Consumer Reports Supermarket Ratings: Shop Smart and Save Big
To help you stretch your grocery dollar -- the average U.S. family spends about $5,000 per year -- our latest supermarket feature couldn't come at a better time. Our reporter's shopping expeditions prove that you can save hundreds, even thousands of dollars per year.
Best Supermarkets -- Consumer Reports
Next time you go grocery shopping, make sure you're getting the best prices and services by checking out these tips and exclusive ratings of 59 supermarkets from Consumer Reports.
No. 1: Wegmans
Overall Satisfaction: 87
Service: Above Average
Perishables: Above Average
Price: Average
Cleanliness: Above Average
No. 2: Trader Joe's
Overall Satisfaction: 86
Service: Above Average
Perishables: Average
Price: More Affordable Than Average
Cleanliness: Slightly Above Average
No. 3: Publix
Overall Satisfaction: 84
Service: Slightly Above Average
Perishables: Slightly Above Average
Price: Average
Cleanliness: Slightly Above Average
No. 4: Raley's
Overall Satisfaction: 84
Service: Above Average
Perishables: Slightly Above Average
Price: Average
Cleanliness: Slightly Above Average
No. 5: Harris Teeter
Overall Satisfaction: 82
Service: Slightly Above Average
Perishables: Slightly Above Average
Price: Slightly More Expensive
Cleanliness: Slightly Above Average
No. 6: Fareway
Overall Satisfaction: 81
Service: Slightly Above Average
Perishables: Slightly Above Average
Price: Slightly More Affordable
Cleanliness: Average
No. 7: Costco
Overall Satisfaction: 81
Service: Average
Perishables: Slightly Above Average
Price: More Affordable
Cleanliness: Average
No. 8: Whole Foods Market
Overall Satisfaction: 81
Service: Slightly Above Average
Perishables: Above Average
Price: More Expensive
Cleanliness: Slightly Above Average
No. 9: Market Basket
Overall Satisfaction: 81
Service: Average
Perishables: Average
Price: More Affordable
Cleanliness: Average
Our Consumer Reports National Research Center survey of 32,599 subscribers reveals big differences among 59 national and regional chains. Some were far better than others at offering low prices (Trader Joe's, Costco, Market Basket, WinCo, Aldi, and Sav-a-Lot), praiseworthy meat and produce (Wegmans and Whole Foods), or top service (Wegmans, Trader Joe's, and Raley's).
In the stores
Our survey also reaffirms that it's difficult to find a perfect store. The few chains that were spotless, offered standout meat and produce, and had a helpful and friendly staff earned average scores for price, at best. The least expensive markets generally offered so-so perishables and service.
Our survey also reaffirms that it's difficult to find a perfect store. The few chains that were spotless, offered standout meat and produce, and had a helpful and friendly staff earned average scores for price, at best. The least expensive markets generally offered so-so perishables and service.
That was true even among nationwide chains Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Walmart, Target, Costco, and Sam's Club. Whole Foods was seen as more expensive than other stores with a national presence. And although Costco scored highly for nonfoods in another of our surveys (see Big retailers), it and Sam's Club have minimal service, carry a limited assortment of mostly bulk items, and charge $40 to $50 per year to shop. Trader Joe's sells a narrow selection of mostly its own brands. Walmart, the nation's largest grocer and the supermarket where the highest percentage of survey respondents shopped (14 percent), landed near the bottom of the Ratings, with low scores for service and perishables. Target proved better than many chains but has only 200 locations with a full grocery store inside.
Overall, grocers earned higher marks than in our 2005 survey for service, checkout speed, and quality of store brands, baked goods, and produce. But respondents still had complaints, mostly about too few open checkout lanes. Walmart was the worst offender: Half of the respondents who shopped there said that not enough lanes were open. Other leading gripes: congested aisles and out-of-stock advertised specials. One-third of all respondents switched stores, usually in search of lower prices.
Wherever you shop, you can find good deals in this sagging economy. Like consumers, retailers are facing tough times, and they realize that they help themselves when they help customers make ends meet. Here are the trends that could save you money and make shopping easier:
More store brands
Almost all supermarkets offer store brands, and 66 percent of survey respondents told us they'd bought such products in the past month. Store brands sell for 25 percent less, on average, than the big brands, partly because they don't carry heavy product-development and promotion costs, says Jim Hertel, a managing partner with Willard Bishop, a food retail-consulting firm. Increasingly, stores are putting their own names on prepared meals, cold cuts, baked goods, fancy sauces, and organic goods in addition to the usual canned fruit, frozen veggies, and paper towels. Over the years, Consumer Reports' tests have found many store brands to be at least as good as national brands. Indeed, 70 percent of those surveyed said they were highly satisfied with the quality of store brands they'd purchased.
Almost all supermarkets offer store brands, and 66 percent of survey respondents told us they'd bought such products in the past month. Store brands sell for 25 percent less, on average, than the big brands, partly because they don't carry heavy product-development and promotion costs, says Jim Hertel, a managing partner with Willard Bishop, a food retail-consulting firm. Increasingly, stores are putting their own names on prepared meals, cold cuts, baked goods, fancy sauces, and organic goods in addition to the usual canned fruit, frozen veggies, and paper towels. Over the years, Consumer Reports' tests have found many store brands to be at least as good as national brands. Indeed, 70 percent of those surveyed said they were highly satisfied with the quality of store brands they'd purchased.
More visible value brands
Look for more "second tier," or price-oriented, store brands selling for about 35 percent less, on average, than national brands. The names stress value and shopping savvy: A&P's Savings Plus and Smart Price, Safeway's Basic Red, Bashas' Valu Time, and Food Lion's Smart Option.
Look for more "second tier," or price-oriented, store brands selling for about 35 percent less, on average, than national brands. The names stress value and shopping savvy: A&P's Savings Plus and Smart Price, Safeway's Basic Red, Bashas' Valu Time, and Food Lion's Smart Option.
Expanded bonus-card programs
Next to purchasing store brands, using a bonus card is the surest way to save at most chains. According to the Food Marketing Institute, a trade group, half of retailers now offer customers savings through card programs, with discounts such as two-for-one sales, members-only specials, and reward points toward future purchases. Giant Food Stores, for example, doubles the value of manufacturers' coupons for members. And during a recent promotion at Vons, cardholders who spent $100 received $1.50 off their gas purchase at participating stations. Of the 56 percent of survey respondents who belong to a shopper's club, 87 percent were satisfied with membership-related savings.
Next to purchasing store brands, using a bonus card is the surest way to save at most chains. According to the Food Marketing Institute, a trade group, half of retailers now offer customers savings through card programs, with discounts such as two-for-one sales, members-only specials, and reward points toward future purchases. Giant Food Stores, for example, doubles the value of manufacturers' coupons for members. And during a recent promotion at Vons, cardholders who spent $100 received $1.50 off their gas purchase at participating stations. Of the 56 percent of survey respondents who belong to a shopper's club, 87 percent were satisfied with membership-related savings.
More coupons
If you aren't clipping coupons for items you buy regularly, you're overspending. The average manufacturer's grocery coupon had a face value of $1.08, according to NCH Marketing, a coupon-processing firm. In 2008, 281 billion manufacturers' coupons were distributed, and 2.6 billion were redeemed. Yet about 30 percent of survey respondents said they hadn't used coupons within the past month. Most coupons are still to be found in newspapers and magazines, but some manufacturers offer them through Web-site downloads. Procter & Gamble, for instance, has coupons on its own site and on those of participating retailers. Dedicated coupon sites at www.coolsavings.com, www.coupons.com, www.smartsource.com, and www.shortcuts.com are worth a try, too. But they ask for personal information.
If you aren't clipping coupons for items you buy regularly, you're overspending. The average manufacturer's grocery coupon had a face value of $1.08, according to NCH Marketing, a coupon-processing firm. In 2008, 281 billion manufacturers' coupons were distributed, and 2.6 billion were redeemed. Yet about 30 percent of survey respondents said they hadn't used coupons within the past month. Most coupons are still to be found in newspapers and magazines, but some manufacturers offer them through Web-site downloads. Procter & Gamble, for instance, has coupons on its own site and on those of participating retailers. Dedicated coupon sites at www.coolsavings.com, www.coupons.com, www.smartsource.com, and www.shortcuts.com are worth a try, too. But they ask for personal information.
Extra-value coupons
If you live in a fiercely competitive market such as the New York metropolitan area, you might benefit from a price war in which chains double or triple manufacturers' coupons, usually those of up to 99 cents. Near our Yonkers, N.Y., headquarters, we've seen A&P, Waldbaum's, Pathmark (all owned by A&P), and ShopRite dangling such incentives.
If you live in a fiercely competitive market such as the New York metropolitan area, you might benefit from a price war in which chains double or triple manufacturers' coupons, usually those of up to 99 cents. Near our Yonkers, N.Y., headquarters, we've seen A&P, Waldbaum's, Pathmark (all owned by A&P), and ShopRite dangling such incentives.
Web-site specials
Today's more sophisticated sites let shoppers see the current store flyer, print out coupons, and create customized shopping lists. Price Chopper's site, for example, features recipes for feeding your family for around $5 per person per meal. Move your cursor over items in Hannaford's flyer and you'll see the regular price, sale price, and the savings between the two. Web sites are also making shopping more convenient. The Food Marketing Institute estimates that 44 percent of supermarkets let shoppers submit orders electronically. At some branches of chains such as Albertsons and Harris Teeter, store employees will gather your groceries and load them into your car when you drive up. At select King Soopers, Hy-Vee, and others, they'll deliver. Pickup service typically costs $5 to $10; delivery, about twice as much.
Today's more sophisticated sites let shoppers see the current store flyer, print out coupons, and create customized shopping lists. Price Chopper's site, for example, features recipes for feeding your family for around $5 per person per meal. Move your cursor over items in Hannaford's flyer and you'll see the regular price, sale price, and the savings between the two. Web sites are also making shopping more convenient. The Food Marketing Institute estimates that 44 percent of supermarkets let shoppers submit orders electronically. At some branches of chains such as Albertsons and Harris Teeter, store employees will gather your groceries and load them into your car when you drive up. At select King Soopers, Hy-Vee, and others, they'll deliver. Pickup service typically costs $5 to $10; delivery, about twice as much.
Longer sales
Apart from their weekly specials, some chains have extended or frozen sale prices. Weis Markets, for instance, dropped the price of thousands of staples for 90 days this spring, Pathmark identifies its longer-term markdowns as "Price Hold" deals. Pathmark, in fact, unveiled a whole new type of store last year aimed squarely at cost-conscious shoppers. The chain's Price Impact format emphasizes those price-hold bargains, as well as less-expensive store brands, economical family packs, "yellow tag" savings (5,000 weekly specials), and "power priced" goods that represent the deepest discounts of the week.
Apart from their weekly specials, some chains have extended or frozen sale prices. Weis Markets, for instance, dropped the price of thousands of staples for 90 days this spring, Pathmark identifies its longer-term markdowns as "Price Hold" deals. Pathmark, in fact, unveiled a whole new type of store last year aimed squarely at cost-conscious shoppers. The chain's Price Impact format emphasizes those price-hold bargains, as well as less-expensive store brands, economical family packs, "yellow tag" savings (5,000 weekly specials), and "power priced" goods that represent the deepest discounts of the week.
Drug discounts
This past winter, many chains with pharmacies, including Wegmans, Stop & Shop, and Giant, offered consumers free generic antibiotics with a doctor's prescription. Year round, you'll discover a growing number of supermarkets selling low-cost generic drugs. Walmart, Target, Bashas', and Kroger are among the chains charging $4 for a month's supply of commonly prescribed generics.
This past winter, many chains with pharmacies, including Wegmans, Stop & Shop, and Giant, offered consumers free generic antibiotics with a doctor's prescription. Year round, you'll discover a growing number of supermarkets selling low-cost generic drugs. Walmart, Target, Bashas', and Kroger are among the chains charging $4 for a month's supply of commonly prescribed generics.
2009-04-13 11:13:00
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Supermarket Sound Off
These days there are plenty of grocery stores to choose from when it's time to stock your cupboard. So where do you love to shop? And what stores do you avoid at all costs?
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