The 5 best grocery stores in America: Amazon and Trader Joe’s didn’t make the cut
The 5 best grocery stores in America, led by regional chains that beat Amazon and Trader Joe’s on value, loyalty, and trust
Americans are tightening their grocery budgets and recalibrating where they shop, as grocery shopping has become a weekly referendum on trust.
Prices fluctuate, budgets tighten, and loyalty gets tested aisle by aisle. Dunnhumby’s Retailer Preference Index combines consumer perception and financial performance to show how more than 70 grocery retailers are actually landing with shoppers. And as Food & Wine’s coverage of the results mentions, the biggest winners aren’t the biggest brands.
Regional grocery chains dominate the top of the list across both the eighth and ninth annual RPI reports. Amazon $AMZN and Trader Joe’s still loom large in the grocery conversation, but neither cracks the top five. The rankings suggest that when money feels tighter, shoppers prioritize consistent value and reliability over brand halo.
Here are the five grocery chains leading the way in America today.
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5) Aldi: solid discount pricing earns a top five spot
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According to the report, Aldi lands in the No. 5 position in the ninth annual RPI, driven by base pricing that consistently draws budget-conscious shoppers. The chain’s focus on low prices with limited promotions makes it a preferred choice in a tighter economy.
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4) Costco: warehouse value still resonates
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According to the report, Costco $COST holds the No. 4 spot in the 2026 rankings, maintaining strong loyalty for its bulk savings and private-brand value even as regional grocers climb ahead. Its continued presence near the top reflects how membership models still appeal under price pressure.
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3) WinCo: rising regional powerhouse
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In the eighth annual RPI, WinCo Foods cracked the top tier — jumping from No. 14 to No. 4 — by building strong customer perceptions around price and value, knocking Amazon $AMZN and Sam’s Club out of the top five, according to the report. It shows how discount-focused regional players can outpace big players when affordability is paramount.
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2) Market Basket: regional value leadership
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According to the report, Market Basket ranks second overall in the ninth annual ranking by combining competitive pricing with rewards and customer satisfaction that resonate particularly in New England. It’s an example of how regional familiarity compounds loyalty and fuels long-term market strength.
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1) H-E-B: America’s most preferred grocery store
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Texas-based H-E-B again tops the RPI, marking its fifth No. 1 finish in nine years, a testament to its consistent value proposition and connection to local needs, according to the report. Both the ninth and previous annual reports emphasize how H-E-B’s balanced performance across savings, quality, and customer perception fuels strong long-term growth.