The Best Grocery Store in America, According to Customer Ratings

Grocery shopping has become a test of patience and priorities, and shoppers are closely watching which stores pass muster. New findings from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) reveal where Americans feel best about their grocery runs — and for the first time, cult-favorite grocer Trader Joe’s has taken the top spot, surging ahead after tying with Southern chain Publix last year.

The ACSI has tracked Americans’ feelings about the companies they shop at since 1994, covering more than 400 brands across 40 industries. This year’s grocery report surveyed roughly 31,000 randomly selected shoppers throughout 2025 and asked them to rate their recent experiences at major chains on a scale from zero to 100.

Overall, many chains faced challenges compared with last year, with their ratings either staying the same or slipping, but the few that pulled ahead set themselves apart by getting the details right on every visit.

How the ACSI measures grocery store satisfaction

The index is one of the longest-running consumer benchmarks in the country, and its methodology hasn’t changed significantly since launch, so year-over-year comparisons carry real meaning. American satisfaction with supermarkets dipped 1% this year to an average score of 78, and only three of the 19 chains tracked improved their scores compared with 2025.

To provide individual scores for each chain, the ACSI asks shoppers for feedback on a variety of benchmarks, including the convenience of store hours, the reliability of a store’s mobile app, the ability to identify brands, the quality of meat and produce, and the speed of the checkout process, to name just a few factors. The supermarkets that came out on top delivered on these crucial components of the customer experience.

Which grocery stores do Americans love the most?

This year’s top grocery store, according to the ACSI, is Trader Joe’s, followed by Publix, H-E-B, and Sam’s Club, with a three-way tie among Aldi, Costco, and Whole Foods. Based on Publix and H-E-B’s scores, regional chains may have a leg up on customer loyalty, but Trader Joe’s success demonstrates that a national operation can still compete if it pays careful attention to what customers want.

The nautical-themed grocer earned the highest score in the report, 86, increasing its rating by 2% from last year and edging past Publix for the first time. Publix remained at 84, the same rating it received in 2025, and is still one of the strongest performers in the country. While both the Southern supermarket and Trader Joe’s are known for accessible prices and fan-favorite items like the Pub Sub or TJ’s many signature snacks, the national chain distinguishes itself with its sheer number of private-label items, frequent rotation of seasonal products, and array of premade meals.