Chemist Warehouse vs Unichem:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Unichem had more branded searches than Chemist Warehouse among community pharmacy brands in New Zealand. Unichem had about 34,400 branded searches, while Chemist Warehouse had 4,990. Unichem made up 23.4% of all community pharmacy brand searches we track, and Chemist Warehouse accounted for 3.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about community pharmacy brands, Unichem appeared in all three answers and Chemist Warehouse in two. Unichem was mentioned before Chemist Warehouse in two out of three answers.
Who do people search for more?
Unichem, about 7 searches for every 1 for Chemist Warehouse
Who does AI mention more?
Unichem, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Unichem, named ahead of Chemist Warehouse in 2 of 3 answers
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Top community pharmacy brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions, Unichem appeared in all three answers. Chemist Warehouse was mentioned in two out of three: in two of the three ChatGPT answers. Unichem was listed before Chemist Warehouse in two out of three answers.
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.
- Unichem3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Life Pharmacy3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Chemist Warehouse2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Bargain Chemist1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Woolworths Pharmacy0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
See every answer about community pharmacy brands
3 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which community pharmacy should I shop at in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best community pharmacies in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best community pharmacy in New Zealand for prescriptions and health products?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“chemist nz”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“prescription pharmacy”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
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 Chemist Warehouse or Unichem more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Chemist Warehouse and Unichem by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five community pharmacy brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Unichem, Chemist Warehouse. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Bargain Chemist | Unichem | Life Pharmacy | Woolworths Pharmacy | Chemist Warehouse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 49.5% | 24.7% | 18.5% | 4.1% | 3.2% |
| Nov 2025 | 46.5% | 25.2% | 21.3% | 3.4% | 3.7% |
| Dec 2025 | 44.8% | 27.1% | 20.5% | 3.4% | 4.2% |
| Jan 2026 | 49.8% | 24.8% | 18.4% | 3.8% | 3.2% |
| Feb 2026 | 44.9% | 27.3% | 20.4% | 3.9% | 3.5% |
| Mar 2026 | 47% | 28.9% | 17.4% | 3.6% | 3.2% |
| Apr 2026 | 46.9% | 29.1% | 17.4% | 2.9% | 3.7% |
| May 2026 | 48.3% | 27.6% | 18% | 3% | 3.2% |
| Jun 2026 | 47.7% | 27.1% | 17.7% | 3.6% | 3.9% |
| Jul 2026 | 48.4% | 27.4% | 18% | 3% | 3.3% |
| Aug 2026 | 53.2% | 24.6% | 16.2% | 3.1% | 2.9% |
| Sep 2026 | 50.8% | 23.4% | 18.8% | 3.6% | 3.4% |
How has the Chemist Warehouse and Unichem comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Unichem was ahead of Chemist Warehouse 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 community pharmacy brands in New Zealand moved from 3.2% to 3.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 4.9K to 5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Unichem’s share of searches among community pharmacy brands in New Zealand moved from 24.7% to 23.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 37.1K to 34.4K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand community pharmacy brands in September 2026?
1 change
In September 2026, Unichem lost share of searches among community pharmacy brands in New Zealand, from 24.6% to 23.4%.
How are branded searches counted?
6 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Chemist Warehouse’s and Unichem’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
2 branded search terms
- chemist warehouse botany
- chemist warehouse pharmacy
Unichem
4 branded search terms
- unichem
- unichem flu vaccination
- unichem pharmacy
- unichem vaccinations
Other head-to-heads among community pharmacy brands
- Bargain Chemist vs Unichem: compare popularity
- Bargain Chemist vs Life Pharmacy: compare popularity
- Bargain Chemist vs Woolworths Pharmacy: compare popularity
- Bargain Chemist vs Chemist Warehouse: compare popularity
- Unichem vs Life Pharmacy: compare popularity
- Unichem vs Woolworths Pharmacy: compare popularity
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