Walk into the wrong grocery store these days, and you might leave with empty shelves, high prices, and a strong urge to write a one-star review.
A new report reveals just how frustrated US shoppers have become — and which grocery chains are bearing the brunt of their anger.
Researchers analyzed more than 3,000 stores in over 100 cities, using Yelp and Google reviews. Only locations with at least 1,000 customer ratings were included.
Some of the nation’s biggest chains are taking the most heat. Walmart emerged as the worst offender, with six of the ten lowest-rated grocery stores in the country. Kroger wasn’t far behind, as customers complained about confusing pricing, understaffing, and deteriorating store conditions.
It might be easy to assume that retail giants like Walmart and Kroger are simply more likely to attract bad reviews due to their sheer number of stores. But they’re noticeably absent from the top-rated list — while rivals like Trader Joe’s dominate.
The ratings looked at individual stores, rather than ranking chain across all its locations. Scroll down for a list of the worst and best ten.
Shoppers at the worst-ranked Giant Eagle Supermarket in Pittsburgh, PA complained about long checkout lines, busy parking lots, and closed bathrooms.
‘It’s like they’re trying to live up to their “worst grocery story in America” title,’ one customer complained in a one-star Google review.
A Pennsylvania Giant Eagle was ranked last place in the ranking (stock image)
‘Every time I shop here I find expired food on the shelves and encounter some type of unsettling interaction.’
Overall, the shop garnered a 3.5 out of five-star rating.
Colorado stood out as the most disgruntled state, with more poorly reviewed locations than anywhere else.
Customers on Reddit weren’t surprised to see some of their local Colorado stores on the list.
‘Denver seriously lacks good grocery stores,’ one Redditor commented.
‘Grocery shopping used to be somewhat therapeutic for me before I lived in Denver. Now I avoid going into the store as much as I can.’
The data paints a grim picture of rising discontent in the grocery aisle. Americans are grappling with higher prices, fewer deals, and what many describe as a declining shopping experience. Add in failed mergers, safety concerns, and shrinking selections — and it’s no wonder shoppers are souring on their local store.
Meanwhile, as Walmart and Kroger struggled with poor ratings, Trader Joes shoppers handed the fan-favorite brand some dominant scores, the report, put together by Solitaired, found.
A website compiled the best and worst rated grocery stores in the US – Texas performed particularly well
Walmart’s Supercenters were well-represented in the worst-rated list
Trader Joe’s was dominant in the best-rated category
‘I love going to this store,’ a customer wrote about America’s best-rated grocery store in a five-star Google review.
‘The customer service is awesome. I always find my usuals and the store is nice and clean.’
Trader Joe’s performance isn’t a massive surprise: the grocery chain recently received the crown for the most-loved grocery brand in America.
Customers gave the brand an 84 percent satisfaction rating when polled during the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) survey.
Other national surveys have given some favorable ratings to smaller Southern grocery brands.
Texas-based H-E-B took the top spot in an another annual ranking of the largest grocery stores, adding to the state’s grocery supremacy.
Meanwhile, a larger scope survey found that customers loved New York City-based Great Wall Supermarket, an Asian American supermarket chain.
The chain topped the list of America’s Best Retailers in 2024, dethroning Wegmans from the crown in 2023.
