With the prices for groceries and household goods trending upward, the service we receive at our local supermarkets is as important as ever.
Led by specialty retailers as well as some big-box stores, customer satisfaction with supermarkets is stable for the second consecutive year, according to a recent study from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI).
On a 100-point scale, the average overall score of 76 for supermarket customer satisfaction remains unchanged from a year ago, according to the ACSI’s Retail and Consumer Shipping Study 2022-2023.
The study is based on email interviews with 35,685 customers who were contacted between January and December 2022 and asked to evaluate their recent experiences with companies.
What Is the #1 Supermarket in America?
With an 84/100 score, Trader Joe’s is in the top spot in this year’s study for the third consecutive year.
Here are some key findings from the report:
- Several industry metrics — including ease of pickup process, store cleanliness and reliability of their mobile apps — all saw increased scores from last year.
- With a 4% jump in their scores, Whole Foods and Albertsons both had the largest improvement on the list compared to the previous year.
- Walmart, which gained 1% over last year’s rankings, comes in dead last with a score of 71.
Let’s look at the top U.S. supermarkets for customer satisfaction according to the ACSI report:
| Company | 2023 ACSI Score | % Change From Previous Year |
|---|---|---|
| Trader Joe’s | 84 | -1 |
| Costco | 82 | 1 |
| Publix | 82 | 2 |
| H-E-B | 81 | -1 |
| Aldi | 80 | -1 |
| Wegmans | 80 | -1 |
| BJ's Wholesale Club | 79 | 1 |
| Sam’s Club (Walmart) | 79 | 0 |
| Target | 79 | 3 |
| Whole Foods (Amazon) | 79 | 4 |
| Average of All Stores in Survey | 76 | 0.0% |
Read ACSI’s Retail and Consumer Shipping Study 2022-2023.
How To Save Money at the Supermarket
Food prices are expected to continue to increase, according to the latest market summary from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. So how can you save?
Compare Prices
Don’t just go to your local supermarket and pick up the first item you need. Take a moment to comparison shop either before you get to the store or online. Clark always wants you to compare prices between stores to find the best deal.
Here are some grocery apps that can save you money.
Resist Brand Loyalty
When it comes to brands, be flexible. Brand loyalty can hurt your wallet.
Shop store brands, which are typically cheaper than the name brands.
For example, one gallon of Borden Vitamin D milk at my local Walmart costs $5.58. That same quantity under the store’s Great Value brand costs $3.52 (prices good as of March 6, 2023). Check out these links to compare your Walmart’s current pricing.
Shop With a Cash Back Credit Card
One of the easiest ways to save money while grocery shopping is to make your purchases with a cash back credit card.
One example of such a card is the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, which lets you earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). The cash back is earned in statement credit. Terms apply.
Read our guide on the best cash back credit cards.
To see the rates and fees for the American Express cards featured, please visit the following links: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: See Rates and Fees
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