This CA Grocery Chain Ranked America's Favorite

MONROVIA, CA — Trader Joe’s was ranked shoppers’ supermarket of choice in a recent study.

The Monrovia-based grocery chain, known for its low prices and seasonal items, received the highest score — 86 — in the American Customer Satisfaction Index Retail and Consumer Shipping Study 2026, up 2 percent from its score in 2025.

“Given the retailer’s continued national expansion efforts, which can often strain operations and jeopardize consistency, Trader Joe’s manages to maintain its hallmark customer experience, reinforcing its strong brand loyalty even amid growth,” according to a news release announcing the study results.

Florida-headquartered Publix, which tied with Trader Joe’s for the top spot in 2025, was consumers’ second-favorite supermarket with a score of 84, followed by Texas-based H-E-B at 83. The lowest-scored supermarket was Pennsylvania-based Giant Eagle at 73.

The study, which also looked at other retail categories — including general merchandise, specialty retailers and online retailers — was based on more than 31,000 completed surveys from customers chosen at random and contacted via email in 2025.

“Behind the topline results, retailers are contending with a more disciplined, value-focused shopper, particularly Generation Z customers,” the news release said. “Changing purchase patterns, tighter gaps between top and bottom performers, and growing pressure on price and experience are reshaping how brands compete across the sector.”