The 14 Best Supermarkets in America in 2014
Reader score: 88
Location: N.Y., N.J., Pa., Md., Mass., and Va.
Year founded: 1916
Wegmans received the highest possible ranking on perishables, service, and cleanliness, and the second-highest ranking for prices. Wegmans has been recognized not only for taking care of its customers, but also for taking care of its employees: The chain ranked fifth on Fortune’s list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For.
Flickr/Diana Beideman
Reader score: 87
Location: Nationwide
Year founded: 1967
This supermarket chain features a limited assortment of goods and specializes in store brands and unusual goods and has gained a rabid fan base. Its Hawaiian shirt-clad workers cater primarily to gourmands and high-end shoppers.
Flickr/Comp4me
Reader score: 85
Location: Fla., Ala., Ga., N.C., S.C., and Tenn.
Year founded: 1930
The largest employee-owned supermarket in the United States, Publix is also the most profitable. The chain was the only grocer to appear on J.D. Power’s list of 2014 Customer Champions, which recognizes outstanding customer service.
Flickr/Walkboss
Reader score: 84
Location: Nationwide
Year founded: 1983
The warehouse chain received the top score in price and perishables, an above-average score for cleanliness, and a neutral score for customer service. Of course, Costco’s model minimizes service and quick cashiers in exchange for the deals it can offer customers on a daily basis.
REUTERS/Mike Blake
Reader score: 84
Location: Ariz., Calif., Colo., Nev., N.M., Okla., Texas, Utah, Kans.
Year founded: 2001
A newcomer to the list this year, the chain specializes in fresh and whole-grain foods. With more than 170 stores and 1,400 team members, the chain has announced plans to go public in April 2014.
REUTERS/Jonathan Alcorn
Reader score: 83
Location: New Hampshire, Mass., Maine
Year founded: 1962
This New England-based family-owned discount grocer competes hard for the price-conscious shopper. In January it announced a 4 percent year-long discount for customers.
Groceteria
Reader score: 83
Location: Calif. and Nev.
Year founded: 1934
This family-owned chain received the top score on cleanliness and perishables, an above-average score on service, and a below-average score on price satisfaction. Current CEO Michael Teel is the grandson of the Raley’s founder; he ran the company from 1996 to 2002 and returned to the helm in 2010 in an effort to keep the company private.
Groceteria
Reader score: 83
Location: Iowa, Neb., Ill., Minn.
Year founded: 1983
This Midwest chain received top scores in service and price satisfaction and above-average scores on cleanliness and perishables. Earlier this year, the company named a new CEO: Reynolds Cramer, who started out as a stock boy on the supermarket floor at age 16.
Onpaperwings
Reader score: 83
Location: California
Year founded: 1936
Stater Bros. is the largest privately owned supermarket chain in Southern California, with more than 18,000 employees and nearly $4 billion in annual revenue. The store received the highest rating in price satisfaction, and an above-average rating on service, cleanliness, and perishables.
Flickr/Jon Leverett
Reader score: 81
Location: Ariz., Calif., Id., Nev., Ore., Utah, Wash.
Year founded: 1967
This employee-owned chain has garnered a huge reputation within the supermarket industry for its rock-bottom prices, which often even undercut the deals offered by Wal-Mart. However, unlike Wal-Mart, which is often criticized for its treatment of employees, Win-Co is an employee-owned chain, and offers most staffers, including part-time employees, pension benefits and a health plan.
Wikimedia Commons
Reader score: 81
Location: nationwide
Year founded: 1913
Owned by the same German company that owns Trader Joe’s, Aldi has been expanding rapidly, adding more than 80 new stores annually in recent years. The store’s fans love the low prices so much that they’re willing to pay a quarter to use a cart in the store.
Flickr/Brandon King
Reader score: 81
Location: Ill., Iowa, Mo., Kans.., Neb., S.D., Minn., Wisc.
Year founded: 1930
At this supermarket, customers never have to shop hungry: They can sit down to a full meal before stocking up their carts. The Midwestern chain has announced plans to remodel 75 of its stores in the next three years to feature a full-service restaurant and bar.
Wikimedia Commons
Reader score: 81
Location: N.C., S.C., Va., Ga., Tenn., Fla., Md., Del., and D.C.
Year founded: 1939
In January, supermarket giant Kroger Co. finalized its purchase of this southeastern chain for $2.5 billion. The combined company will operate more than 2,600 stores and employ more than 368,000 workers.
Wikimedia Commons
Reader score: 81
Location: Texas, northern Mexico
Year founded: 1905
H-E-B appeals to the Texas pride of its customers, with private labels often referencing the Lone Star State and “Hill Country Fare.” The chain received above-average rankings on all categories on the survey.
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