senior Scoops

Trader Joe’s is no longer America’s favorite grocery store. At least it was not in 2024.

That’s according to the annual American Customer Satisfaction Index Retail and Consumer Shipping Study.

Despite receiving the same score it got in 2023, the Monrovia, Calif.-based supermarket is now in fourth place behind three chains tied for first: Costco, Florida based Publix, and H-E-B which operates primarily in Texas.

Rounding out the top five is the Walmart-owned wholesale retailer Sam’s Club.

The index gives chains a satisfaction score out of 100. Scoring is based on factors including a store’s layout, hours, variety of merchandise, and courtesy and helpfulness of staff. Speed of checkout was also considered.

The scores were calculated based on interviews with 40,264 customers between January and December of 2024. Those customers were asked to evaluate their recent experiences at the nation’s biggest chains.

The top 3 all scored 85 points last year, narrowly beating out Trader Joe’s score of 84. Costco and H-E-B scored the highest when it came to value. Consumers rated Publix positively when it came to staff courtesy and store cleanliness, according to the study.

In an interview with Real Simple, ACSI director of research emeritus Forrest Morgeson, stating the obvious said:

…customers were drawn to retailers that gave them the most bang for their buck.

These are the top 10 supermarket chains in the American Customer Satisfaction Index:

• Costco (85 points)
• H-E-B (85 points)
• Publix (85 points)
• Trader Joe’s (84 points)
• Sam’s Club (83 points)
• BJ’s Wholesale Club (82 points)
• Target (82 points)
• Wegmans (82 points)
• Whole Foods (82 points)
• Aldi (81 points)

What is your favorite or go-to grocer? let me know in the comments.

I write short pieces about the people, brands, and events that shape our culture.

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