Walmart Is America’s Primary Grocer, But Ranks Last on Trust and Customer Satisfaction

Walmart is everywhere you look across the nation, with 4,606 retail locations in the U.S. according to the company’s website, alongside 600 Sam’s Club stores.

A recent report from Market Force, per Produce Blue Book, outlined the current state of the American grocery business. Some of the results may not be that surprising to even the most casual of observers, but other data points call for greater consideration.

Walmart Is the Leading Primary Grocery Store, But There Are Complications

According to the results of the Market Force poll — one which surveyed more than 4,300 U.S. consumers, as Chain Store Age detailed — Walmart emerged victorious as the primary grocer among all competitors, beating out Kroger, ALDI, Costco, and Publix among the top five.

What drove consumers to choose Walmart above the rest? Some indicators from the study emerged as likely instigators, with 62% of those polled citing convenience as their primary motivating factor influencing their choice. With so many locations in so many cities and towns from coast to coast, Walmart is certainly a convenient and accessible option for most consumers. The blue-and-yellow brand is also known for its consistently low prices.

Walmart didn’t escape from the survey with a perfect record, however.

“While Walmart dominates the market, its success isn’t driven by customer satisfaction or trust — it ranks last in both measures. Instead, its expansive store network and unbeatable value offerings make it a go-to choice for budget-conscious families,” the Market Force press release stated.

Nearly One-Fifth of Consumers Consider Switching Grocery Stores

Given the number of competitors in the grocery space, it should be of little surprise that nearly 20% of respondents indicated they would consider switching grocery stores. Of those that said so, better quality meat and produce, and the ability to one-stop shop, were listed as the primary reasons to make the switch, per Supermarket News.

And while H-E-B, Publix, Trader Joe’s, and Wegmans all nabbed positive reviews from customers, it seems that an increasingly cash-strapped and time-conscious consumer may simply be looking for the lowest price and the quickest process possible as the holiday season continues.

“As households navigate the holiday rush, brands that focus on convenience, pricing, and consistently delivering a great shopping experience are best positioned to win customer loyalty and trust. With the average household grocery budget at an all-time high, the stakes are higher than ever,” Market Force concluded.