South Australia’s Foodland was last night named the Australian Supermarket of the Year for 2015.

It’s the second time in three years the independent supermarket has received the award, presented by market research agency Roy Morgan.

About 50,000 Australians, aged 14 and over, are surveyed annually on their buying behaviour, brand attitudes, media consumption and brand satisfaction.

Foodland chief executive officer Con Sciacca, pictured, was proud to win against national and multinational supermarket chains from across Australia.

Sciacca said his stores stocked sought-after local and Australian products which were not sold by the national and international chains.

“We are proudly South Australian and strongly support our local producers,” he said.

Foodland CEO Con Sciacca

“As a result, we frequently stock brands that the other major supermarkets do not.

“We also have a strong commitment to our local community. We are a part of it, so we feel it is appropriate to give back.”

Foodland and its fellow independent supermarkets were thrust into the media spotlight earlier this year when they put forward a submission to the SA Liquor Licensing Act review for another push to stock alcohol in their stores.

They were joined in the fight by German mega supermarket chain Aldi, which opened four new stores in Adelaide earlier this month.

Despite gaining an ally in the battle to stock liquor, the arrival of the new chain was greeted with some enthusiasm but independents conceded they were bracing for a hit to their bottom line.

Aldi received a rockstar welcome when shoppers and supporters lined up, some the night before, to be the first through the doors at the opening of the Parafield Gardens store on February 3.

Foodland, which has 118 stores and enjoys about 32 per cent of the supermarket retail share in South Australia, is expecting a hit to that highest state market.