Wegmans, Publix, Harps make Newsweek’s America’s Best Retailers list

Wegmans Food Markets, Publix Super Markets and Harps Food Stores garnered the top ratings for supermarkets in Newsweek’s 2022 America’s Best Retailers list.

Wegmans ranked first in the supermarket category with a score of 92.25, followed in the top five by Publix at 91.67, Harps at 89.62, Sprouts Farmers Market at 88.38 and Whole Foods Market at 87.67, according to this year’s Newsweek Best Retailers list.

In all, 13 grocery store chains made the list in two categories: supermarkets and discount supermarkets. Rounding out the 10 retailers in the supermarkets segment were Fresh Thyme Market at a score of 87.49 (No. 6), The Fresh Market at 87.39 (No. 7), WinCo Foods at 87.03 (No. 8), Kroger at 86.14 (No. 9) and Earth Fare at 85.21 (No. 10).

Leading the three discount supermarket chains on the Newsweek list was Trader Joe’s, with a score of 89.06, followed by 99 Cents Only Stores at 85.95 and Aldi at 84.63.

“We pride ourselves on providing our customers with a pleasurable shopping experience,  from knowledgeable, friendly associates and quality products to a convenient and clean shopping environment. Being named a ‘best retailer’ is a testament to our philosophy of treating customers like royalty,” Maria Brous, director of communications at Publix, said in a statement. Overall, Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix operates 1,295 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.

Related:Kroger, Sprouts, Publix recognized for loyalty programs

Based on a survey of more than 10,000 U.S. consumers who have shopped in-person inside retail stores in the past three years, Newsweek’s 2022 America’s Best Retailers list ranks companies according to five criteria — products, customer service, atmosphere, accessibility and shop layout — and the likelihood of respondent to recommend a retailer to friends and family. Overall, over 150,000 evaluations were collected on retailers in 39 categories. The top three to 10 retailers (based on category size) receiving the highest scores in each category were recognized as America’s Best Retailers for 2022.

Big-box grocery retailers also made Newsweek’s list in the superstores and warehouse clubs category. They were led by Costco Wholesale with a score of 88.05, Target at 86.55, Sam’s Club at 86.31, BJ’s Wholesale Club at 85.88 and Meijer at 85.87.

Leading grocers, too, were ranked in the list’s pharmacies and drugstores segment. They included Good Neighbor Pharmacy at No. 1 (score of 88.11), Giant Eagle Pharmacy at No. 2 (84.81), Walgreens at No. 3 (84.54), Walmart Pharmacy at No. 4 (84.50), and CVS Pharmacy at No. 5 (83.53).

Related:Walmart, Kroger rank as most-trusted U.S. grocery retailers

Wawa came in first in the America’s Best Retailers convenience store category, rating at a score of 89.87. Next up were sheetz at 88.30, Thorntons at 87.47, QuikTip at 86.91 and Pilot Flying J at 84.68.

“Over the last few years, a funny thing happened to brick-and-mortar retailing. It didn’t die. Not only that, it appears to be thriving as American retailing continues its recovery from the pandemic,” Newsweek Global Editor In Chief Nancy Cooper wrote in the 2022 America’s Best Retailers report. “All of which means, the experience of shopping in a store — the ability to touch and try different products in real life, to get sales help and advice, to enjoy the experience of browsing — is something customers still want and value.”

In total, 195 retailers were recognized on this year’s list. Other retail categories included department stores, apparel, footwear, fashion/accessories, jewelry, beauty, pet care, bookstores, consumer electronics, home goods, home improvement, toys, sporting goods and auto supplies, among others.