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Shoppers Prefer Smaller Grocers

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Consumer Reports [via Reuters] confirms our suspicion that mega-box grocers underwhelm, and it’s preferable to pay a little more for a pleasant experience.

“The few chains that were spotless, offered standout meat and produce, and had helpful and friendly staff and quick checkout” according to Consumer Reports.

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Comments

  1. Admittedly the data integrity in the article is pretty thin. To your point though, the other 86% don’t shop at Wal-Mart and, by your rationale, don’t place price as the #1 factor.

    I’ve heard Costco has good service. I think it’s comparing apples to oranges. Costco is a different experience from H-E-B or typical supermarket.

  2. Interesting article, bad headline. It appears that big box stores like Publix and Costco fare well (I remember Harris Teeter being pretty big as well):

    Besides privately held Wegmans and Trader Joe’s, other chains that received high marks were Publix Super Markets Inc, Raley’s, Ruddick Corp’s Harris Teeter, Fareway, Costco Wholesale Corp, Whole Foods Market, Market Basket, WinCo Foods, and Stater Bros, according to Consumer Reports.

    But the money quote from the article is this one:

    Wal-Mart, the chain where the highest percentage of survey respondents shopped — 14 percent, landed near the bottom of the ratings, with low scores for service and perishables.

    So it seems like price is still the #1 factor for shoppers.