My favourite supermarket in the hills for range, price, friendliness and convenience…read more I wasn't a fan of the store layout at first, but it's grown on me. The checkout area, with it's huge glass windows and high ceilings feels like you're in an airport. And just like at the airport, I always feel as if I'm forgetting something. I like seeing the wide range of local, South Australian and Australian products. Some might think three different sections dedicated to cheese throughout the store is too many, but is there really such a thing as too much cheese? Probably. But only if you eat it all at once.

Foodland Supermarkets are something for South Australian's to be proud about. Really, I think it…read moretakes a strong business model and a very proud and loyal following to stand up to other corporate giant's in the supermarket business in Australia. As for the Romeo group who owns the Foodland in Stirling, you need to go there to see why their business is thriving. Generally, you will find a lot of produce from around the world. They are very particular in offering quality products amongst bigger brand names. In particular, the Romeo group Foodlands have amazing cheese, bakery and vegetable sections. Everything is fresh and a lot of it is locally sourced. Apart from the cheese of course; they have a huge variety of some of the best cheeses from around the world. Be sure to speak to the staff about the cheese, they are very knowledgeable for a supermarket. As for the layout of this store, it is easy to navigate. It is new, clean and well stocked in a logical order. There is nothing worse when you spend a while having to walk up and down isles to find simple things like shredded coconut. I am one of those loyal customers of Foodland. I refuse to go to the larger supermarkets unless it is an emergency. Be sure to support a business that supports it's community by selling local produce.

Stirling Woolworths is a decent supermarket, but nothing special. They manage queue length at the…read morecheckouts fairly well, except on Saturday mornings when the store is inundated with shoppers doing their weekly (although that particular force of nature is especially unstoppable). It's a large store and their product range is extensive enough to satisfy the shopper not looking for anything outside the usual. They have a solid but small range of organic produce. Those in search of more exciting vegetarian staples, better organic and/or more locally grown produce, and more choice at the gourmet end of the scale would do better in Foodland across the road, or the Organic Market around the side.

If you like buying nothing but woolies brand and you like the reduced inventory then this is the…read morestore for you. They have stopped stocking so many of my favourite items I've switched supermarkets.

Ah Coles. The Bridgewater Coles, like all supermarkets was once shiny and new. Today is a different…read morestory. Long gone are the days when hoards of people from all over the hills would flock here for the large variety of products at competitive prices. Apart from at really busy times (like Christmas) there are rarely more than 3 checkouts open. Also the variety that once graced the shelves has all but dissapeared, it isn't uncommon to be faced by an entire wall of the same brand, or same product. The staff are still friendly, but unfortunately this isn't enough as most hills supermarkets are blessed with quite friendly staff. If you're looking for a decent supermarket, might be best to look elsewhere.

Once a BI-LO, then a coles, then a foodworks, since the recent expansion of Romeo's supermarkets…read moreinto the Adelaide Hills, the supermarket in the little village of Aldgate has been an IGA. Not a great deal has changed since the last change of ownership, the very convenient long opening hours keep me dropping in, and I can normally find what I'm after. The staff are friendly, and patient with my often diminished social skills of an early morning or late night.