Does your favorite retailer check all the boxes when it comes to things like customer service, quality products, affordable pricing and more?
A recent report from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) shows which stores are getting it right with their customers.
ACSI’s Retail and Consumer Shipping Study 2023-2024 ranks what it calls “general merchandise retailers,” which includes traditional department stores and big discount stores that sell a variety of items.
The report ranks stores according to how they score on a 100-point scale on several customer satisfaction benchmarks, including store location, staff helpfulness, merchandise availability and more.
What Is the #1 Department Store for Customer Satisfaction?
Macy’s is #1 among department stores and discounters, climbing 4% in the latest rankings with a score of 82, the highest in the study.
Also scoring an 82 is Costco, which tops the wholesale club category. The retailer is a favorite of money expert Clark Howard, who raves about the store’s Kirkland Signature brand.
Although it costs to join Costco’s warehouse club, there are some ways you can shop there without becoming a member.
Let’s take a look at the top department and discount stores, which ACSI calls “general merchandise retailers.”
Here Are the Top Department and Discount Stores According to Customers
| Retailer | 2024 Score | Change from Previous Study |
|---|---|---|
| Department Stores | ||
| Macy's | 82 | 4% |
| Belk | 79 | 5% |
| Kohl's | 79 | 0% |
| JCPenney | 77 | 1% |
| Dillard's | 74 | -1% |
| Discount Stores | ||
| TJX (Marshalls, TJ Maxx) | 79 | 3% |
| Big Lots | 78 | 7% |
| Burlington | 76 | 3% |
| Dollar Tree | 74 | 4% |
| Dollar General | 72 | 3% |
| Hypermarkets | ||
| Target | 81 | 4% |
| Meijer | 76 | 1% |
| Fred Meyer (Kroger) | 75 | 3% |
| Walmart | 73 | 4% |
| Warehouse Clubs | ||
| Costco | 82 | 0% |
| Sam’s Club (Walmart) | 81 | 0% |
| BJ’s Wholesale Club | 80 | 0% |
ACSI says its study is based on email interviews with 40,264 customers who were contacted between January to December 2023, and asked to evaluate their recent experiences with retailers.
Check out the complete retail study from ACSI.
How To Save Money at Retail Stores
Here are three ways you can save money at retailers.
Comparison Shop
Clark always wants you to compare prices between stores to find the best deal. In addition to comparing respective retailers, take a look at store brands. They’re usually cheaper than name-brand items.
“With all the flurry of sales, you’ve got to know what are the real ones and what are the imitators and the only way to do that is to really comparison shop,” Clark says.
Buy at the Right Time
Many retailers have their biggest sales during certain times of the year. If you can, time your shopping to coincide with some of the biggest retail holidays such as:
- Black Friday
- Cyber Monday
- Amazon Prime Day
Use Discount Shopping Apps
You can save big money by using your smartphone when you shop. Here are some apps that members of Team Clark have used to buy items for less:
Final Thoughts
No matter whether you shop at a department store or a smaller retailer, we at Clark.com want you to do all you can to find the best price possible or at least get cash back for your purchase.
Using the sound advice found in our guide on the best cash back cards can come in handy when you’re ready to shop.
Wondering what’s on sale right now? Find the latest deals at ClarkDeals.com.
