By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-15 19:22:24 | Updated at 2025-01-19 15:08:33
3 days ago
A beloved southern grocery chain has been named the best in America for the fourth time.
Texas-based H-E-B has taken the top spot in the annual ranking of the 72 largest grocery stores in the US by customer data science company dunnhumby.
The study, which is in its eighth year, surveys 11,000 consumers across the country to find out their thoughts on the $1 trillion US grocery market.
H-E-B, which sells everyday produce as well as local Texas brands and in-house products, has dominated the ranking due to its value.
The study found that retailers that help customers save money through price, promotions and rewards, are the brands that have stronger, long-term success in the US.
It also found that over the last eight years, as Americans have faced the Covid-19 pandemic and surging inflation, affordability has become increasingly important to consumers.
Market Basket, Costco, WinCo foods and Aldi round up the top five grocery stores in the ranking.
Matt O'Grady, dunnhumby's President of the Americas, said that since the firm released its first ranking eight years ago, 'retailers and shoppers have weathered Covid, supply chain disruptions, agricultural shortages due to climate impacts, and a prolonged period of high food inflation that have reshaped shopping behavior and how Americans perceive the grocery retail environment.
'Clients across the grocery retail sector understand that market success is dependent upon saving shoppers money and implementing innovative pricing technologies to maintain their customer base.'
H-E-B, which sells everyday produce as well as local Texas brands and in-house products, dominated the ranking due to its value
H-E-B, which was founded 120 years ago in Kerrville, Texas, is beloved by locals for its fresh ingredients and distinctive in-house products.
Its freshly made tortillas, zingy guacamole and green sauce made from jalapeño, poblano, and green tomato, are among customers' favorites, according to Southern Living.
There are more than 400 brick-and-mortar locations in The Lone Star State and Mexico.
According to its website, no two H-E-B stores are alike, giving the brand a neighborly, homely feel.
'We offer grocery, bakery, deli/food service, drug store, produce, floral, meat and seafood departments,' the site reads.
'The products sold and the store layouts are tailored to the needs of the customers in each community.'
H-E-B, which was founded 120 years ago in Kerrville, Texas, is beloved by locals for its fresh ingredients and distinctive in-house products
H-E-B topped the ranking for the fourth time in eight years
The study also noted that three of the top four retailers are regional supermarkets, with the remaining 15 retailers in the top 18 including various non-traditional club and discount stores.
Market Basket is based in New England, while WinCo Foods has stores in Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington.
Warehouse club Costco took third place in the ranking, alongside Sam's Club at number eight.
Amazon, the top retailer in 2021 and 2022, fell out of the top three for the first time in eight years, landing in the sixth spot.
Major supermarkets Kroger and Albertson's also suffered ranking declines, while Walmart fell one spot from last year to number 11.
According to the study, the decrease in popularity of Kroger and Albertson's was particularly acute in states where there were ongoing, high-profile court cases regarding their proposed merger, which eventually fell through.
Budget supermarket Lidl, and fan favorite Trader Joe's made significant gains in the ranking, moving up to 17th and eighth places, respectively.
It comes after a surprising rival dethroned Wegman's as the nation's favorite supermarket in a separate study last year.
Great Wall Supermarket, an Asian American supermarket chain which opened its first store in New York City in 2003, took the top spot in an annual ranking by thousands of shoppers.
Costco took third place in the ranking of the 72 largest grocery stores in the US
Fresh food on display at a Great Wall Supermarket store in Virginia
Newsweek partnered with data intelligence platform Statista to survey 7,000 customers on their opinions on retailers spanning 40 industry categories.
Participants were asked to rank the retailer based on prices, the selection of goods, atmosphere, customer service, accessibility and how likely they would be to recommend the store.
Great Wall Supermarket scored an impressive 92.69 out of 100 in the ranking.
On its website, the store says it caters to Asian immigrants, with high-quality products and high-quality service.
The company has over 17 stores across the US, including in New York City, Houston and Los Angeles.
