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Best supermarkets in America: 2026 national ranking
ACSI’s 2026 supermarket table includes 19 major companies and a group of smaller stores labeled “All Others.” The leading scores are:
| Rank | Supermarket | ACSI score (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trader Joe’s | 86 |
| 2 | Publix | 84 |
| 3 | H-E-B | 83 |
| 4 | Sam’s Club | 82 |
| Tied | Aldi | 81 |
| Tied | Costco | 81 |
| Tied | Whole Foods | 81 |
The scores are on a 0–100 scale. Aldi, Costco, and Whole Foods are tied at 81; their order in the table should not be read as a meaningful distinction. ACSI says it has tracked supermarket satisfaction since 1994 and updates the benchmark annually. ACSI’s 2026 results and release provide the full table and study details.
How the scores changed from 2025
The overall supermarket category score fell one point, from 79 in 2025 to 78 in 2026. Among the leading chains, Trader Joe’s rose two points to 86, Publix held at 84, and H-E-B gained one point to 83. These are year-over-year changes in ACSI satisfaction scores, not price changes.
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Notable movements elsewhere in the table include Save A Lot’s four-point gain to 78—the largest increase—and Wegmans’ six-point decline to 78, the largest drop. Hy-Vee fell three points to 76, while Albertsons Companies fell three to 74. ACSI’s supermarket industry page provides additional benchmark context.
Regional leaders differ
The national ranking does not identify one best choice for every part of the country. In the regional results, the leaders were:
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| Region | Leading chain or chains | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast | Aldi, ShopRite, and Walmart (tie) | 79 |
| Midwest | Aldi | 82 |
| South | Sam’s Club | 84 |
| West | Trader Joe’s | 87 |
These are ACSI regional satisfaction results, not a guarantee that a particular location will suit a shopper. Some chains are not available in every market, and store-level experience can vary. The regional figures are reported in ACSI’s 2026 release.
What the satisfaction score does—and does not—tell you
ACSI’s results capture customers’ reported satisfaction. They do not establish which supermarket is cheapest, has the best food quality, stocks every preferred item, or is easiest to reach. For a household budget, the most useful comparison is often a representative basket of the items you actually buy, checked at nearby stores. Include transportation, membership costs if applicable, and delivery or pickup fees when they affect what you spend.
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The study also reports experience measures that help explain what shoppers may value beyond price. Convenience of store hours, ease of pickup, and mobile-app reliability each scored 85; merchandise availability scored 82; and checkout speed scored 79. These are ACSI experience benchmarks, not individual chain scores in the national table, so they should not be used to claim that one named supermarket beats another on a particular feature.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How ACSI gathered the results
The 2026 Retail and Consumer Shipping Study is based on 31,293 completed surveys. ACSI says customers were selected at random and contacted by email from January through December 2025. The supermarket results combine respondents’ ratings into a 0–100 customer-satisfaction score; they are not an audited price comparison or a controlled test of food quality.
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ACSI Director of Research Emeritus Forrest Morgeson described shoppers as “cost-conscious” and said many are “spending differently.” That comment is broader context about retail behavior, not a finding that the highest-scoring supermarket is the cheapest.
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How to choose a supermarket for your budget
- Check local availability. Identify stores you can realistically reach; a national or regional leader is not useful if it has no nearby location.
- Compare your regular basket. Price the same frequently purchased items at two or three nearby stores, accounting for package sizes and any applicable membership or fulfillment fees.
- Check the experience factors that affect your routine. Consider store hours, checkout time, whether your usual products are in stock, and the reliability of pickup or the mobile app if you use those services.
- Choose based on your priorities. Use the ACSI scores as a satisfaction signal, then weigh them against your own prices, preferred products, travel time, and shopping method.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
