share of searches among computer retailers in New Zealand, from 27.4% to 31.6%.

  2. In September 2026, PB Tech lost share of searches among computer retailers in New Zealand, from 34.6% to 32.7%.

How are branded searches counted?

20 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using JB Hi-Fi’s and PB Tech’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.

JB Hi-Fi

12 branded search terms

  • ipad jb hi fi
  • JB Hi Fi
  • jb hi fi bayfair
  • jb hi fi botany
  • jb hi fi chromebook
  • jb hi fi dvds
  • jb hi fi phones
  • jb hi fi pokemon
  • jb hi fi sale
  • jbhifi botany
  • jbhifi queen street
  • kindle jb hi fi

PB Tech

8 branded search terms

  • pb tech ipad
  • pb tech nelson
  • pb tech phones
  • pb tech sale
  • pbtech
  • pbtech blackfriday
  • pbtech glenfield
  • pbtech tablets

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among computer retailers

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