Pop quiz: What's your go-to grocery store? Admit it; you definitely have one... and an opinion about it too. opinions About what makes it your favorite. How can anyone resist? You probably visit quite often, so you aim to keep things as smooth as possible. Even though folks might have differing opinions on which aspect matters most, everyone considers these factors. affordability , convenience, and exceptional customer service along with their exclusive products have become essentials that I simply cannot do without. To be honest, I occasionally pass up significant discounts at other stores to shop at my preferred location—this speaks volumes about how important these factors are, particularly considering today’s economic climate!
Now, you might be questioning whether your favorite grocery store truly ranks at the top. Fortunately, a survey conducted by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) offers insight into this, uncovering which stores lead the nation in customer satisfaction. most popular grocery store And discover why shoppers adore it so much. Continue reading for more information—and perhaps uncover your next favorite spot.
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What methods did the research use to identify the leading grocery store?
In the ACSI Retail and Consumer Shipping Study conducted in 2025, 41,850 randomly selected consumers provided feedback on their most recent interactions with major retailers, which included grocery chains. These participants were reached via email for this research spanning from January through December of 2024.
ACSI then analyzed the responses to determine customer satisfaction based on expectations, perceptions of quality and perceptions of value. Each store received a customer satisfaction score between zero and 100 across 18 criteria, including the convenience of store hours and location, the quality of its mobile app and the courtesy and helpfulness of staff. The store with the highest score was named the top grocery store of 2025.
Which grocery store earned the top spot?
That somewhat poses as a tricky question since the survey did not identify a single leading grocery store in America; instead, it identified two! The ACSI report reveals this information. Trader Joe’s Publix shared the top position with another company, both earning an 84, which was one percent higher than the following supermarket. The ACSI reported that respondents pointed out "the ease of the curbside pick-up service, convenient operating times and store placements, along with high-quality mobile applications" as key factors behind their choices.
Here's an intriguing piece of information: In recent surveys, Trader Joe’s has been leading the pack. However, it dropped slightly to second place in the previous year. This time around, Publix, which was crowned champion alongside Costco and H-E-B for 2024, fell one percentage point compared to last year, tying up with Trader Joe’s whose ratings stayed constant. Nevertheless, every little victory counts!
Why are these stores so popular?
If you're a fan, then you understand—yet it's nice to revisit the reasoning behind your wise choice. Should you have never shopped at these stores or perhaps overlooked their potential benefits, this quick guide might encourage you to stop by during your upcoming trip to the supermarket.
Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe's has numerous appealing aspects, beginning with its impressive range of proprietary brand items such as the renowned Everything but the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend, Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups (which I personally adore), and distinctive frozen food options. Additionally, Trader Joe's values customer feedback significantly. This was demonstrated when they organized their 16th annual Customer Choice Awards event, inviting patrons to share which Trader Joe's-exclusive products were their favorites.
And then there are the ones who stand out low prices This amount can be reduced additionally using the coupons found in the store’s weekly coupon guide. Shoppers stay informed about promotions and everything related to Trader Joe’s through the store’s Fearless Flyer newsletter as well as their dedicated podcast.
Employees are also quite pleased with their workplace, which makes sense. The company typically receives favorable ratings on Glassdoor, suggesting it’s a great place to work , and staff enjoy top-notch benefits such as medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus they receive a 20% discount on all store products. Naturally, content employees lead to superior customer service, particularly in this scenario!
Publix
Although Publix exists primarily in the southeastern part of the country, its influence is significant. Low prices attract many shoppers, but what truly sets it apart is its spotless facilities and user-friendly design, along with the friendly demeanor of its employees. A key factor behind this positive atmosphere and practical amenities could be that Publix is owned by its workers—the biggest such enterprise in the U.S. Staff members receive company stocks once they log 1,000 work hours within a year, which fosters a sense of ownership and motivates them to ensure Publix thrives through top-notch customer care.
Customers often shout out about the chain’s special offerings, such as its Pub Subs, which have recently garnered nationwide attention online. These personalized deli sandwiches, crafted using freshly baked sub rolls prepared every day in-store, are incredibly popular. On platforms like TikTok, numerous clips showcase individuals tasting and evaluating these subs, resulting in predominantly favorable feedback. Extra perk: Should your desired topping not be available behind the deli counter, you can pick it up from one of the aisles for inclusion—what more could you ask for?
Which other supermarkets were at the top of the list?
- Trader Joe’s and Publix
- Sam’s Club (Walmart)
- Wegmans
- H-E-B
- Whole Foods (Amazon)
- Aldi
- Costco
- ShopRite
- Target
Notably, H-E-B and Costco , which shared the top spot with Publix last year, dropped by 3 and 4 percentage points each in this year’s survey. Wegmans moved up one spot from last year’s list , and Target lost two points, landing it in last place. The rest of the stores on the list remained steady year over year.
Let's see if Trader Joe’s and Publix can maintain their performance into next year and how Costco’s improving reputation along with its escalating grocery prices might influence future outcomes. At minimum, Publix can rely on getting at least one Pub Sub order from me in 2025.
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Sources:
- ACSI Online Retail Customer Satisfaction Drops as More Than Two-Thirds of Brands Experience Decreases, According to ACSI Data for 2024–2025
- Trader Joe’s Winners of the 16th Yearly Customer Choice Awards
- ACSI More Than 60% of Retailers Experience Boosts in Customer Satisfaction, According to ASCI Data for 2023-2024; Costco, H-E-B, and Publix Are at the Forefront.
- Business Insider “I visited Publix for some shopping and understood why people from the South adore it.”
- CNBC “From talkative staff members to $5 wines: How Trader Joe’s transforms shoppers into devoted fans”
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