For years, Publix wore the crown as America’s most loved supermarket.
Not anymore. After hearing from tens of thousands of shoppers nationwide, a new winner has stepped into the spotlight — and it’s one that thrives on quirky packaging, surprise snacks, and a fiercely loyal fan base.
Trader Joe’s has officially taken the top spot.
How Trader Joe’s Won Over Shoppers
Trader Joe’s didn’t stumble into first place by accident.
The chain has built its reputation around a shopping experience that feels more like a treasure hunt than a chore.
Customers rave about its globally inspired snacks, freezer-friendly meals, rotating seasonal finds, and prices that don’t feel punishing at checkout.
Friendly, upbeat staff and a steady stream of new product launches keep shoppers coming back — and talking.
That mix of value and personality pushed Trader Joe’s to an impressive score of 86 in the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index survey.
Publix Slips, But Loyalty Runs Deep
Publix may have dropped to second place, but its reputation remains strong, especially across the Southeast.
Known for spotless stores, famously polite employees, and a deli and bakery that many shoppers swear by, the employee-owned chain earned a solid 84 points.
Last year, Publix and Trader Joe’s were tied at the top.
This year, Publix fell just two points short — a narrow gap that shows how competitive the grocery landscape has become.
Texas Favorite H-E-B Continues to Climb
Coming in third is Texas-based H-E-B, scoring 83 points.
It was the only grocer in the top 10 to improve year over year, nudging up from 82.
The chain’s momentum doesn’t stop there.
H-E-B also recently claimed the top spot in grocery data firm Dunnhumby’s annual ranking of the nation’s largest grocery retailers — marking its fifth consecutive win.
For Texans, that validation likely comes as no surprise.
Warehouse Clubs and Discount Chains Hold Their Ground
Sam’s Club followed with a score of 82, while Whole Foods, Aldi, and Costco each landed at 81.
These brands continue to attract shoppers looking for bulk savings, specialty items, or low-cost essentials — even as consumer habits shift.
One of the biggest success stories this year belongs to Save A Lot, which jumped from 75 to 78.
The rise underscores a growing appetite for no-frills grocery options as families stretch their budgets further.
Wegmans Takes a Noticeable Hit
Not every chain had a good year. Wegmans experienced the steepest drop, sliding from 83 down to 78.
According to ACSI data, customer satisfaction dipped across several in-store experience factors, including layout, staff courtesy, and checkout efficiency — areas that matter more than ever to time-strapped shoppers.
What Shoppers Were Asked to Judge
The rankings are based on a year-long survey that wrapped up in December, with customers scoring their in-store experiences on a 0-to-100 scale.
Shoppers weighed in on everything from checkout speed and store hours to produce freshness, meat quality, cleanliness, and overall layout.
In total, 19 grocery chains were evaluated, painting a broad picture of how Americans feel about where they shop.
Price Wars Are Reshaping the Grocery Industry
Behind the rankings is a bigger story: grocery competition is heating up fast.
Discount retailers are gaining ground as inflation and rising living costs force households to rethink where — and how — they spend.
Aldi stands out in this shift. The German-born chain added 225 new U.S. locations last year and plans to open another 180 in 2026, expanding aggressively while many retailers are closing stores.
When Price Beats Loyalty
For many shoppers, especially in places like Florida, long-standing brand loyalty is giving way to hard math.
Some customers are skipping Publix runs altogether and heading to Walmart, where everyday staples come with significantly lower price tags.
One recent price comparison made the gap impossible to ignore: a six-pack of Bounty paper towels priced at $24.99 at Publix rang up at just $6.94 at Walmart.
For families watching every dollar, choices like that are becoming easier — even if it means leaving a favorite store behind.
What Comes Next for America’s Grocers
As shoppers tighten budgets and demand more value, the battle for grocery loyalty is far from over.
Trader Joe’s may be on top for now, but with discount chains expanding and consumer expectations evolving, the race is only getting more intense.
