New Study: The #1 Supermarket for Customer Satisfaction

Good customer service can be elusive in this high-tech world of scan-it-yourself groceries and more. But are people having a good experience at the supermarket these days?

A recent study from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) indicates that consumers are high on the supermarket industry overall as they perceive better value for their hard-earned money.

On a 100-point scale, the average overall score of 79 for supermarket customer satisfaction represents a 4% change from a year ago, according to the ACSI’s Retail and Consumer Shipping Study 2023-2024.

The study is based on email interviews with 40,264 customers who were contacted between January and December 2023 and asked to evaluate their recent experiences with companies.

What Is the #1 Supermarket in America?

Several industry metrics — including convenience of store hours, accuracy of order fulfillment and availability of merchandise — all saw increased scores from last year.

Here are some key findings from the report:

• With an 85/100 score, Costco, H-E-B, and Publix are in a three-way tie for the top spot this year.
• Trader Joe’s, which had a three-year run at #1, falls to second place with a score of 84.
• At the other end of the spectrum, with a score of 74, Walmart comes in dead last for the second consecutive year.

Let’s look at the top U.S. supermarkets for customer satisfaction according to the ACSI report:

Read ACSI’s Retail and Consumer Shipping Study 2023-2024.

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 money on groceries?

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.

Want to streamline your choices? Read our guide on the best grocery apps.

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 $4.98. That same quantity under the store’s Great Value brand costs $2.68 (prices good as of March 20, 2024). 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.