WASHINGTON — Consumer Reports readers ranked Wegmans and Trader Joe’s the top grocery stores for service, price satisfaction, cleanliness and perishables.
Consumer Reports says this is the fourth straight survey where Wegmans, Trader Joe’s and Publix have been at the top of the rankings, while Walmart, Pathmark (Northeast) and Shaw’s have been near the bottom. Consumer Reports conducted the surveys in 2005, 2008, 2011 and 2014.
On a 100-point scale, Wegmans scored 88 and Trader Joe’s scored 87.
Consumer Reports says 27,208 readers told the magazine about 48,076 supermarket experiences:
In its Supermarket Buying Guide article, Consumer Reports writes the following:
“Among the top stores were national grocers Costco (the no-frills warehouse club that offers great deals if you’re willing to buy in bulk), Trader Joe’s (a limited-assortment store that specializes in store brands and unusual goods), and Whole Foods (focusing on perishables, organics, and service), as well as regional players such as Wegmans (East), Publix (South), and survey newcomer Sprouts Farmers Markets (in eight Western states), which showcases fresh and whole-grain food.”
Shoppers did have gripes, with the biggest being not enough open checkouts
Here are the top grocery shopping complaints:
- Not enough open checkouts;
- Congested or cluttered aisles;
- Out-of-stock advertised specials;
- Inept bagging;
- Missing prices;
- Scanner overcharges.
While shoppers praised Wal-Mart’s low prices, Consumer Reports says Walmart Supercenters try customers’ patience the most, with 80 percent having at least one complaint.
The biggest complaints about the nation’s largest grocer included “lack of open checkouts, out-of-stock regular items, indifferent employees, spotty pricing and confusing store layout,” Consumer Reports says.
Walmart Supercenter scored 67 on the 100-point scale.
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