1. Stop & Shop
“Great Food. Low Prices. Friendly Service”—this is their personal motto, and if you’ve never been here, you might be tricked into actually believing it. However, this is not the case for Stop & Shop. A lot of people, including their former customers, faced a lot of issues here and simply stopped shopping there. There were various complaints about their meat, the fact that most of their stores aren’t that clean and well sanitized, and their prices are not that low either.
2. Lucky
If you don’t like bad experiences at a grocery store, then we suggest “don’t try your luck” at this one. Despite not being the worst, this Golden State business was far from the finest due to its lengthy checkout lines, subpar vegetables, and subpar meat. Lucky runs the risk of losing clients to chains with higher ratings if they can’t get their stuff together.
What do you think about this supermarket? Is it that awful? Tell us in the comments section below.
80 thoughts on “These Are The 7 Most HATED Grocery Stores! Do You Agree?”
I’m a Kroger shopper no Walmart for me however I like Instacart they deliver for a small fee shop at Kroger for you.
Walmart is at the top of my hated list BECAUSE you have to first a park near enough that you don’t need a computer bus for and then just hope and pray there is a shopping cart! Then you have to constantly dodge or get run over by employees filling orders for people that didn’t want to be there either!! NOW as you shop you notice that the shelves are trashed and the products you wanted are not there because Walmart is PUSHING their store brand on you. Then you have to check yourself out at a counter with no dang bags! What is there to like since I still have to visit two more stores to complete my list??
Yes yes yes, about getting run over by the insta carts. They look at you like you have a 3rd eye if you stop instead of moving out of their way!
HY VEE is the worst ever.
We had Pick & Save in my town in southern Wisconsin and I really liked it. I didn’t do all my shopping there because prices were somewhat higher but they had good prices on a lot of items. The produce and meat was great quality and they had a wonderful deli and bakery. It was also one of the cleanest grocery stores in my town.
Walmart associates are timed for everything that they do on the floor. It isn’t that they don’t want to help people, but they also have to get their jobs done in the allotted time. If you want someone to help you, find a manager, they have plenty of those, lol.
WALMART Sparkman Dr. Huntsville, Al is Our go to when we need Anything. It has been Re-made over
top to bottom and We feel it is a store we are Proud to shop at. J. and C. Melton
I only buy pre-packaged goods at Walmart. I NEVER EVER buy meat or produce at Walmart. I save that for our local grocery stores in the Albany, New York area. I had a bad experience with meat and produce once at Walmart and vowed I would never buy those items again there. I do have to say that when I returned a rotten watermelon to Walmart they gave me double my money back.
I like Walmart buy your meat at some other store. Their prices are awesome
I agree, I won’t buy meat or fresh vegetables at Walmart! But all the rest is a great deal!
I home delivery shop at Safeway and I find that they are often out of stock on items that I want and they substitute them with similar items of a much higher price.
Agree but you have an option to select the substitute or don’t substitute from your shopping cart before you place the order. I highly encourage you do this to avoid the higher price substitute (especially when they have ‘free’ items)
I used to shop at a local Walmart neighborhood market because the prices were great, but I never bought meat from them. It always looked a little “shady”.
I love Safeway. I’ve been going there since I was a child. I’m now 74 years old. They’ve always been clean, great produce and superior meat. I come from Northern California to Northern Idaho and now Denver. They continue to be great.
I love Ralph’s- it’s always clean and great sales and very fresh produce/meats/products!!! I hate Target-it’s an overpriced Wal Mart!!! However, I love Super Wal Mart- best of both worlds but not liking the “new” Wal Marts that have hardly any fresh vegetables and limited cold foods that I am seeing pop up more… I would rather see a Neighborhood Wal Mart than these “new” ones. If You want a to buy in bulk without having to pay for a membership there is always Smart and Final and I love Von’s/Albertson’s!!! Awesome places especially with their rewards and sales-between their sale price of $1.47/lb for a turkey and my $7.00 rewards I bought my 14.59/lb Turkey for $14.37 tax included-WOW THANK YOU JESUS AND THANK YOU VON’S!!!
I cross state lines to buy groceries where a state taxes grocery, clothing, or necessities. PA has no sales tax on groceries, shoes or clothing. MD taxes clothing and shoes, and WV taxes everything including groceries and non prescription medicine.
In the south, I like Winn-Dixie. Been around for a long time. I will NOT buy Ben’s rice products but I will buy UNCLE BEN’s rice products if I can find them. I will NOT buy Pearl Milling pancake products but I will buy AUNT JEMIMA pancake products if I can find them. These “woke” companies can go broke as far as I am concerned.
Glad to see Stop & Shop on the top of the list… they just refurbished a bunch of their stores in Massachusetts, and their prices skyrocketed. I won’t go there anymore.
I don’t know anything about any of the other stores mentioned, but I’ve never had a problem with Walmart. Maybe that’s because I’m not expecting worned out workers making minimum wage to greet me with bright smiling faces when I shop there. As long as they direct me to what I need, I’m fine. And they’ve done that very well no matter which one I go to.
It is not surprising Stop & Shop made the top of the list. They have the highest prices in the area and the charge .10 cents per paper bag.
I’ve never been to any of these grocery stores, but Walmart. I absolutely hate going there. Now they are turning most Walmarts to “Self Checkout”. What ever happened to the cashiers? The Walmart I go to here in Orange, CA is the worst. The grocery dept is the size of a postage stamp, they are always out of stock on normal everyday food items. I do not go there anymore unless it’s an emergency
Biggest issue I have with Ralphs in Southern California is Management. Both for the Store and Pharmacy. Issues: Price posted on Bacon 4.25 went to register, charged 9.25 stated thats not what is stated. Manager went to the bacon area, changed the price while I stood and watched then said, it’s 9.25. I said take it off my bill I don’t want it. She said you already bought it. I said take off. After much going back and forth, she finally did. Another time, I bought a pre-paid visa card for 100 dollars, then decided to change that by buying 2 50 dollar prepaid visa cards, using the100 dollar visa card and was fine with paying the extra fees. However, the manager said Ralphs doesn’t take that card. Yes the card I just purchased at Ralphs. I now stay away from all Ralphs stores if at all possible. Worst customer service of any store I have ever experienced.
Walmart Market – Check the expiration dates on everything you buy as they keep out of date product on the shelves. Sometimes the items are a month or more out of date. If it has not date don’t buy, saw a worker, wiping something off a jar of Mircle Whip after I brought this to the employees attention. Also the Steaks, hamburger etc. experience has not been great. Buy it, eat the same day or don’t buy. Watch the prices as well especially on Bacon, Ham etc. as sometimes, the prices posted are different from what is actually scanned at the register(higher).
Whole Foods lives up to its reputation as Whole Paycheck.
I love Michigans based Meijer! Their stores are from Michigan down to the bottom of Kentucky! Similar to Walmart as far as carrying everything ! But the stores are bright and orderly and very clean! My number one store!
I agree on Safeway except I find their stores dirty and in Colorado I have seen NUMEROUS people walk out with carts full of groceries and NEVER get stopped at the 80th and Wadsworth storw in Arvada, CO. Even their employees state they have been robbed numerous times and are upset people walk out with groceries. Their prices continue to increase. Either get a store manager that will manage this store properly or close it!
Lucky I have NEVER in my twenty years of going there had an issue! They are nice, have tried to keep their prices low so I disagree.
Walmart is consistent on poor prices on food prices, especially meat and quality. considering how much this company and family make there shouldn’t be an issue. As long as you have the garbage clientele they seem to also draw what would you expect? Just search the People of Walmart and YouTube on police video of crimes at Walmart. What a s–tshow!
Safeway (soon to be Kroger) in Alaska is so outrages in their prices about 3 times higher than Walmart in most things. Fred’s very expensive.
While no store is perfect, I have a hard time believing all that about Walmart. Hog wash I say!! I normally shop at Aldi for many reasons. It’s closer, the staff is always willing to help and they work their butts off, selection is good and they usually have what I need. So if you’re disgruntled with the 7 stores listed go and try Aldi. Maybe I’m just fortunate and live by a good Aldi store, in Dubois, Pa.
I shop regularly at Walmart, but I don’t buy meat there, so I agree with that part!
To be perfectly Truthful and Honest, if and when your neighborhood Walmart Store should ever Close for what ever reason your entire Neighborhood Community will Regret It! I mean Regret It! You will Freak Out. So say what you will but remember Neighborhood Walmart Community Stores Carry mostly everything you need and want most likely a little Cheaper than your Neighborhood Grocery Stores. Yes every thing have gone up in price wide I put all my Blame on The Socialist Marxist Communist Woke Anti-American DemoRat Regime. Biden & Harris. So do yourself a Favor as a Libera Re-Elect Harris so She can continue to Destroy Americas Economy once and for all and Flood our once Great Nation with Millions of ILLEGALS to Create more Crime in your Neighborhoods and Communities. Liberals continue to Vote Strictly to Keep their Political Party in Power even if they know the DemoRat Politiicans have Screwed the American Citizen Population. Biden and Harris gave everything to the ILLEGALS, NOTHING to Americas Veterans, Homeless, American Citizens and Nothing to all Americas Flood Victims by Hurricane Helene all Denied Refused by your DemoRat Regime So keep Screwing the Nation by Electing the Anti-American DemoRat Regime.
I live in a rural part of Michigan and only Walmart has a presence anywhere near us. Your other stores you listed are unknown to me.
Regarding Walmart: their store in West Branch, Michigan is clean, well stocked most of the time, and most of the staff are friendly, courteous, and willing to help you find what you’re looking for.
Their meats and fish are good and fresh. Their produce is usually very good too.
Their prices are in line with the local competition, I’m always spending a lot more this year on food than i have in the past, but I’d say the same about any grocery store out here. There’s only 2 other places yo buy groceries, so our opportunities are limited. Larger cities with more to offer are all more than an hour further away. I don’t enjoy spending all day driving to get my shopping done.
I would add Kroger to the list, ever since they purchased Fred Meyer Stores, the prices have gone up, the service has gone down. Fred G. Meyers would roll over in his grave if he knew how they have ruined his stores.
Freddie’s was one of the best one stop shop stores in the NW, prices were competitively everyday and weekly specials no one could/would match.
I don’t care for Walmart I don’t care for there meat I shop there for other things like clothes , depends, makeup, etc. we like to shop at Aldi’s there meat is so great.
I agreeStop & Shop is affectionately called stop & rob in my house walmart cashiers are rude when/ if you get one
Forget about the department personnel they can’t be bothered answering a question. So done with them
Wal-Mart isn’t that bad price wise. The stores I visit are clean and well maintained. A key point about any grocery store is how clean are their bathrooms. The Kroger’s I have visited are absolutely disgusting at keeping their bathrooms clean so it’s obvious the rest of their store is filthy too. Clean the bathrooms.
In NYC, D’Agostino’s has become the worst Supermarket. Shame on them. Once a lovely family-owned business, it was bought by a superrich who wants to be NYC Mayor. He took over their primo locations but has chased us away.
Trader Joe’s, Fairway, Morton Williams & Whole Foods, and Wegman’s run circles around them.
Mallowmars are $8.99! Everywhere else between $4.49-6.99
Don’t like safe way they don’t have a good varieties of meats and their prices are really to high they need to do better on their chicken and their other meats I will never shop there again
I refuse to buy food in walmart. I have gone to purchase in past and found old meat, outdated cans of things, So now i refuse to go.
Walmart is one of my favorites. I’m well pleased.
I love the fact that Walmart delivers to your home but as many grocery stores, I worry about those wet spots on the conveyer belt from other people’s meat, they are rarely sanitized and continue to proceed to under the belt causing a potential bacterial growth build-up as the belt proceeds. I place all my vegetables, fruit ad meats in the bags offered in each of these sections of the store.
I see this occurring at many stores, not just Walmart but at least there are appropriate bags available at Walmart.
Not my experience. OVERALL VERY GOOD. little trouble getting help (language excepted). Meat O>K> but overpriced: Produce below standard and overpriced. Cherrypick both. dairy, canned, dry, frozen, snacks (wish for more house brand offerings, esp. cheeto’s equiv.), juice, beer, soda (where is the cherry cola, diet, no caffeine?), packaged meats are badly overpriced (need house brands), household, bakery, but overall favorite. ALDI makes up most deficiencies, while local Caputo’s has best quality produce and meat pricing. Good Olde JEWEL takes the cake in quality meats, sea food and sale produce but their “U” sales program s_c_s!
BACK TO WALMART for this shareholder!
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I live in Georgia and the only store on this list that we have here is Walmart. While employee courtesy, leaves a lot to be desired most of the time their packaged goods are a little lower priced then my local Kroger. I do not buy meat at Walmart or produce, fruit, or deli items because often times their prices are higher than the other retail stores and their meat leaves a lot to be desired. The produce fruit and deli items look like they’ve been sitting around for days. Overall their pricing continues to rise weekly, and they have gotten more into bulk foods than individual sales.
The majority of my shopping is done online at Kroger because I have a mobility issue and it’s much easier for me to shop online and pay a small delivery fee. . I have to also mention Publix because their fruits and vegetables, deli and hot food items, salads and bakery to me far surpass any other retail store. Their prices for package goods are definitely higher but for the above items I would rather pay for the quality.
I shop at none of the stores Most of my shopping is done at Trader Joe’s, with a few Items from Von’s, a few from Smart and Final and whatever interesting and valuable surprises I find at the Grocery Outlet.
Safeway has saved me money for years. I use their online clip saver. They are cheaper than my local Giant.
I would agree, if not for the clip saver SW has.
I refuse to shop Walmart as i am handicap and I can no longer get through the store in a riding cart due to the isles being so narrow and close together carts can’t pass. are never charged always broken and too many rude associates working the store. I have moved ALL of my shopping needs to Kroger. The new store layout is not handicapper friendly at all.
Pass this on to Walmart.
Teresa
Our Walmart *N 98 in Lakeland
Fl) is clean, but I will agree with the staffing being less than friendly, or helpful. I find their prices very good for national brands. Their own branded items are good tasting and very inexpensive.
Tell mw why Walmart in Tampa is selling chicken wings with feather , gross…
I use to go to Walmart at least 3 times a week. No anymore, prices has tripled stock not kept up. Also dirty, meats are tuff
The prices are usually good but the “team” members are the worst! You can’t find one when you need one, they seem to all be filling orders for customers who order online. If you are “lucky enough” to find one they don’t have answers and don’t usually offer to find out. They block the aisles with there order filling carts and are just generally rude.
My Walmart started falling apart during COVID. Of course shelves were empty due to supply issues. Now shelves are empty because they are stocking shelves during the day & it is aggravating. Self check out is a flippin’ joke. They are losing business big time! The pharmacy is the main reason I shop there.
In my area Stop & Shop is by far the worst followed closely by Walmart. The best are Tops and Hannafords.
Walmart is horrible everywhere.
Whole article was disappointing did not show the worst grocery stores except for Walmart then on the best grocery stores it showed Walmart again go figure
I agree with the comments made about the stores in my area, for the most part. However, why would you want to pay more for branded items at other stores instead of going to Walmart? I agree their meat leaves a lot to be desired, but most everything else in OK. And much cheaper.
What is happening in Walmart’s that is so negative? The last time that I shopped there; everything was fresh, well stored, up to date. Who is giving their opinion negatively; about Walmart? November 17, 2024
I did leave my comments concerning Walmart. I do enjoy shopping at Walmart. Where did my past comment go to? I don’t have my own website.
I prefer ALDI, but they don’t have everything you want or a big selection, they are not a one stop grocery store. Their prices are lower that other stores.
I like Cash Savers and in our area thats abour all.
How can a person hate em if they have never seen the name or been there done that?????
Of the “seven worst” grocery stores, I’ve only shopped in #7, Walmart. They have very competitive prices on pre packaged food; but I won’t buy produce or meat, because the freshness and overall quality is usually sub-par.
On the other hand, if you have the time, you can save on pre packaged food, and go elsewhere for meats and produce.
I shop at Stop and Shop I had no problem with the store. The store was clean and well stocked. I also work for Stop and Shop for over 25 years.
The pick N Saves in Appleton, WI area are an exception to your rule. They are clean. I have a “U” card and Walmart has a habit of charging my credit and debit cards for items that are qualifying on the “U” card.
Never heard of some of these. Will not go to Walmart for any amount of money. Living in the South I shop at Publix and a meat store for meats.
The Walmart that I go to in Valrico Fl. has disappointed me several times. I ask one of their stockers where something is and they say they don’t understand or speak English. I understand hiring Spanish speaking people but they should know enough English to tell you where the item is.
I do agree about Walmart I try not to buy my meat or poultry there, there has been as of late a lot of fat n vain like parts in the chicken breast when paying by the pound it does add up.
Walmart does not have the lowest prices they claim to have.
Walmart has cleared out mom & pop shops in the inner cities of every town and city that have been cursed by having one! BUT! They are the only store that sells prime meat, and also waygu ribeye steak. I have never seen either of those anywhere else. They do push their store brand products, which for me is a blessing after paying the price for prime meat and a kobe steak at 26.00 per pound.
I doubt it. My Edinboro Walmart is great. Only thing I hate is the 6’6″ shelves! I’m only 5’6″. I either have to find a tall person or bring my 4 ft gripper to get anything off the top few shelves. What are they thinking? Only 2% of us are over 6 ft! As for the others, I have never heard of them. Safeway left when the original owner was indicted for murder. Never saw it again. As the others, no idea about any of them. I think your series is majorly flawed. Try again but do a little more research next time. Especially out of your neighborhood.
The worst of all is HY VEE in midwest. Terrible store.
Regarding Safeway. The safeway near ne is actually very good. It has wonderful produce and meat. They are a tad more expensive than our local frys, but it’s worth it.
Our local S&S is only a mile from my home and I use it for convenience. I always swear that I’m never going to shop there again but go back because of the convenience. There are two other supermarkets that I can drive to and should make a New Year’s resolution to do so.
Unluckily we only have Stop and Shop. When the King Kullen closed S&S raised their prices.
I personally only know of 1 of the stores listed – Stop and Shop. I was sorry to read that it was the number 1 store that was hated. I live in Northern New Jersey and shop at my local S and S. The store is always clean and well stocked. The employees are always friendly and helpful. Produce is always fresh and the baked goods well packaged and fresh. The store is large and easily navigable since the aisles aren’t loaded with displayed goods.
I would finally say the restroom is always clean and well stocked with T-paper and paper towels. Sorry to hear that other S and S stores don’t live up to mine. I am lucky!
Tom Thumb, Kroger, or Aldi are my regular stores. Wal-Mart is the only store on your list where I might shop. Have had both good and bad experiences with employees at various stores. I’m careful about the meat I buy there and usually stick to familiar brands on products. Their produce is limited and I have gotten packages with ‘bad’ products because I couldn’t clearly view the items. Buyer beware!
While I agree with most of your ratings I must disagree with the Stop and Shop rating. We have one here in New Hyde Park that deserves to be rated exceptional. The store is clean, the prices are fair and the meat is fresh. I found the staff to be friendly,courteous and helpful. You are welcome to come and visit this store and decide for yourself.
you hit the nail on the head….. though I’m somewhat upset about this Walmart DEI situation…. funny how a huge company like this would bow down to some smerk attitudes…. maybe they were compilating the whole time..