Gelson’s
Even if Gelson’s got a good score of 87 out of 100 when it comes to overall satisfaction, it also received a 1 out of 5 score, for price competitiveness, which is the lowest possible score.
New Seasons Market
New Seasons Market managed to get perfect scores when it comes to the cleanliness and helpfulness of its employees, even if it has the lowest possible score when it comes to price competitiveness.
New Seasons Market managed to get an overall rating of 3.7 out of 5, based on more than 448 reviews that were left anonymously by their employees.
230 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.
They were in PA, along with A&P, until the unions chased both of them out. My grandmother always liked the fresh ground beef there. This was in the early 70s, when distribution was more difficult.
acme is expensive because they are non union
Acme prices are $1-3.00 more than other stores for the same brand item. Yes they have a somewhat larger selection but the only reason to shop is when they have “loss leader” sales and if you can take advantage of coupons (membership is free)
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.
For sure they have so many unhealthy foods there you might as well bring a castic in there because most of the foods have high carbs and fatting what’s even wose high price. Go some where else.
Walmart is not that much cheaper on a lot of products, the thing I detest more than anything is the fact that there is no such thing as CUSTOMER SERVICE anymore. I know that Sam Walton would not accept the way his stores are being managed. I stay out of Walmart unless there is no way to avoid going there. I live in a small town so we don’t have many choices
I totally agree, Walmart number one worse store. Customer service, wait time horrible.
I agree!
In the past, I would have agreed with you, but now I have found that “taste-wise” Walmart’s bakery goods far better than Kroger’s (Frys) as are their prices usually. Maybe it’s just that their in-store bakers are better!
Agree that Walmart should be at top of list.
ABsolutely! They should be top of list. And they will not give out number to president of company or ceo of Walmart. We took a credit card off our account added a debit card and the system flagged it as fraud it has been 5 days now spoke with 2 supervisors 8 reps all promising order would be fixed. Still this is 10 order in days and it cancels it steadily cancels. All these pie crust promises they are useless shop there weekly pickup . Will find new store
I disagree. I have no major issues at any of my Walmarts and are usually .10-.50 less expensive than Target. Employee attitudes have generally been the same.
I love my Walmart store. Great prices, very good and kind people working there. Very knowledgeable emplees.
I have never had a problem with Walmart,
However that is in Reno,NV area
I agree.
Yes Walmart sucks and keeps raising prices, and Tom Thimb’s the worst price gougers. I’m not familiar with most of the 14. Whole Food’s prices are high and the si-called PREPARED VEGAN FOOD IS NOT GOOD. I’m a vegan and make my own delicious vegan menus.
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.
I never had a problem with,
Acme Markets in the Philadelphia area, that was ten years ago.
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.
I can’t touch Publix they’re too damn expensive I shop Walmart and find i save more money with their low prices it’s unbelievable that a box of cereal Corn Flakes Rice Krispies etc. Kellogg brand is almost $8.00 at Publix while you can get the same thing for less at Walmart and with a jar of mayonnaise almost $7.00 for a regular size jar where at Walmart you can get it for less at Publix my total grocery bill would be about $300.00 for a regular cart of groceries
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!
Agree w/ all remarks about Publix which is why I choose them over other grocery stores in our area.
Publix in Deltona fla., is terrible, high prices, terrible produce and I mean bad. When the bananas don’t last longer than 2 days. Ugh! Lettuce is horrible, I could go on and on. Just be careful what you buy! Prices are sky high. Guess I’m used to Hyvee in Peoria, Illinois. Thought I would be in a great place for fruit. Guess I’ll have to buy canned and learn to live with it!
Yes There High,but there all to high. We are Retered
T agree PUBLIX SUPERMARKETS my be a little higher but like the reader said it is ways clean shelves are organized the worker go out their way to find what you need, or get someone who can help you if they can’t. I have been to several different states and all have been about the same so I will pay for cleaner stores one that the smell of bad or old produce meets you at the door unorganized shelves worker with bad attitude or gen Xer on the phone all the time passing the shift away. Publix gets an A from me . You can have the painted red meat cause fresh meat is not that color take it for a county boy .
I guess we are lucky. Walmarts going through a complete modernization of their stores. No perfect perhaps, but our Walmart is a good place to shop. You have to know what you are buying from any store . Another one I like a lot is Meijers.
Publix Always has everything stocked. Even if there is snow.,rain or any catastrophe .In my opinion they are top notch
It’s good to shop at Walmart, because you’re getting the same products as you do at Publix, and you’re also getting great customer service with them. Walmart also keeps a much higher quantity in their products than Publix, I have truly paid attention to that. I’ve looked for something in Publix, and there they are sold out and it’s not something that is on sale in their store, but there I go to Walmart, and there they have what I’m looking for. Walmart also sells 24 packs of drink products at a very reasonable price. The water I purchase from them is a 36-pack, but Publix only sells 24 packs. I shop at Publix and I surely pay attention to everything there. They have gone up tremendously in prices, and I believe that carries a higher concern than the customer service you receive, though receiving good customer service is important, the money that comes out of your pocket to either store is surely important.
You nailed it, Mike. I shared those exact sentiments with the Store Manager of my Publix. However, I must admit that I do not use the Publix nearer my home because of bad experiences that included, getting bad meat twice, shelf product with expired ‘use by’ date (bought in October, expired months earlier June). The most recent problem occurred when I asked the bag person to bag my purchases lighter as I am elderly with problems lifting heavy bags The bag person was doing that when the store manager cam by. Althought, my walking cane was in the cart, he removed all my purchases from the lightly bagged 5 bags to 2 bags The bagger and I told him I had requested lighter bags but he totally ignored both of us. With that he simply snapped to me that he would take them to my car. Well, I was flabbergasted at the Manager’s rudeness, and his lack of understanding of ‘customer service’ So now I bypass that particular Publix which is 2 miles from my home and drive the additional 10 miles to the Publix where the store manager is so kind. When I told him what a pleasure it is to shop there, he gave his ‘team’ 100% of the credit. Customer Service is not just a bygone concept at that store, but seemingly an understood and appreciated concept of serving the store’s customers.
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Agreed! I LOVE Publix!
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 don’t know what Walmart you’ve gone to, but, the ones in my area are clean, well laid out, stocked well, produce is very good quality & the prices are pretty much the lowest, by far. I’m comparing to their competitors in my area, Publix & Winn Dixie. Walmart/Sam’s are half the cost of chips, bread, milk, & many other staples. Winn Dixie is really getting worse now, as most are being revamped as Aldi’s, the no brand names, no deli, no bakery, no pharmacy, no grocery bags, no etc., etc., etc., yuck store. Once our full service, high priced WD is converted to Aldi’s, we’ll make the 50 mile round trip to Walmart/Sam’s. Luckily Sam’s delivers many products (non perishable) to our area. However, the main problem is inflation, high fuel costs, high everything costs that have come about since the political climate changed in Jan 2020. Your best bet to fight high prices is at the voting booth. Remember that in ’24.
You have to watch prices at Walmart. It says one price on the shelf and a higher price when it is rung up at the register. They will give you the lower price, then give you an excuse about not having the opportunity to get the shelf price changed. How many will fight for a few cents, but it all adds up for Walmart. Know your prices.
The government does not control grocery prices. Grocery stores compete with one another. It’s called supply and demand.
It’s not government policies. Everything went up during covid. Once covid was under control, and the supply chain was back up, many companies lowered their prices to what they had been before the pandemic. But others, like grocery stores and companies that supply them (cereal companies are among the worst) continued with the higher prices. It’s called gouging the public.
It’s not policy. It’s corporate Greed. The pandemic gave companies the green light to jack everything up. Then companies gave raises. Which in turn kept prices up.
Muy bien, estoy totalmente de acuerdo, aprovechan cualquier oportunidad para subir los precios, que ya son super caros, Walmart es el peor de todos.
Inflation is rampant because of greedy grocery stores. The government has nothing to do with the price of groceries.
COVID-19 caused the increase in prices because supply was way less than demand, but the greed of grocery stores kept the prices up after supply went back to normal.
Winn-Dixie and Harvey’s are high price stores. Like Publix
I have to agree Publix is expensive but I will buy there before I go to any of the other options I have here. We have Walmart (where I absolutely positively refuse to go), Kroger, Piggly Wiggly, Harvey’s and they are just as expensive as Publix and usually not as clean or customer friendly.
In defense of Publix: they have super clean stores conveniently located everywhere ( where I live ) their staff are friendly and helpful. They carry your bags out and do not accept tips. I guess their prices are higher but I firmly believe that you get what you pay for.
Shop the ad. BOGO’s are a great deal. Clean and good quality food.
Stock up with their BOGO’s . Half their high price
Publix stores are always clean. Best customer service. Prices are fair, shop the deals. Food is fresh. My favorite for buying groceries.
Seems like if you want quality, you have to pay for it.
I Love Publix!
I have lived in Florida for a very long time and there is no question that Publix is too expensive. However, it is a high quality store and has many two for the price of one sales. Factoring that in, it is still too expensive but not that bad. I have seem other chains that are worse. What I really like about Publix is the customer service. It is very high quality. Its major weakness is the fish department. Its fresh fish are way too expensive and not all that fresh. However, no store is perfect.
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.
I live in Kennebunk Maine and I love our Shaws! Always clean and you can’t beat their just for you sales! Staff is always courteous and helpful!
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.
I used to work at Weis Markets in Fredericksburg, Va. Most of the associates are young people who truly lack good customer service skills. I am now in Tennessee and work for Food Lion. A different state, but excellent customer service and store conditions here.
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.
Safeway, aka Albertsons, and Frys should be on this list. Price gougers.
I agree. Some ppl bash Walmart, but the one near us is clean, friendly personnel, fresh produce and prices beat out Fry’s and Safeway by a long shot!
Safeway is also bad. Sale prices too often not properly credited at checkout; also, they purposely do not show ALL discounts until the end of purchases. I often see shoppers scrutinizing their receipts before leaving the store. Also, their Digital Only coupons are too often hard to take advantage of since changing their web site, which too often does not work.
Last but not least, various stores have been allowed to merge, causing a monopoly. So, there really are few options here in the “Great” Northwest. Trader Joe’s, Grocery Outlet, and Costco are pretty much the only options and none of them are competitive. Although, Costco has them all beat with their return policy.
Gougeway ( Safeway) definitely is over priced
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.
Don’t buy their produce or freshly made or grown food.
Walmart is the worst. Overpriced and poor quality!
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.
I shop in several produce stores. I have to tell they are all very expensive and it’s getting ridiculous more expensive. The good old days are over.
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.
I drive Porsches and only fill up at Costco their gas is mim 50 cents less than all the others
Shell is a little higher but used the Shell discound card to buy gas.
thanks for these informations,
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 completely agree with the illegals problem the whole country is having.
Next time you post, take your meds first.
Safeway was purchased by Albertsons, that’s when the problems started. Safeway, prior to becoming a part of Albertsons, was a great place to shop. Prices were low, quality was high, employees were friendly and the cashiers were always helpful.
I’ve never heard of the majority of grocery stores on this list. Only Walmart.. I live in Texas. These must buy up north. Marketstreet is the best grocery store!! Walmart sucks and everything is from China
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.
Surely you’ve heard of Walmart! Walmart is SO overpriced. Can’t get help unless you’re there at 10 or 11pm WITH THE STOCKERS and the rude, clueless shoppers are there with their exhausted, screaming babies and toddlers. I hate that store!
Kroger is another. You can’t shop for the click-list shoppers in the way with their huge carts. EVERYTHING is way too expensive.
Mary, I live on the East coast, the ☀️ Sunshine State 🌞. I haven’t heard of most of these places either.
Giant Eagle is in Western PA and some of Eastern Ohio. The Fresh Market only has a few stores, and is scattered around the East Coast, like in Pittsburgh and Fayetteville, NC. Most of the others, I’m not familiar with either.
never did like shaws. prices are too high. similar to convenience stores.
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.
KROGER in Kentucky is a very good place to shop lots of fresh produce, and great meat slections also a good selection in can goods
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.
Well you said just about every grocery store scored a 1 on prices, that being said the consumer has no idea how prices are set and have no knowledge of food costs. Apparently they think farming and dairy people do this all out of the kindness of their hearts. You said nothing about any one grocery having competitive pricing. Overall I would give your article a 1, lack of information, no conclusions.
Price Chopper (Poughkeepsie) needs to “chop” their prices which are generally higher than most supermarkets in the area.
Ever notice that the meats in Walmart don’t sell ? Try a “steak” which is tastes like a “stake”. They also put out their vegetables and take them back in their refrigerators at the end of the day. Usually, their frozen food item prices are better than most other supermarkets. I recommend food shopping at the end of the month when people are waiting for their SSI checks. You also have to shop early in the day if you really want something.
Redner’s is pretty bad.
To Whom it may Concern: I live in Greensburg, Pa. 15601 and in this area as far as grocery store’s in this area of Westmoreland County You want to add to the list of really so expensive for Grocery’s store’s here in this area they Giant Eagle and Shop N Save are extremely expensive with there price gouging and then there’s Walmart and also Naser’s grocery Store they don’t sell what I want they are what I call copycat’s they copy each other when it come’s to stocking the same type of food’s so I and the people here are screwed I want to see on the shelves different food’s a much wider Varity of food’s. I want to see new Grocery Store’s Come Into this area Please. From Jim K. Stile
I love Price Chopperit’s very clean and well stocked. The people that work there are the nicest and very friendly. Great sales on meat and fresh produce. The products are all well stocked. I think your wrong on this store. I’ve shopped in other stores and Price Chopper is far better than others in the state. And in other states.
In the state of Texas HEB is far and away the best grocery – quality and pricing. In East Texas a chain called Brookshire’s clean stores – very high prices. I’ve lived in many state and HEB out of San Antonio is far and away the best grocery chain I have shopped.
I’m really happy to say that there are none of those store in my area. I do have to say that I’m surprised that Walmart didn’t make the list.
I don’t at all agree with including Fresh Market and Whole Foods on this list! I shop both of them. Fresh Market has wonderful specials on Crab legs, tenderloin, chicken, etc. seafood at Whole Foods is wonderful. Please don’t knock a company if they have so much quality to them. Maybe you should do better homework with better facts to support your claims!!! There are others much more deserving to be on this list. Not fair!
It all depends on what it’s like in your area. One person said add Wal Mart. Our Wal Mart is great, nice and clean and we also have a Wal Mart neighborhood market close by that tends to have everything we need. Plus, you can’t find any prices lower than Wal Mart
Safeway is also bad. Sale prices too often not properly credited at checkout; also, they purposely do not show ALL discounts until the end of purchases. I often see shoppers scrutinizing their receipts before leaving the store. Also, their Digital Only coupons are too often hard to take advantage of since changing their web site, which too often does not work.
Last but not least, various stores have been allowed to merge, causing a monopoly. So, there really are few options here in the “Great” Northwest. Trader Joe’s, Grocery Outlet, and Costco are pretty much the only options and none of them are competitive. Although, Costco has them all beat with their return policy.
Piggly Wiggly charges two taxes on your receipt. They say they sell you their food for what they pay for it and only charge you 10% over their cost. This is a total lie and scam. I researched it and they paid .05 cents for top roman noodles but you pay 1.25 a pack then tax AND their 10% over that 1.25. Turn these types of stores into the Consumer Affairs Office. Greedy crooks.
I am from around Mobile, Alabama, and the only two of these stores I have even heard of is Whole Foods and Fresh Market, however, I don’t think we have these two stores around. My favorite stores in my town (Fairhope, AL) are Piggly Wiggly, Publix, Winn Dixie and Greer’s in that order. This is just mho. We also have WalMart and Aldi, but they are “out of town”, so to speak (more than 5 miles from my house).
Guess I have nothing to worry about. I’ve never heard of any of these
Western Beef!! Yuck
Once you get past the plastic partition in the cold meat and dairy section hold your nose! Smells like death.
Try shopping at the Hannaford in kennebunk, Maine
$$$$$. Haha bring your 401k retirement fund with you
How in the hell can I leave a comment and I never got to see the list????? Boo on you!😨😮
Interesting. I have lived in two states, and have traveled to 43. I only recognized 3 markets on the list: Gelson’s, Whole Foods, and Von’s. Which should give an indication to where I lived, and also the problem with the survey. It is completely regional.
I was always a fan of Acme Markets. Very big name in Pa. After Covid started it went downhill. The prices are high. They never have what I want. The employees are the best! But that is all.
The stupidity of this article and most comments are unbelievable!
the worst should be the ones that are selling those products with containing bugs in the coating like Tyson or meats loaded with vaccines, gmo’s, A-peel, etc
Publix will always take anything back if you purchased it there and if anything is wrong with it!!! An upper end quality store. If unsatisfied you have the option to shop somewhere else.
Gelson’s, Fresh Market, and Whole Foods are specialty stores — combination of fresh and organic selections and carry-out fresh food. None of these chains really compete directly with Kroger and other traditional supermarkets. Given their upscale and specialty focus, they do not compete on price. It is misleading to compare these chains directly against traditional supermarkets on price. Some of the other chains listed are supposed to be traditional supermarkets, and for those chains, downgrading them for high prices is legitiimate.
Unfortunately, I did not see any major food market chains (size wise) except for Vons which is California area. Publix, Safeway, Kroger, Food Lion, IGA, Aldi’s, Lidl, Lowe’s, and others, to include Walmart and Target. I have found that Walmart over all has consistently has lower prices on name brand foods such as Del Monte, Hunt’s, Sara Lee, Flower’s Bread, Frozen Foods such as (Marie Calender, Stoufer’s, and the various dietary options). But their house brand “Value” foods suck and dont compare to house brands made by Food Lion, Kroger, Lowes and Publix.
This is pretty much a useless article. It is repetitive and seems to focus primarily on price competitiveness and occasionally on a few other aspects of the grocery business, such as cleanliness, product quality, and employee. Those are often more important or at least as important as price competitiveness. There are data based on the survey results but few research statistics that give any concrete evidence as to what makes them the worst. As one reviewer stated, Weis markets which are found in his area in Virginia are some of the worst, in his opinion, based on multiple factors including employee friendliness and helpfulness, personnel work attitude, produce and meat quality, as well as price competitiveness. All these elements should have been factored in to have produced a statistically relevant determination of grocery store quality.
The prices at Shaw’s are quite high compared to another chain in the New England area (Market Basket). Shaw’s my look a little more sophisticated but the prices are much better at Market Basket and the quality products is just as good or better.
just a heading to suck you in for ads
Aldi’s has food that looks good but rots in fridge next day. There not brand items absolutely suck. Poor people go there for low prices like me and blow our whole grocery budget on things that go into trash. Speaking of trash the rubbish bags are just that, you better not put much in them or your washing the floor and using another bag to clean up again. Total waste of time. And have to pay a quarter for the cart and all the homeless people want to put your cart back. Unbelievable, bad,bad,bad. 0/5
Another store that should be reviewed is Jewel. Since they started their app coupon BS, I’ve diminished my shopping there. It’s a boondoggle pain.
NOT working for me!
shaws has good sales
None of these are in my area with the exception of Whole Foods. I don’t shop there because I can get excellent quality organic foods at much better prices at other stores and local farmers markets
You missed kroger.! Other price, low quality products, poor service.
It is getting harder and harder to follow anything on here. I only ever heard of one of these stores. Do these get made up to fill the pages?
Walmart is SO overpriced. Can’t get help unless you’re there at 10 or 11pm WITH THE STOCKER.
That’s when the rude, clueless shoppers are there with their exhausted, screaming babies and toddlers, or at 5-5:30 after they’ve pick them up from daycare. The babies are hungry and tired, and they just wanna go home. The parents are just shopping and looking at their phones, completely oblivious to their children’s needs. That’s when the bad parents are out and that’s when they shop. Walmart draws these people like a magnet! Used to be able to go there after midnight, and yes, I’ve seen them there at midnight with their children, until Walmart started closing at midnight. Now there’s no avoiding it. Walmart prices have gone so high, I never shop there.
Kroger is another. You can’t shop for the click-list shoppers in the way with their huge carts. EVERYTHING is way too expensive. I recommend Aldi and the cheap, dollar stores, if you can find clean ones. Unfortunately, the cashiers have to work the whole store in the dollar stores. That’s how they keep the prices down.
I would say that Lundsand Byerlys are the best grocery stores in my area in every area except for price. Yes it’s gourmet expensive grocery store. Very very nice. Haven’t shopped there in years. But I used to go all the time when I lived closer.
You didn’t mention Krogers, which is a large, well-known chain. I have lived next to one, or across from, for 18 years. I am sorry a little kosher bakery ended, but, all in all, there is a good selection to choose from
Byerlys has always been my very favorite source for groceries. But because of price I never fill up my shopping basket there and only purchase my favorite bakery goods, specialty salads, and select frozen and prepared foods. Yes, it requires a visit to 2 stores but Byerlys is such a beautiful and elegant shopping experience it’s very much worth the trouble.
Whole Foods is like every other entity taken over by the hyper-wealthy.
Sooner than later we’ll all stop going because the prices are ridiculous.
Bezos couldn’t tell the difference between an apple and an orange.
Idiotic review. Groceries like WF and F Market have their own well-heeled niches and don’t try to be discount anything. Their quality product are usually exceptional in my experience. They aren’t gouging. Organic is expensive and their are many who are happy to be the uptick, just to get a safer product.
Can’t find the list
I LOVE Publix! You get what you pay for! Can’t beat their service, quality of store brands, and variety!
Shaw ‘s market is by far the worst place to shop. Help is very rude and unprofessional and unprofessional to customers. I shopped there for a few months when I was boycotting Market Basket in solidarity. So glad I don’t have to shop there.
Whole Foods now excels in one particular area: Open Floor Space. Bring your roller skates.
Vons super market is kind of pricey.
Sadly, the “ACME Fresh Market – Hudson, Ohio” (an Albrecht’s family chain store) was under construction for nearly a year. During that time, heavy diesel-engine construction equipment was used inside the store most often in the evening where there were employees (even our high school part-timers) and suppliers. According to OSHA, diesel-exhaust is dangerous and can cause problems for those who have inhaled the pollutants., which is now part of ACME’s shelving. The OTHER issue is during the construction, the store’s insulation was exposed to the public. The combination of the dangerous diesel exhaust, air-borne insulation particulates, and residual contaminants on the shelving, food-items, and in the ventilating pipes, many people will likely suffer ailments, or worse.
I shop at Price Chopper. Their prices are fair and they do have Organic foods available. The above assessment is way off.
Why is Kroger and it’s family of stores not mentioned?
All these stores are not in my area. I am guessing it is just a list of East Coast stores. No mention of Albertsons and Fred Meyer? That costs you credibility.
Walmart should be at the top of the list. When you shop there make sure you check that food is not outdated or has mold in it! Also check vegetables for being old & rotten! Totally rediculous!
I’ve only heard of 2 of these stores. must not be covering a large number of states.
Walmart is horrible with their meat products I bought some turkey wings and legs and you can smell it through the pack that it was bad so now I refuse to buy any meats from Walmart
This survey is probably great for consumers living where these stores are. What about a survey western stores such as Arizona?
I’m shocked The Fresh Market is on the list. It’s been years since I living Florida. It was my favorite grocery store. The prices were higher , the quality of food was far superior. Whole Foods no longer even carries the stuff the products that brought me there. I can get everything either from another local grocer, or online.
So grateful I have never shopped at most of those markets.
Walmart should be on there. The prices maybe lower, but the quality of (especially meats) foods are inferior. Far inferior than any basic groceries. The fresh produce, fresh foods are poor quality as well.
When it comes to prepackaged food that Walmart only puts on shelves, they often have good prices.
Even their prices can’t beat Amazon or Costco!!
Sam’s is just a warehouse Walmart. Sam’s can save you money on gas. Costco and BJ’s are always cheaper or maybe $.01 more.
Bottom line, quality of product is a bit costly. It depends on whether you want to quality meats and produce or slime and rot meat and produce??
I’m surprised about seafood. I don’t know about their prepare food but otherwise they have very good selection at lower prices than other main stream supermarets . I shop at the one in Forest Hills 64th Avenue
I’d love to know how much Kroger paid to NOT be on this list.
They must be the worst run chain in America!
Generally, ACME is too expensive, HOWEVER, I do love looking for unadvertised mark downs in many depts. & of course, their clearance items in the back of the store. You just have to be there at the right time. I miss their annual Monopoly game where I was able to receive free groceries!
I Must be doing something wrong I am not accessing the article every time I click on something I get an ad what do I have to click on to read article
Publix should be on this list. Look up price gouging in the dictionary and you’ll see their logo.
My only experience with Acme markets was 55-70 years ago when I was growing up in a small PA town. We had only two “supermarkets”, Acme and A&P. My mom preferred A&P, but Acme was only a block from our house, so it was very convenient. We has a good relationship with the store and its managers and employees, which was nice. However, I can understand how folks in larger communities who don’t have that kind of personal contact with the store (or any store) might feel differently. Personally, I never noticed anything bad about “our” Acme store, but in over a half-century a lot can change. BTW, neither the Acme nor the A&P remain in that town. They’ve both been long gone – for several decades.
Another reason we spend more money on our so called health system then any other country in the world yet we’re the sickest nation on the planet. We complain about the cost of what we call food, processed and more, but consider what we pay for so called medical care because of the stuff we call food. We don’t just live on a prison planet, but insane too.
Vons and Albertsons are the same. Neither should be on the bad guys list for quality, but both should be for systematic price gouging. On the other hand, Amazon Fresh and Smart and Final have a few good deals, and lots and lots of bad deals. They are both OK for buying sale items only.
When Ii used to visit when my mother was living.I mostly shopped with my mother at price choppers, they had good pricing compared to other local chains. They had prepared food we used to buy, especially fish sandwich and fries, they had others but we liked the taste and 15 minutes to the house. Bread, pasta and other items weekly, but PC had sales, mom my sale hunter…
In Portland it’s known as New Sleazons. Want a thirty-five dollar chicken wing?!i
I shop at Shaws weekly because their food is fresh and meat is top notch! I don’t find their employees anything but polite except for one or two. Their sales are great and during Covid they were wonderful!
Whole foods has changed and they don’t care if stuff is local or not
It’s a shame this was not done regionally. Kroger should be on the list. They’re always out of essentials, understaffed, overpriced, and can’t get pickup and delivery orders right. Their pharmacy is just as bad. The drive thru is routinely closed due to short staffing.
While I have an ACME just up the street, I prefer the ShopRite in the next town over. Much MUCH better pricing, well organized and well staffed.
Giant is owned by Ahold Delhaize. Ahold Delhaize and Giant both have the policy that no pharmacist is ever disciplined or let go due to medication errors. I am a victim of this policy. It gave the pharmacist in question the freedom to change a label and poison me. I wrote to all the pharmacy boards of 26 states after the pharmacy board in Maryland did not investigate the poison incident about me. Only one state out of 26 states had any complaints on any Ahold Delhaize property. Virginia pharmacy director gave me a statement that contains the statement, “I know why you are asking and we wouldn’t do that for them.” I used that statement in an FTC complaint. Ahold Delhaize owns Giant, Food Lion, and Stop and Shop. Please be careful and protect yourselves.
Prices are way too high
Not everyone in Western PA likes Giant Eagle, but I do. Better than Aldi’s which sells cheap brands and doesn’t have a good selection. Small stores, less selection, yet, somehow, the first few times I shopped there (for Instacart) I had a difficult finding what the customer wanted. I hate Aldi’s.
Aldi’s is great! Quality food,limited selection though . You pack yourself,so if you don’t like that,forget them. Fast cashiers is their trademark. They beat Publix,Winn Dixie,Walmart in price by a mile. Smaller clean stores easy to shop in. Nice produce,great cheeses,German quality. Oh,bring your own bags too. If you are lazy and want to be catered to,go elsewhere and spend a lot more.
Publix is by far the best grocery store around although prices are very high. Aldis are the newest grocery chain in our area. Very reasonable prices, but not a great variety. Walmart is awful. Prices are decent but very dirty. Same goes for PicNSave. Prices lately are skyrocketing. Their variety is low but have found employees are great. The best food chain for superb employee help is by far Publix.
Pick n save was great and had Roundys as a supplier but Kroger bought it out and renamed it Metro Market, so prices went up at least $2 every item and the employees can be rude. So they have Sendiks prices without Sendik quality. Just go to Sendiks
This article is horrible. There’s a difference between more expensive stores and worst stores. These are not the worst stores by any means, and you get what you pay for.
I love their cold cuts, better than most.
Where the heck is Publix on this list? Comparing Publix to other grocers, they are $1.50 – $5.00 more for the exact same product.
Agree Acme is one of the worst stores, the local one is not clean and often the produce goes bad within a day of purchase.
I bought 2% milk last week which expires 12/25 and I became very sick because it was spoiled. This was from Walmart.
Lidel
Aldi
While I rarely go to Whole Foods, their 365 Brand of grocery items is often very good. In fact, HyVee sells many of these items. In the new stores in my area the meat at WF is very good and the store sells many hard to find items.
I agree that normal Price Choppers are not great. However, there is a private owner of more than a dozen of these stores. They are not warehouse stores and have great produce and generally medium to lower prices.
I live in KC, btw
Cost fir less 10%added stores
I don’t agree with the rating they gave Acme. All of the Acme’s I’ve shopped at have been customer oriented, very clean and pricing is know different than any other supermarket discussed in your article.
Disagree on your Wholefoods pick they have exceptional produce and meats, and yes they do have local vendors that the deal within both.
This should be the most expensive grocery stores in the nation.
Walmart the worst thay like to force you to3 use self check out and if you got 20 items in your cart 4 of them will check out at a higher price and when you catch it thay have to make you wate to send somebody for a price check not to mention you have check out your self but you have to bag your own groceries and at that point your w Walmart employ but your not getting paid for it I wouldn’t mind if thay gave me a self checkout discount but if I’m going to be a Walmart worker thay should offer me to purchase stocks options at check out
The only one on this list I have near me is Giant Eagle. It is expensive, but they keep up on expiration dates pretty well (I was a merchandiser for a huge candy company and look for exp dates regularly, so that’s extra important to me). If you cheery pick sales, you can do well there.
I do go to Meijer and Aldi to shop as well. Most is at Giant Eagle though, its walking distance. I’m there probably 4 times a week for this and that.
We shop at Shaws in Dartmouth, Mass. And have never had a problem. Whenever fish is on sale we buy it. I would rate this store very high. Yes, there are some items that are high, but the weekly sales are worth it.
so where’s the 16 grocery stores? you only show eight
No Kroger?
Vons is the worst! Never enough staff on the registers, prices are incredibly high too.
This is absolute bullshit. You never even mention the grocery stores. But you’re trying to advertise individual items. What a waste of money and time. If you’re gonna headline a particular subject, let the content be just that.
Vons is an upscale grocery chain in California, so low prices will not be found there. They have very high quality items and you pay for them.
Your introduction is too verbose and mostly does not say anything that is new or useful, and takes up extra time.
You didn’t even finish the article so why give you any kind of a sensible response. What I’m simply going to do is to block your site so that I don’t make the mistake of clicking on it ever again
What happened to the other 10 store names?
What about Aldi stores that’s where I shop. They’re nice. They’re clean their food. Food is good. The people are amazing. That will help help you. I’m a disabled veteran and they’ve helped me a lot and they’re always friendly inside there. I do go to Publix to get my dog food Cause Aldi doesn’t carry fresh pet. Happy New Year’s People.
I don’t see “Marcs”, know it’s an Ohio Stores, But the one store I was shopping at has some of worst “Employees
And the Management isn’t much sharper.
I was in the store and was doing shopping and came across some Dorna’s “it'” a pill for back pain And two days laider I went back to the same store and try to use the coupons that was in the boxes and they wouldn’t takem because they two days, that’s right days past use by date.
Now could see if were 2 weeks or 2mouths but twos so I left the store over two-dollar coupon(s)
Where’s the list?
I Always shop Von’s at Corona Ca, and found it very organized and helpful staff with right prices. Grocery and vegetables are always fresh.
The information is not at all worth the time to read
Trending now is the dumbest website on the internet with unintelligent articles and made up facts. Please tell how to unsubscribe so I don’t have to waste my time anymore with this stupid garbage!
Look we see the #1 lowest answer is price. Part of this falls on the manufacturers who raised their prices, as the fuel prices shot up.
It all hit and continues to hit the consumer though.
I think Publix in Florida is way out of line with there pricing. For example; Kraft Miracle Whip, $8.75 for a quart container. Just down the rode, 3 miles, Aldi’s has it for $5.49!! $3.76 more for the same item. Don’t have to tell me to stay out of Publix.
Have never heard of a lot of them here in Texas we go pretty good stores . I don’t care for whole foods
Does this mean I may be able to get a GREAT deal on a used vehicle?
All I can say is that this list likely contains a lot of smaller, regional stores as I’ve only heard of three before–Giant Eagle, Acme and Whole Foods. The others are not even a blip on the radar screen.
Here in the West Valley of Phoenix, we have mostly price gougers, like Fry‘s and Albertson/Safeway. Aldi has better prices, so we go there more frequently.
I beg to differ with your opinion of Fresh Market. I do not shop there for commonly used items. I go to Fresh Market for items not often available at the large chain stores, i.e Kroger. I prefer Fresh Market coffees, salads and have always been able to find Ghee which isn’t always available elsewhere.
Yes, I am sorry to say I agree with Whole Foods. Whole Foods is no longer “Whole.” They have added sugar in alot of their 360 items. Many of their items contain seed oils. And it seems like if a product is very clean and healthy you soon see it marked as “Last Chance.” Even Whole Foods Mission statement has changed since the buyout. Buyers Beware! Politics aside (sadly eating healthy has become a political issue), hopefully RFK can assist in sidelining the pharm industry, bringing quality healthy food back to our tables, and making eating healthy affordable again.
Brookshire Brothers in Texas
“Even if prices at Whole Foods got way more competitive right after Amazon bought the chain in 2017, it still raised the majority of prices. The chain in 2017, raised the majority of prices. In fact, the chain isn’t as good as it used to be: They had better quality stuff before, and they were more focused on local procurement of products and produce.” Another issue for Me, if you read the labels on the Deli Section a lot of items are being “provided by outside company’s not Whole Foods.
HELP
UFCW Union & KR oger (Corporate) Rodney McMullen Terminated ME *After 20+ yrs*
Decided I Had PTSd
#USARMYCombatVeteran
PERCEPTION of a PTSd.
Been Several Years and STILL No HARM to Anyone, EXCEPT My Family Having their Dad Labeled as a P$Y(H0 & D0me$tic Terr0!$t
Whole Foods is not the same after Amazon took over. Finding food that is GMO in the store now.
For sure Key Food is the worst by far.
Everything said, and more about Shaw’s is true. Their prices are set independently so in my case the three Shaw’s all within six or seven miles of each other have astounding variations in price with even the lowest of the three still higher than other chains in the same area. Employees rude? Absolutely! Not simply rude but nasty. That includes managers one of whom I watched in amazement as he told a woman who was complaining about an item she had bought that if she didn’t like it she could, “Go to another F***king store”. Nice people.
Food Town has to the worst for their prices and mice.
Key Food supermarket is horrible it is the only grocery store where I live so I have to just suck it up . The food is never fresh except for bakery bread that is delivered everyday daily except Wednesday. The prices are outrageous and the food expired to quickly. I would not shop there if I had a choice.
Can’t get past your spam so fuck off.
Why didn’t you tell where these store chains were located?
In Southern California Safeway stores became Vons due to Safeway exercising its option to take over the chain. About five years ago the Investment Company that owns Albertson bought Safeway. In my case the store I shop at is the upscale Vons Pavilion. They immediately remodeled the store to fit the Albertson policy and did a terrible job. Not only did prices go up but the selection became more limited. When Albertson took over ?Luckey Markets they did the same thing. How a second rate chain can get control of one Americas major super markets and dictate how to run a super market chain is beyond me. Now the latest drama is supposed to take place. Krocker whichv operats Ralphs Markets in California is attempting to purchase both chains, closing or converting the Albertson to Ralphs and spinning off Safeway/ Vons to a wholesale foods corporation. I’m a big beef eater so quality beef has always been my top priority and that is why I have stuck with Vons. We shall
There is only ONE place to shop for groceries and that is “PUBLIX, Where shopping is a pleasure.” That is as long as you don’t mind clean stores and helpful employees.
So far I have noticed a direct relationship between overall quality and price competitiveness. It should be taken into account that these stores should not be given poor ratings just because of price. The customer is receiving a consideration for the slightly higher prices that they charge. Quality of service and cleanliness etc. are worth something especially when it relates to buying the stuff that goes into our bodies. I think that a little grace should be given to these stores.
Ah. Here are examples of deservedly poor scores because of not being price competitiveness they also don’t give the customer with good service, quality etc. to justify their non price competitiveness
Again, proof that quality costs.
It’s crazy. Having a great selection of excellent food in a clean store but not price competitive? Un forking believable!
Lololol 🤣😂🤣
Safeway is most high in our area. It’s not a good grocery store and their price our price goers and buy groceries there if they paid me to buy groceries investigated by the federal government
Shaw’s does have the rudest customer service people, (especially cashiers), or at least at my local Shaw’s in North Providence, RI.
We only 2 of the stores here in the Austin TX area ….
Whole Foods & Randall’s. I have never shopped Whole Foods as there was not a convenient location for me to go to. But I had heard they were over-priced and the quality of produce was not that great.
I have shopped Randall’s on numerous occasions. The only time I shopped there was if they had a real good sale on something I needed or they had something I couldn’t find anywhere else. They are over-priced as well. I do have to say there isles are usually kept clear for shoppers to navigate the isles comfortably.
Publix should be on the list. Their pricing is outrageous. Some items are as much as 70% more than other stores. Starbucks whole bean coffee $14.51 (Publix) $8.99 (Target).
Produce is hit or miss. One bell pepper $4.15
Brothers&Sister’s
UFCW Union & KR oger (Corporate) Rodney McMullen Terminated ME *After 20+ yrs*
They Decided I Had PTSd
US ARMY Combat Veteran
Been Several Years and STILL HARM to My Family Having their Dad Labeled as a P$Y(H0 & D0me$tic Terr0!$t
Add Publix! Inflated prices! Only use their BOGOs
Other than Whole Foods, how can the rest of this list be meaningfully evaluated? After all, most grocery stores are owned by maybe 2 or 3 large Corporations? Or maybe only ONE? I can’t keep track!
I agree
ACME works for me!!
I shop frequently at Key Food in Kings Park, Long Island, New York
May be the prices are a little higher than stores but the Lady who runs the front area is very nice
Also they are clean & well stocked with the grocery items I need
Must be lucky to live in south Texas bc Ive never heard of these stores…I have 2 HEBs in my town along w Aldis and sam club!
Shaw’s: Higher prices…. accept some of the products when “on sale.”
What? How come Publix didn’t male the list?
I go to Shaws in Newburyport Ma I have always been satisfied with their produce, meats and baked goods.
I do agree their prices are not competitive but I have usually been satisfied with the courtesy of their employees