Top 10 grocery stores in the US named in massive study — and two of them are tied for first place
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Between Costco’s super-sized food and beverage portions to Whole Foods’ wide selection of organic produce and olive bar, every grocery store has something different to offer, making it difficult to pick a favorite But a new survey has come up with a list of the best based on customer preferences.
This year’s American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) survey, which measures consumer sentiment across a range of business sectors, discovered the top 10 supermarkets highly acclaimed by over 41,000 individuals across the country.
Participants considered factors such as store quality, mobile app reliability, service, product quality, store atmosphere, pickup process, and website satisfaction before deciding which was their prized spot.
According to ACSI, supermarkets saw customer satisfaction ratings rise by 4 percent overall last year, moving the overall category’s score to 79 out of 100. Two stores tied for first place: Trader Joe’s and Publix, rating 84 out of 100.
Trader Joe’s satisfaction has remained consistent in the last 12 months, while Publix’s dropped by one percent last year, evening their scores at 84. Other notable mentions were Sam’s Club, ShopRite, Target, and Aldi.
Here are the top 10 grocery stores in the U.S. in the survey
Trader Joe’s
The California-based grocery franchise returned to its number one ranking this year after being the second choice for many in 2024. From its seasonal freezer goodies to bargain prices, Trader Joe’s is beloved by many. There are currently 608 store locations across the U.S., with 205 in the company’s headquarters state.
Publix
Publix tied with Trader Joe’s in customer satisfaction, securing the top spot for the second year in a row. While the Florida-based food supply saw a one percent dip in its overall score, shoppers were still more than pleased with its in-store experience, staff, store layout, and cleanliness. Publix grocery stores are located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Sam’s Club
Sam’s Club, a members-only franchise, remained consistent in customer satisfaction from 2024 to 2025, tying with Wegmans at 83. The grocery conglomerate was founded in 1983, starting with its first-ever store in Oklahoma. Now, Sam’s Club is owned by Walmart and has grown to 599 locations across the country. Customers are expected to pay $50 per year for the retailer’s Club membership, and $110 for its Plus membership.
Wegmans
Wegmans saw a one percent jump in its satisfaction score this year, solidifying its spot alongside Sam’s Club. With over 110 stores spanning the East Coast, the food giant is often praised for its prepared food section with fresh sushi and a wide array of baked goods.
H-E-B
H-E-B was ranked third overall this year after being ranked number one in 2024. The Texas-based discount grocer saw its satisfaction rate dip by four percent from last year. H-E-B boasts over 435 store locations in Texas and Mexico, making it the number one pick among shoppers in the South.
Whole Foods
The organic food supplier has over 500 locations throughout the country. In 2017, the retailer was bought by Amazon for about $13.7 billion and has since ushered in Prime member discounts, package pick-up and return, as well as Amazon’s one palm payment checkout function. Whole Foods has a renowned prepared food section, including pizza, grill, hot, and cold bar sections.
Aldi
Aldi boasts a low-cost, catered supply of food with a reported 2,356 locations in the country in 2024. The German-based grocer only offers select brands for staple food items.
Costco
It’s no secret this membership-only food franchise has all the mega-sized items you could possibly need, and with a satisfaction score of 81, most shoppers are pretty satisfied with what it has to offer. Both the Gold Star Costco membership and the Business membership cost patrons $65 a year, while the Executive membership is $130 a year.
ShopRite
ShopRite is based in New Jersey where most of its stores are located. The food giant opened its first store in Newark back in 1946. Since 2024, ShopRite’s customer satisfaction has remained steady.
Target
While Target didn’t start selling groceries until 1995, it’s evident that the retailer is now celebrated for its food options. The first-ever Target to sell produce was in Omaha, Nebraska. In the last 30 years, the franchise has updated and opened all stores with a grocery section.
