TEWKSBURY, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) – Market Basket is the second-best grocery story in the nation, according to a new ranking.
The dunnhumby Retailer Preference Index (RPI) scored grocery stores on their financial success versus and how customers feel about the stores.
The Tewksbury-based Market Basket finished second overall, only behind HEB based in Texas. Rounding out the top three is Woodman's, a chain based out of Wisconsin.
Costco, Aldi, Trader Joe’s, Amazon, Wegmans, Walmart, Sam’s Club and BJ’s were also listed in the top twenty.
According to the study, regional chains on the list did the best job of building in prices that can weather the ups and downs of the market. This allows customers to know what they are going to be paying for the same things every week.
The emotional connection with the grocery stores, though, was a real tangible measurement for the study. Market Basket was ranked as a “unicorn” because customers love shopping there. They lead in both perception of quality, as well as perception of price.
Price is a big focus for customers, according to the study. Shoppers are still frustrated with the cost of groceries that started to creep up in 2022 and haven’t recovered in the years since. Shoppers finding a store that gives them “More For Your Dollar” is important, especially if they don’t have to use any rewards points or coupons, analysts said.
This is the second time that Market Basket has been ranked 2 in this study that started nine years ago. The study looks at the approximately $1 trillion U.S. grocery market.