As we speak more and more about inflation, we have to take into consideration that buying groceries is only going to get more expensive than it ever has.
And even if customers won’t be able to avoid inflated prices anymore, it might pay off to do all your groceries at stores that offer competitive prices and avoid those that tend to ask for more money.
Consumer Reports actually asked a couple of shoppers to rank the price competitiveness of different grocery chains throughout the country, and apparently, these 14 stores were rated as the worst grocery stores that you could ever go to:
34 thoughts on “16 Worst Grocery Stores in America”
I think Acme is great, prices and sale prices. Also one of the cleanest and organized stores and great employees.
What are the 14 worst grocery stores?
Walmart should be at the top of the list.
Produce is good and at a very good price.
Pick n Save is bad as well
I disagree with your rating of Acme Markets. The Acme near my home in South Philly competes very well with the famous Italian Market. I think it is a very good store.
you have to add PUBLIX SUPERMARKETS IN THIS LIST.. their prices are way non competitive..
anything you buy turns out into an expensive product… I recently went to buy a cabbage, a simple cabbage.. Their price was $8,50 .. I returned it at the cashier.. List them as non competitive .. Maybe that will force them to open their eyes..
There prices may be high, but there shelves are always full and everything is fresh.
Their staff is top notch, help find items for you and carry’s your items to your car,
Stores are immaculate, clean and well lit.
If you want cheap, shop at Walmart
I totally agree. If you want fresh food, excellent and friendly service and want everything you need to shop for Publix is by far the best. Yes they should be more competitive but I guess you get what you pay for.
They are high in pricing yes but I get quality food that lasts like veggies and fruits. I watch for there sales which are great. The store is clean and the staff are friendly and helpful always. Very professional!
Publix is always rated in the top 3 & for good reason-immaculate stores, excellent selection & variety, friendly staff, full service store- checkers & baggers-atmosphere is so pleasant- The worst is Walmart! Groceries, everything everywhere are more expensive! Inflation is rampant thanks to our gov’t policies.
I frequent the Shaw’s in Middletown/Newport RI, and I love it. I’m addicted to their, in-store made guacamole. It’s the best I’ve ever had.
I live in Manhattan and, lucky for me, a new one moved to 96th and Amsterdam Ave. It’s huge, carries everything, and has great stock on ethnic types of foods. The fresh produce area is the best I know of, and the prices are super. The workers there are VERY friendly and helpful, and it seems like they really enjoy working there.
I’m sure all the stores you mentioned have some great franchises and some not-so-great ones. So, I don’t think it’s wise to judge them all in a general statement.
You left Weiss off this list. They are by a great margin the worst grocery store in my part of Virginia. They bought out Food Lion in our area and even though I lived within 1/2 mile of this store I will drive 25 miles to go to a Food Lion or shop at other stores. Their prices are not competitive, their employees are rude, their management is incompetent. Employees block the aisles in the store and if you ask them if you can get around them was told to go over an aisle and come back the other way. Manager informed me that they only has certain amount of time to stock shelves before going into overtime.
Lexington, KY……..we have a Whole Foods and a Fresh Market but none of the others. These two are price competitive with one another. Other stores in area are competitive with one another. Main differences are
in produce and canned goods compared to WF and FM.
We used to shop at Acme Markets all the time. It was our neighborhood grocery store. I could walk to and from. Then they built a new Giant and wow what a difference. More to select from. More deli choices, more fresh produce and basically had things that Acme did not carry. Would still shop at Acme if I needed a last minute
something. But overall, Giant I think was better. They were high on some things, but I think their sales were
a lot better.
I shop at Shaw,s only the sale items other than that it,s hit or miss. Market Basket is still the lowest prices in Mass although that is rising.
Safeway, aka Albertsons, and Frys should be on this list. Price gougers.
I actually do not use any of stores mentioned! In fact I never heard of most of them.
Have tried a few mentioned, but don’t live that close to them.
I have gone to Shaws years ago, but haven’t been since!
Was rather surprised about the info of the workers at Shaws. I have found most all the workers to be very helpful and respectful. Shaws also offers many good sales every week but I can agree that when not on sale could be a little pricey but I usually buy only sale items. As for the other stores they are definitely not in my area as I have never even heard about them.
Our Price Chopper is poor in fresh produce, baked goods, and meat/meat prices.
I guess walmarx wins again or they paid you guys off.
I never eat keys but I have eaten locks, also spelled lox.
I shop three stores. Best deals at each one. They are all very close to me so distance isn’t a factor. The only one on your list is Shaws. I actually like Shaws! I don’t shop there regularly but they have good sales and certain items that I can’t get at Stop & Shop or Walmart. They also have a better quality of fruit and vegetables. I have not had any problems with the employees. They have always been helpful and courteous. I don’t know which Shaws those people went to, but it wasn’t mine.
could only display eight
For being pricey Publix does it best.
I know that Shell gasoline is one of the best gases available, but being on Social Security, I can never afford to fill my tank. I ,instead, go to Costco.
thanks for these informations,
Butera, followed by Jewel. Their meats are rotten and or spoiled. Meats are black, shiny, and reflective. Besides these complaints…they are both super expensive.
Where are these stores?? With the exception of two, I’ve never heard of any of them, and I’ve traveled a lot in the US.
Not complaining, you understand-
Safeway should be on the list. They are the ONLY chain that consistently have errors, mostly charging more than the advertised price. Their prices are also too high and are part of a monopoly so I don’t think things will be getting better. My advice? Everyone needs to eat down their food supply and stop buying too much of ANYTHING. Americans can’t afford the high costs as we are picking up tab for all the illegals who come with nothing and are given everything on the American dime, thanks to our incompetent leaders.
I’m not familiar with any of these stores accept Whole foods.
I think they are mainly on the East Coast and although I’ve heard of some, the information is useless for those of us that live on the West Coast.
Safeway should be on the list. They are the ONLY chain that consistently have errors, mostly charging more than the advertised price. Their prices are also too high and are part of a monopoly so I don’t think things will be getting better. My advice? Everyone needs to eat down their food supply and stop buying too much of ANYTHING. Americans can’t afford the high costs as we are picking up tab for all the illegals who come with nothing and are given everything on the American dime, thanks to our incompetent leaders.
I do not often shop Shaws because of their higher prices. But when I do, I find their produce, meats and bakery items to be fresh and good quality. The store I go to in Windham NH is always clean and the employees have always been pleasant and helpful.
Shaws is awful! Having worked in the industry for 24 years, now seeing how Shaws runs their markets is terrible. Hope they close and new stores come in to our area!