The weekly grocery run matters more than ever. Prices are up, patience is thin, and we all want to walk out of a store feeling like we got our money’s worth. So which chains are actually delivering?
The American Customer Satisfaction Index — which has been tracking how Americans feel about the businesses they shop at since 1994 — released its 2026 grocery rankings. About 31,000 randomly selected shoppers were surveyed throughout 2025 and asked to rate their recent experiences on a scale from zero to 100.
The results are worth a look, especially if you are wondering whether your go-to store deserves your loyalty.
Trader Joe’s Takes the Top Spot
For the first time, Trader Joe’s landed at number one. The nautical-themed chain scored an 86, a 2% bump from last year, nudging past Publix for the first time ever. Last year the two stores tied.
What sets Trader Joe’s apart? The survey points to its large selection of private-label products, a constantly rotating lineup of seasonal items, and a wide variety of premade meals. It is a national chain, but it manages to feel like a neighborhood shop — and shoppers notice.
The Full Top Seven
Publix held steady at 84, the same score it earned last year. It remains one of the strongest performers in the country, beloved for accessible prices and fan favorites like the Pub Sub.
H-E-B came in at 83, rising 1%, by keeping its shelves stocked with what its regional customers actually cook. Sam’s Club followed at 82, drawing shoppers who buy in bulk to stretch their grocery budgets.
Aldi, Costco, and Whole Foods all tied at 81 — but each earned that score a different way. Aldi keeps prices remarkably low by stripping things down to the basics. Costco offers warehouse savings and that fun treasure-hunt feel. Whole Foods serves customers who want organic or premium ingredients and do not mind paying for them.
| Rank | Supermarket | 2026 Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trader Joe’s | 86 |
| 2 | Publix | 84 |
| 3 | H-E-B | 83 |
| 4 | Sam’s Club | 82 |
| 5 | Aldi | 81 |
| 6 | Costco | 81 |
| 7 | Whole Foods | 81 |
How the Scores Are Determined
The ACSI does not just ask shoppers whether they liked a store. It digs into specifics: the convenience of store hours, quality of meat and produce, speed at checkout, reliability of the store’s mobile app, and how easy it is to find familiar brands. The stores at the top of this list got the details right on every visit.
Overall, American satisfaction with supermarkets dipped 1% this year to an average score of 78. Only three of the 19 chains tracked actually improved their scores compared with last year.
The Stores That Fell Short
Three chains landed below the national average. Walmart came in at 75. Albertsons Companies scored 74, a stretch that included the collapse of its attempted merger with Kroger in December 2024, ongoing court battles in 2025, and public disputes over pricing. Giant Eagle landed at the bottom with 73 — and shoppers who left reviews online widely cited rising prices as the reason.
Biggest Movers This Year
Save A Lot made the biggest leap of any chain, rising 4% to a score of 78. The store spent much of 2025 reopening and updating locations, improving its app, and giving loyalty members more reasons to return.
Wegmans had the steepest fall, dropping 6 points from 83 down to 78. The chain opened several new locations over the past year, and shoppers told the ACSI that the in-store experience felt less polished as a result. When grocery shopping is a weekly routine, customers remember every inconvenience.
Regional Favorites Worth Knowing
The survey also broke down satisfaction by region. In the Northeast, Aldi led the pack, along with ShopRite, Walmart, and BJ’s Wholesale Club. In the Midwest, Aldi topped the list again, followed by Hy-Vee and Meijer. In the South, Sam’s Club came out on top, with Aldi, H-E-B, and Publix close behind. Out West, Trader Joe’s led, with Costco right there with it.
If your favorite store made the top of this list, you already knew it was worth the trip. And if it did not — well, it might be time to explore what is down the street.