New research says these are America’s favorite grocery stores

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Grocery shopping can be a headache sometimes (Sunday afternoons, am I right?), but it’s a totally necessary part of your week if you’re sticking to a budget.

Well, a new survey has revealed America’s favorite grocery stores, plus a few that are less popular. How does your favorite store stack up?

This data was compiled by Morning Consult Intelligence, a market research firm that surveyed nearly 200,000 people starting in January. They asked the survey takers to rate each brand as favorable or unfavorable—here’s what they learned.

One note: You won’t see some grocery stores listed here, such as Walmart or Target. That’s because Morning Consult Intelligence considers them more “general retail,” according to spokesman Jeff Cartwright.

5. Publix Super Markets

Net favorability score: 33 percent

What it means: Publix did the worst among people making less than $50,000 a year, with just 37 percent of respondents in that category rating is as favorable. Similarly, just 6 percent of respondents who made more than $100,000 a year gae Publix an unfavorable rating.

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4. Albertsons

Net favorability score: 33 percent

What it means: Albertson’s performed the best among people who make more than $100,000 a year, with 51 percent of respondents in that category giving it a favorable rating. Roughly 10-11 percent of all respondents rated Albertson’s unfavorably.

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3. Safeway

Net favorability score: 40 percent

What it means: Interestingly, the people who gave Safeway the highest marks were those earning between $50,000 and $100,000 a year, with around 54 percent of people in that bracket giving Safeway a favorable rating. Roughly 47 percent who make less than $50,000 a year and 51 percent of people who make more than $100,000 a year gave it a favorable rating.

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2. Whole Foods

Net favorability score: 48 percent

What it means: Whole Foods wasn’t far behind the No. 1 spot. The only difference? More people—13 percent to be exact—rated Whole Foods as unfavorable. (Could it be their “Whole Paycheck” reputation coming back to haunt them again?) Whole Foods got the highest marks among people who make more than $100,000 a year, with 72 percent of people in the category giving it a favorable rating.

Getty Images | Justin Sullivan

1. Kroger

Net favorability score: 53 percent

What it means: Kroger came out on top in the America’s Most Loved Brands survey. Very few respondents—just 9 percent—said they had an unfavorable opinion of Kroger. Even fewer people gave Kroger an unfavorable rating if they made more than $100,000 a year, with just 7 percent of respondents in that category giving it an unfavorable rating.

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About the Author

Sarah Kuta

Sarah Kuta is an award-winning writer and editor based in Colorado. She writes regularly about how to find deals, save money and find side gigs. Reach her at sarah@dontwasteyourmoney.com. More.

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