These Are America's Top 10 Grocery Stores, According to More Than 40,000 Shoppers

Yahoo

24-02-2025

How does one choose a favorite grocery store? Some shoppers may be drawn to neatly organized aisles, while others prioritize low prices—even if that means navigating a bit of chaos. With so many options, personal preference plays a key role in the decision.
More than 41,000 shoppers weighed in on their top grocery retailers, and thus, the people have spoken. The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), an annual 'cross-industry tool' that measures consumer sentiment across various sectors, has released its 2025 survey findings. In the supermarket category, two beloved chains—Trader Joe's and Publix—tied for the top spot, an outcome that may not come as a surprise to their loyal customers.
More than 41,000 shoppers weighed their own preferences for America's biggest grocery retailers — and thus, the people have spoken. The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), an annual 'cross-industry tool' that measures shoppers' sentiments about top retailers across various sectors, has released its 2025 survey findings. In the supermarket category, two beloved chains—Trader Joe's and Publix—tied for the top spot, an outcome that may not come as a surprise to their loyal customers.
Related: On a Budget? This Tool Can Help Plan Your Grocery Lists
While 65% of brands across multiple retail categories, including online, general merchandise, and specialty stores, saw a decline in satisfaction ratings, overall grocery stores bucked the trend and remained steady. In fact, ACSI notes that supermarkets saw a remarkable 4% increase in satisfaction the year before.
'Factors like mobile shopping capabilities, website quality, and perceptions of value are becoming increasingly important, especially for the 18-25 age group, who expressed significantly lower satisfaction levels compared to older demographics,' explained Forrest Morgeson, director of research emeritus at the ACSI.
Read on to find out which grocery chains made the cut—perhaps including one of your favorites.
This budget-minded retailer apparently has it all — at least, in the court of public opinion. It tied with Publix for the number one slot this year, rising from No. 2 in 2024 with a steady customer satisfaction score year-over-year. (Plus, ACSI says it enjoyed a several-year winning streak before it was broken in 2024.) The brand takes feedback seriously: It recently hosted its own 16th-annual customer survey for the best products on its shelves.
Tied for the coveted top spot is Publix, a regional chain beloved for its low prices, deli offerings, and fried chicken. This employee-owned company (the largest in the country!) has more than 1,300 locations across the Southeastern United States, with many of them (872) found in The Sunshine State. The social media hype around its now-viral Pub Sub doesn't hurt, either.
This member-only warehouse retailer began with a single Oklahoma store in 1983 and has since grown to nearly 600 locations across the United States. Sam's Club is owned by Walmart and, like other bulk retailers, is known for its food court offerings and tempting free samples. Compared to the past year, its ACSI satisfaction rating remained consistent.
For shoppers craving a different checkout experience, try exploring what Wegmans is offering these days. The East Coast chain's satisfaction score jumped by a remarkable 1% (the largest increase among the top 10). It boasts a small but mighty 110 stores in just eight states, so it's even more impressive that it clinched such a high ranking. Plus, our editors love its tech-forward approach to self-checkout.
Texas-based chain H-E-B tied with Costco and Publix for the top spot in the 2024 report, but its ranking has since fallen by 3 points. (It took a 4% hit in satisfaction score this year.) Meanwhile, the regional grocer is expanding its digital reach with a recently opened e-commerce fulfillment center in Houston.
The chain, which was acquired by Amazon in 2017 for an estimated $13.7 billion, offers more than 500 locations across the United States. In recent years, the chain's offered up plenty of novelty (including a limited-edition pie and a curated cheese selection for the holidays) that's built an enthusiastic following. Here, grocery checkout also gets a high-tech treatment with the recent introduction of Amazon One's palm payment option.
This no-frills grocer might be the most cost-effective, as its everyday low prices and minimalist approach likely helped it secure a spot in the top 10. Looking for a little inspiration? In another recent consumer survey, shoppers ranked its $12 bottle of sparkling rosé (and a slew of other Aldi-exclusive options) as the best grocery offerings overall.
There's lots to love about this big box bulk retailer, from member-only savings to its almost-mythical $1.50 hot dogs. Those might not have been enough to woo shoppers this year, though: Costco's shopper satisfaction score dropped 5% in 2024, the most significant dip on the ACSI's dataset. It was previously tied for the top spot in 2024, which leaves us wondering what changed. Still, customers aren't shy about their love of the chain, and some are even waiting in a mile-long line to save on a bulk carton of eggs.
Although most of ShopRite's locations are concentrated in New Jersey, that didn't stop this regional retailer from making the top 10. The chain says its approach is centered on 'families serving families,' and its customer backing remains solid: In 2024, it remained steady with a consistent score year over year.
Arriving in the No. 10 spot, Target's customer satisfaction decreased slightly (2% year-over-year). Standing at nearly 2,000 locations, the mega-retailer has been in the headlines lately: Amid rising inflation last year, it promised to cut prices on 5,000 grocery items and 'common' non-perishables to ease customers' costs. Recently, though, it faced pushback after announcing it would scale back diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Shoppers completed this ACSI survey between January and December 2024, so we'll have to wait for a full scope of the customer response.
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