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Consumer Reports always delivers the information that shoppers need to know: what's out there, what is (and isn't) good about it and whether or not it is worth the price or time involved. More often than not, they are evaluating products, but in a recent study, they took a look at some of the stores that sell them.
Based on a survey of more than 20,000 consumers, CR found that the three most important things to grocery shoppers were "short lines, low prices, [fresh] produce," though good service and clean stores were also important. Most shoppers went to multiple stores each week or each month to pick up all the things they needed, shopping for produce at one store and dry goods at another. But using these criteria as a baseline, five supermarkets came out ahead: Wegmans Food Markets, Trader Joe's, Publix Super Markets, Raley's and Whole Foods Markets. All five had a desirable combination of qualities that kept shoppers coming back regularly.
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9-04-2006 @12:24PM Jennifer said... And, of course, I have access to none of these.
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9-04-2006 @12:36PM ben said... haha, neither do I! whole foods is just too crowded here in NYC even if i were to ride the subway all the way there.
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9-04-2006 @1:58PM rainey said... Shortly after I left Florida Publix markets were severely fined for selling mislabled and substandard meat to the public. Beyond that, I found the stores ordinary and forgettable. It's hard for me to understand how they've been singled out for quality.
OTOH, while in Florida, I shopped regularly at Gooding's flagship store in Bay Hill. I've never had another shopping experience like it. The ends of the aisles looked like fine old libraries. Carpeted floors made made the store a quiet and relaxed experience. People perched on the generous edge of a large fountain to eat their deli selections or drink their fresh-brewed coffee. The produce section had a whole area devoted to fresh and dried mushrooms the variety of which I've never seen elsewhere except in lavish cookbooks. I can still remember the rich smell of mushroom that pervaded the area. Live fish were sold from a number of aquaria mounted in a marble wall. And on every shelf the quality of the packaged foods offered was unqualified.
I know ordinary Goodings were nothing like the flagship store, but to elevate Publix without note of Goodings is incomprehensible to me.
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9-04-2006 @2:47PM random said... Whole Foods is insanely crowded here in Austin because it's both a grocery store and a tourist spot. Too bad HEB's upscale Central Market stores didn't get considered. I would wager that Central Market is more appreciated here for its larger selection of food and slightly cheaper prices than the more narrow "gourmet health food" focus of Whole Foods.
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9-04-2006 @3:06PM Adriane said... If you're ever up in New England, The Woodstock Farmers Market in Woodstock, VT is a killer place. Ok ok, so I work there and my mom is part owner. But we have always prided ourselves on fresh ingredients and try to bring in local whenever possible from apples, maple syrup, organic greens and veggies, free-range chicken...etc etc. At any rate- it's a store that certainly rivals many upscale markets you find in the city.
Check it out if you're interested: www.woodstockfarmersmarket.com
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9-04-2006 @5:24PM Elise said... Raley's is a Northern California supermarket chain, with stores in Nevada and New Mexico. It's based in my home town, Sacramento, and I could easily walk to the store in our neighborhood. What I love about it are the friendly, helpful employees and the fact that they have a great natural foods section. They were one of the first big chain supermarkets to include a substantial section on health foods, and they also offer organic produce. I'm not surprised they made the list.
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9-04-2006 @7:14PM JeffL said... I went to school in upstate New York, I now live in NorCal, and I have family in Florida. I've shopped at every one of those markets, and they're right -- they are all great!
But mostly, I just wanted to brag that I've shopped at them all.
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9-04-2006 @7:17PM Mike said... Wegman's is absolutely wonderful!!!! Although they do serve a limited location, they are expanding. They are mostly found in central NY and PA. That is one of the things I miss most about moving to NYC.
Whole Foods is definitely crowded. It is convenient that I walk by it on the way home from work. Prices are a bit high, but isn't everything in NYC?!
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9-07-2006 @12:09PM Jenn said... I grew up in Western NY, went to college in South Florida and now live in NC. I have to say that Wegmans is by far the best grocery store I have ever shopped at. Publix tries hard to imitate them, but its not the real thing. I have known people who have worked at both groceries and no one has ever said anything negative about Wegmans but I was always warned about buying meat at Publix, I heeded that warning especially since it came from people who worked in their warehouse!! I'm suprised they made the top 5. Here in NC I have yet to find a grocery store that I like. I'm using Harris Teeter, wonder how they faired?
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9-05-2006 @4:53PM Amy Z said... The only one I have access to is Whole Foods (in Saint Paul, MN). And I've had the same experience as the others here - WAY to crowded. Even at off hours. I tried it twice, and even though they have more organic food than my other choices I just can't go back. I really don't want to wait just to park when I go shopping.
I have found Kowalski's to be the best store in my area. A good produce section, roomy aisles, great variety, professional and efficient check-out clerks and they carry your bags to the car for you and don't expect tips. When you give them one they seem really surprised.
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