The weekly shop is a great leveller. Rich or poor, young or old, we all rely on grocery stores for those weekly store cupboard essentials and last-minute dinner plans. But not all grocery stores deliver the same great level of customer service. To understand how consumers really feel about the nation’s grocery stores, we reviewed thousands of verified reviews on PissedConsumer.com to rank the best and the worst grocery stores in America, and highlight the real experiences behind the rankings. Our analysis focuses on how well supermarket chains resolve customer issues, how customers feel after the interaction, and whether consumers would recommend their top grocery stores in the USA to others. Content: List of the Worst Grocery Stores in the USA List of the Best Grocery Stores in the USA Grocery Stores Comparison Based on Customer Reviews What Are the Worst Grocery Stores in the USA? Based on consumer feedback collected by PissedConsumer, the American grocery stores that most frequently received complaints about poor customer service, unresolved issues, and low recommendation rates include Safeway, Aldi Grocery, Dollar General Corporation, Walmart, and Target. Company Recommendation, % CS Satisfaction, % Future Use, % Score Safeway 20 33.3 37 1003 Aldi Grocery 36 58.5 30 1245 Dollar General Corporation 18 57.3 52 1273 Walmart 27 56.1 51 1341 Target 42 63.8 37 1428 We calculated the ranking of the worst grocery stores in the USA based on the following factors: Low issue-resolution rates Below-average customer service satisfaction Weak recommendation intent Safeway: “Never leave without checking your receipt” With 802 reviews and an average rating of just 2.3 on PissedConsumer, Safeway is in the unenviable position of being ranked as the worst grocery store in the USA by the platform users. This brand has been a familiar name in American grocery shopping for more than a century. But just because the store has been around for a long time, doesn’t mean they always get things right. While Safeway is often praised in PissedConsumer reviews for its convenient locations and competitive pricing, negative customer reviews consistently highlight billing discrepancies and poor follow-up from customer support teams. This poor service was highlighted in this Safeway review, which suggested they were overcharged every time they visited the store. When attempting to go to customer service during the day, they are rude, roll their eyes, sarcastic, dismissive and will do just about anything to avoid helping customers. With only 20% of reviewers saying they would recommend Safeway and 37% saying they would shop there again, the retailer clearly has room for improvement if it wants to see more customers returning to its stores. Aldi Grocery: Complaints about poor in-store experience Aldi might be famous for their high-quality products, but with a PissedConsumer rating of just 3 stars out of 5, consumers suggest that Aldi’s customer service team is unprofessional. While Aldi hasn’t been on the US grocery scene for as long as the likes of Safeway, the European import has already clocked up enough negative reviews to rank it as PissedConsumers' second-worst grocery brand. Aldi’s low-cost model attracts budget-focused shoppers who praise the store for its good-quality own-brand products. However, Aldi’s lean staffing approach frequently fuels negative comments, with customers often reporting negative in-store interactions and challenges resolving payment or return issues. Several reviews on PissedConsumer highlight how consumers were treated badly at the checkout, including one Aldi review from a disabled man who had problems when the cashier refused to scan his items. As a relatively new brand to the US grocery scene, Aldi may need to dramatically increase the number of customers (currently just 30%) who recommend its service to capture the nation’s consumers’ hearts and minds as a preferred shopping destination. Dollar General Corporation: Customer service is not always on the money As one of the largest discount grocery stores in the United States, Dollar General Corporation operates thousands of small-format stores across urban, suburban, and rural communities. Known for its low prices and easy access to everyday essentials, the chain has become a go-to option for quick grocery trips and budget-conscious shoppers, particularly in areas underserved by larger supermarkets. However, that promise of convenience comes with trade-offs. Reviews on PissedConsumer frequently point to issues with Dollar General Corporation’s customer service, store conditions, and product quality. As the company continues to expand, consumer feedback, including reviews about untidy stores, suggests that maintaining consistent service standards remains an ongoing challenge. The prices are good but this store is always nasty and cluttered There are uboats all over you can not roll a buggy down the aisles and you can never find anything! There are empty food wrappers and drink bottles all over from where the employees eat and drink while they work that are left on the shelves and now there is a swarm of honey bees buzzing all over the store… Currently, only 18% of reviewers of Dollar General Corporation on PissedConsumer would recommend the store. This is the lowest recommendation score on the survey, suggesting that their problems are more deeply rooted than a clean-up in the aisles. Walmart: Big is not always better Walmart might be the largest and most dominant retailer in the United States, serving millions of consumers every day in its supercenters, neighborhood markets, and via its online platforms – but that doesn’t save it from appearing in PissedConsumer’s list of worst grocery stores. Unsurprisingly, Walmart has attracted over 15.7K reviews on PissedConsumer. It could be argued that Walmart’s size is both its strength and its weakness. While many shoppers shop at Walmart for affordability and convenience, customer reviews often highlight inconsistent service quality, long resolution times, and challenges with returns and online orders. While online shopping with Walmart has made the buying process quicker and more convenient for many consumers, when things go wrong, some shoppers suggest that customer support speeds can be more analog. Be careful when ordering with Walmart; they will not help you if your package has been stolen. If anything, they give you the runaround and tell you they will email you back within seven to ten business days. Target: “Humiliating and unprofessional” Target is another huge brand that may be disappointed to discover itself on this list of the worst grocery stores in the USA. This well-known retail chain blends grocery shopping with general merchandise. As such, shoppers are drawn to Target for its curated product selection, competitive pricing on everyday items, and the convenience of combining groceries with clothing, home goods, and electronics in a single trip. But this doesn’t mean that Target is immune to negative reviews. Online reviews on PissedConsumer frequently point to frustrations around Target’s customer service responsiveness, order accuracy, and payment or refund issues. Sometimes, the bad service feels more personal. In this (now resolved) case, the reviewer felt like they were treated with disrespect when trying to return a wrongly supplied product. My sister bought a sealed iPad from the Target store in Eatontown, NJ, and paid in cash. When we opened the box at home, it contained a Samsung tablet inside, clearly not the product we purchased. We returned to the store with the receipt, the box, and the Samsung tablet, expecting help. Instead, we were laughed at by the staff, accused of trying to scam them, and told nothing could be done. We were calm, respectful, and had all the proof in hand, including photos. It was humiliating and unprofessional. While Target is ranked amongst the worst grocery stores in the USA in the PissedConsumer survey, all is not lost. With a 63.80% customer support satisfaction rate and a 42% recommendation score, with a little more focus and resolution, there is no reason why they cannot move up into our next cohort of retailers. What Are the Best Grocery Stores in the USA? Now on to a much more positive list—the best grocery stores in the US. Based on consumer feedback collected by PissedConsumer, the grocery stores that earned higher rankings due to their stronger issue resolution, higher satisfaction scores, and better recommendations include Albertsons, Kroger, Costco, Food Lion, and Trader Joe's. Although there are still some customer reviews that demonstrate they don’t get everything right. Company Recommendation, % CS Satisfaction, % Future Use, % Score Albertsons 29 75.0 43 1470 Kroger 36 61.2 55 1522 Costco 51 70.6 38 1596 Food Lion 54 85.7 50 1897 Trader Joe’s 60 71.9 67 1989 Albertsons: Praised for convenient neighbourhood locations Known for its convenient neighborhood locations, wide selection of fresh produce, and regular promotions, Albertsons is one of the largest grocery chains in the United States. But is it one of the best grocery chains in the US? While customer reviews on PissedConsumer suggest concerns about store management and product freshness at times, some shoppers report the store performs well in customer service responsiveness and issue resolution. Albertsons immediately took action and investigated the charges. Within days after being notified that they cleared me of responsibility, I received full refund. While Albertsons scores a 75% customer service satisfaction rate, only 43% of reviewers said they would visit the store again, and only 29% would recommend the retailer to a friend or colleague. This may suggest that Albertsons cannot be complacent about its ranking amongst the nation’s best grocery stores. Kroger: Affordable price, good service Another big player in the US grocery market, Kroger operates a wide network of stores under multiple regional brands. The store is known for competitive pricing, loyalty rewards, and a strong private-label offering. As such, Kroger appeals to shoppers looking for affordability without sacrificing product variety or quality. Consumer reviews on PissedConsumer suggest that Kroger has a relatively structured approach to customer service, working across multiple support channels to resolve customer issues (as highlighted in review #6143057). Easy solution to my problem. This person was very accommodating and treated me respectfully and kind. Thank you While customer complaints still arise around payments, returns, and service delays, 61.2% of customers report that their consumer issues are ultimately addressed. This helps Kroger maintain solid recommendation (36%) and future use (55%) scores among major U.S. grocery retailers. Costco: Customer-friendly policies As a membership-based warehouse retailer, Costco has built a strong reputation around its bulk pricing, high-quality own-brand products, and no-frills shopping experience. Unlike traditional supermarkets, Costco keeps prices down by focusing on a carefully curated selection of groceries and household items while maintaining consistent product standards. Costco customer reviews on PissedConsumer frequently point to the store’s customer-friendly policies as a major differentiator between other grocery stores. Many agree that when consumer issues arise, Costco is more likely than most large retailers to resolve them quickly and cheerfully. This approach is highlighted in this review (#6128748), which reinforces Costco’s status as one of the more trusted grocery stores in the U.S. “Customer Service representative, Dawn (I think) was kind, patient, & understanding. I was a bit irate thinking my order was delivered to another house. She answered all questions kindly & patiently & mentioned mailbox. She then waited til I checked & thats where order was. I thanked her, but she was still patient & kind. The world needs more people like her.” With service like this, it’s easy to see why Costco has a customer service score of 70.6% on the PissedConsumer survey, with 51% of respondents saying they would recommend the store. Food Lion: A reliable, no-frills alternative to larger national chains Food Lion is a regional supermarket chain with a strong presence across the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The store is known for its affordable pricing, convenient neighborhood locations, and carrying a broad range of everyday grocery essentials. For many of its customers, Food Lion is recognized as a reliable, no-frills alternative to larger national chains. When negative Food Lion’s reviews on PissedConsumer do arise, these are most commonly around long checkout lines or limited staffing during peak hours. However, consumers often highlights Food Lion’s friendly staff, as in review #5894685: They both were so professional, dressed nicely, polite and efficient..I was so moved I ask them if I could give them something for their services; they both humbly declined. God bless them both! The quality of Food Lion’s staff is recognized by a customer service score of 85.7% (the highest on our survey), and more than 50% of reviewers stated that they would recommend the store and shop there again after leaving a review. Trader Joe’s: At the top of the best grocery store list Trader Joe’s tops our list as the best grocery store in America. The specialty grocery chain is known for its unique private-label products, curated selection, and distinctive in-store culture. Rather than competing with other brands on sheer scale, Trader Joe’s focuses on offering high-quality, affordable items (many of which are exclusive to the brand), which creates a loyal customer base. Again, consumer reviews on PissedConsumer consistently highlight Trader Joe’s friendly staff as one of the brand’s biggest strengths. Shoppers often describe positive in-store interactions and a relaxed atmosphere, although some express frustration when favorite products are discontinued or when stores become crowded. The staff member referenced in this review (#6329820), almost certainly deserves a bunch of flowers: Needed to know if flowers were organic or not. Customer service person was helpful and friendly. She answered my question and gave good info. With a 71.9% Customer Service rating, and the highest recommendation (60%) and future use (67%) scores, Trader Joe’s stands out amongst its competition as the best American grocery store. Grocery Stores Comparison Based on Customer Reviews While price and product selection might initially get the customer through the door of a store, it’s good customer service that determines whether they come back again. Our reviewers tell us that the best grocery stores in America are not those that never make mistakes, but the ones that resolve issues quickly and without making customers jump through hoops. With so many grocery stores to choose from, finding the right one can feel overwhelming. That’s why we created a detailed comparison chart for all 10 supermarkets in this report, combining survey results with real customer reviews from PissedConsumer to highlight where each brand truly stands on pricing, service, and overall experience. Company Category in the report Rating on PissedConsumer Number of reviews Common pros (from reviews) Common cons (from reviews) Safeway Worst list 2.3 802 Affordable price; convenient location; good experience Customer service; pricing; transparency Aldi Grocery Worst list 3.0 2.6k Affordable price; good service/product quality Customer service; returns/refund; packaging/delivery Dollar General Worst list 2.5 3.5k Affordable price; convenient location; easy to find online Customer service; product/service quality Walmart Worst list 2.4 15.7k Affordable price; good service/product quality; convenient location Customer service; payment; product/service quality Target Worst list 2.4 3.6k Affordable price; good service/product quality; online reviews Customer service; transparency; payment Albertsons Best list 2.3 498 Convenient location; affordable price Customer service; transparency Kroger Best list 2.6 1.7k Affordable price; convenient location; good service/product quality Customer service; payment; returns/refunds Costco Best list 2.9 2k Good service/product quality; affordable price; convenient location Customer service; product/service quality Food Lion Best list 2.7 478 Affordable price; convenient location; variety of products/services Customer service; long lines Trader Joe’s Best list 2.9 257 Convenient location; food selection Security; discontinued favorite products Are online reviews reliable? While individual customer reviews might be seen as subjective, patterns are not. PissedConsumer’s aggregated review insights reveal structural strengths and weaknesses that single experiences cannot expose. When thousands of customer reviews point to issues like delayed refunds, unhelpful staff, billing errors, or general poor levels of customer service, those signals become difficult for consumers and brands to ignore. Have you had a positive or negative experience with a US grocery store? Why not add to the bigger picture and write a review? Survey Methodology Consumer advocacy site PissedConsumer.com conducted an online survey of its users between November 2022 and November 2025. The survey collected feedback from 9,642 respondents across the United States, who shared their real customer experiences with the nation’s major grocery store brands. For this report, participants were asked to evaluate their interactions with customer service agents across several key areas. While the original survey covered multiple aspects of the consumer experience, this study highlights three core questions: Did the customer service representative resolve your issue? How satisfied were you with the customer service representative you spoke to? How likely would you recommend the company to a friend or colleague? To ensure the results were statistically meaningful, only companies with a minimum of 50 responses per question were included in the final rankings.