Trader Joe’s now No. 1 in grocery store satisfaction. Here’s why
There’s a new king of the hill when it comes to America’s favorite grocery store — Trader Joe’s.
The Southern California-based grocer has claimed the top spot in the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) rankings, edging out last year’s winner, Publix. Trader Joe’s scored 86 out of 100, narrowly topping Publix’s 84.
Supermarkets are scored on a 100-point scale.
How the rankings were determined
The ACSI surveyed roughly 30,000 shoppers between January and December 2025. Respondents rated grocery chains across a wide range of categories, including:
- Store hours and location convenience.
- Store layout and cleanliness.
- Quality and freshness of meat and produce.
- Availability and variety of merchandise.
- Speed of checkout and pickup orders.
- Accuracy of order fulfillment.
- Courtesy and helpfulness of staff.
- Website and mobile app satisfaction.
- Pharmacy services and call center support.
ACSI told Supermarket News that Trader Joe’s rise to the top is particularly notable given the challenges of national expansion, which can strain consistency and operations.
The rest of the top five
Rounding out the top five grocery chains in customer satisfaction:
- H-E-B (83).
- Sam’s Club (82).
- Aldi (81).
Regionally, Trader Joe’s ranked highest in the West. Aldi led in the Northeast and Midwest, while Sam’s Club topped in the South.
Trader Joe’s recipe for success
Trader Joe’s now operates more than 600 stores in 43 states, and its formula remains intentionally simple: limited selection, private-label products, and everyday low prices.
The company avoids sales, coupons, and loyalty programs. Instead, it buys directly from suppliers to keep costs down and passes those savings on to customers – a strategy that appears to be resonating as shoppers manage tighter budgets amid lingering inflation concerns.
Trader Joe’s says its goal is for customers to leave feeling they got the best possible deal, every time.
How big-box stores compare
Among big-box retailers, Costco ranked sixth with a score of 81. Target landed in the top 10 at 80. Walmart ranked 17th with a score of 75, unchanged from last year.
Walmart hits a milestone
Despite its lower satisfaction ranking, Walmart reached a major milestone this week.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Walmart’s market value surpassed $1 trillion, making it the first retailer ever to do so. Shares closed Tuesday at $127.71, pushing the company into the same valuation tier as tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, Meta and Nvidia.
The Journal reports Walmart has benefitted from shoppers seeking lower prices, broader selection, and faster home delivery — helping drive recent sales growth.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
