Survey: Customers Love Wegmans, Tops Nationally in Satisfaction

Customers of Wegmans grocery stores in Maryland and across the country love the chain for its service, price satisfaction, cleanliness and perishables.

Consumer Reports readers surveyed have for the fourth straight survey put Wegmans, Trader Joe's and Publix at the top of the rankings, while Walmart, Pathmark and Shaw's have been near the bottom.

On a 100-point scale, Wegmans scored 88 and Trader Joe's scored 87 on the Consumer Reports survey.

In its Supermarket Buying Guide article, Consumer Reports writes the following:

"Among the top stores were national grocers Costco (the no-frills warehouse club that offers great deals if you're willing to buy in bulk), Trader Joe's (a limited-assortment store that specializes in store brands and unusual goods), and Whole Foods (focusing on perishables, organics, and service), as well as regional players such as Wegmans (East), Publix (South), and survey newcomer Sprouts Farmers Markets (in eight Western states), which showcases fresh and whole-grain food."

According to the magazine, these are the top grocery shopping complaints:

• Not enough open checkouts;
• Congested or cluttered aisles;
• Out-of-stock advertised specials;
• Inept bagging;
• Missing prices;
• Scanner overcharges.

While shoppers praised Wal-Mart's low prices, Consumer Reports says Walmart Supercenters generate complaints about the "lack of open checkouts, out-of-stock regular items, indifferent employees, spotty pricing and confusing store layout."

Walmart Supercenter scored 67 on the 100-point scale.