Grocery Stores Near You in the United States and Top 15 Grocery Chains
There are lots of grocery stores everywhere in the United States. However, every business including grocery stores has something that makes them unique.
You shall get a list of all the National and Regional grocery chains. And also, the top 15 grocery stores in the United States.
National Chains
- Albertsons – Operates under the following brands:
- Safeway (AK, AZ, CA, CO, DC, DE, HI, ID, MD, MT, NE, NV, NM, OR, SD, VA, WA, and WY)
- Albertsons (AZ, AR, CA, CO, ID, LA, MT, NV, NM, ND, OR, TX, UT, WA, and WY)
- Vons (CA and NV)
- Pavilions (CA)[1]
- Jewel-Osco (IA, IL, and IN)
- Acme Markets (CT, DE, MD, NJ, NY, and PA)
- Shaw’s (MA, ME, NH, RI, and VT)
- Local brands include Andronico’s (CA), Carrs (AK), Haggen (WA), Lucky (UT), Pavilions (CA), Randalls (TX), Star Market (MA), Tom Thumb (TX), and United Supermarkets (TX)
- Ahold Delhaize – operates under the following brands:
- Food Lion (Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia)
- Stop & Shop (Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island)
- Giant Food Stores (Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia) also known as Martin’s Food Markets
- Hannaford (Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont)
- Giant Food (Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia)
- Kroger – Besides the parent company, stores operate under these brands:
- Harris Teeter (D.C, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia)
- King Soopers (Colorado and Wyoming)
- Roundy’s (Illinois and Wisconsin)
- Smith’s Food and Drug (Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming)
- Fred Meyer (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington)
- QFC (Oregon and Washington)
- Ruler Foods (Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee)
- Food 4 Less (California, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Nevada)
- City Market (Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming)
- Local brands include Baker’s (NE), Dillons (KS), Fry’s (AZ), Gerbes (MO), JayC Food Stores (IN), Mariano’s Fresh Market (IL), Owen’s (IN), Pay Less Super Markets (IN) and Ralphs (CA)
- Target
- Walmart
- Walmart Neighborhood Market
- Sam’s Club
Regional Chains
West
Name | Areas served | Year founded | Headquarters | Other notable brands |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bashas’ | Arizona and New Mexico | 1932 | Chandler, Arizona | AJ’s Fine Foods |
Raley’s | California, Nevada | 1935 | West Sacramento, California | Bel Air Markets, Nob Hill Foods |
Save Mart | California, Nevada | 1952 | Modesto, California | Lucky, Lucky California, FoodMaxx, Maxx Value Foods |
Smart & Final | California, Nevada, Arizona | 1871 | Commerce, California | |
WinCo Foods | Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington | 1967 | Boise, Idaho |
Midwest
Name | Areas served | Year founded | Headquarters | Other notable brands |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fareway | Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota | 1938 | Boone, Iowa | |
Hy-Vee | Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin | 1930 | West Des Moines, Iowa | |
Meijer | Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin | 1934 | Walker, Michigan | |
Schnucks | Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin | 1939 | St. Louis, Missouri | |
SpartanNash | Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin | 1917 | Byron Center, Michigan | D&W Fresh Market, Econofoods |
Northeast
Name | Areas served | Year founded | Headquarters |
---|---|---|---|
Giant Eagle | Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Indiana | 1931 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
Market Basket | Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine | 1917 | Tewksbury, Massachusetts |
Price Chopper/ Market 32 | Upstate New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire | 1932 | Schenectady, New York |
Price Rite | Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island | 1995 | Keasbey, New Jersey |
ShopRite | Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania | 1946 | Keasbey, New Jersey |
Tops | Upstate New York, Vermont and Northern Pennsylvania | 1962 | Amherst, New York |
Weis Markets | Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, West Virginia, Virginia, and Delaware | 1912 | Sunbury, Pennsylvania |
Wegmans | Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina | 1916 | Rochester, New York |
South
Name | Areas served | Year founded | Headquarters |
---|---|---|---|
Brookshire’s | Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana | 1928 | Tyler, Texas |
Brookshire Brothers | Texas and Louisiana | 1921 | Lufkin, Texas |
Food City | Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia | 1955 | Abingdon, Virginia |
Harps Food Stores | Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma | 1930 | Springdale, Arkansas |
H-E-B | Texas | 1905 | San Antonio, Texas |
Ingles Markets | Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia | 1963 | Black Mountain, North Carolina |
Piggly Wiggly | Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin | 1916 | Keene, New Hampshire |
Publix | Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia | 1930 | Lakeland, Florida |
Southeastern Grocers – BI-LO, Harvey’s, Winn-Dixie |
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina | 2013 | Jacksonville, Florida |
The Top 15 Grocery Stores in the U.S.
Grocery stores might all sell food, but what sets them apart is their selection, customer service commitment, and overall environment. But which one is the best?
Walmart is an American retail corporation that operates chains of hypermarkets. Also, discount department stores and grocery stores.
Headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, Walmart was founded by Sam Walton in 1962 and officially opened in 1969.
As of July 31, 2021, Walmart has 10,524 stores and clubs in 24 countries. Operating under 48 different names.
Mostly concentrated in the northeastern United States, Stop & Shop has a generally positive rap.
“It’s a fairly massive supermarket with a fairly decent selection of products and fairly high prices to go with that selection,” one customer wrote on Yelp.
“The meat department isn’t bad. And the deli area is extensive and staffed by very helpful people who will go out of their way to help you out.”
Fair enough.
Safeway is pretty safe as far as grocery stores go. It’s not really super notable.
But popular enough to make the list.
One thing that’s interesting about Safeway, though, is the pricing. A recent review of Safeway versus Whole Foods found Safeway was actually a bit more expensive than the store nicknamed “Whole Paycheck.”
In WH’s defense, there are plenty of surprisingly cheap eats from Whole Foods!
Another store you might not be familiar with unless you’re in the northeast. Giant Food Stores is pretty average when it comes to all the different survey points on the list. But fans love its focus on diversity.
The stores try to reflect the neighborhoods it calls home. And isn’t as cookie-cutter with how each store presents its products.
A gem to many Midwest folks. It’s practically a pastime to hang out in Meijer if you’re a teenager in Michigan. Meijer scores high on customer service and selection.
But unlike many grocery stores, Meijer is doubling down on the “big box” stores. Instead of making smaller locations.
“They’re continuing to do (big-box) stores because that’s what they do best.” Jon Springer, an editor at Supermarket News, told Crain’s Chicago Business.
“They have a reputation for that kind of store, and they operate them well.” The downside?
Meijer typically prices its items a wee bit higher than other big boxes like Walmart.
The overwhelming benefit of ShopRite is the value, according to customers. “You can never beat the ShopRite prices anywhere else in northern New Jersey,” a happy customer wrote on Yelp.
“Stop & Shop prices [are] way too high! Acme [has] rotten meat, plus super-high prices. Pathmark is about as good as ShopRite, but ShopRite has its Can-Can sale.
Which I always stock up on all canned foods.”
7. WinCo Foods
Unlike many of the stores on this list, they primarily based WinCo Foods along the west coast. Mostly in California, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Washington.
The secret to its success, according to Forbes, is its commitment to employee ownership. According to the magazine, several employees. Ranging from stock boys to cashiers—have multi-million dollar retirement accounts.
Courtesy of the company.
When employees are literally invested in the success of their company, that means better service. And a better shopping experience.
Kroger is more than a grocery store; it’s an organic paradise. The chain is about to surpass Whole Foods in organic food sales—$11 billion in 2015. That’s a lot of kale!
“We worked very hard to shift our product selection to meet that need, and sometimes to be ahead of that need.” Kroger spokesperson Keith Dailey told Business Insider.
“In our view, Kroger helped to move natural and organic to the mainstream by making products more affordable and accessible.”
You probably don’t know about H-E-B if you live outside Texas, but you should.
The name originated from the initials of the founder—Howard E. Butt, Sr., And is known across the Lone Star state for its wide selection of H-E-B-branded products.
We also know the company for making its stores a reflection of the communities and neighborhoods they’re in. Which makes shoppers feel truly at home.
11. ALDI
Making it into the top five is the brother store of Trader Joe’s! Aldi has gained a cult-like following over the past few years. Thanks to its low prices and a wide selection of organic produce.
You’ll need to bring your own bags. And a quarter to use a cart!—but it’s well worth it. Oh, and the double guarantee is reason enough to shop there.
If you buy something and don’t like it, you can bring it back with your receipt and they’ll give you another item and your money back.
12. Hy-Vee Food Stores
Hy-Vee Food Stores is known for having a “helpful smile in every aisle” and it’s totally true. They heralded this mostly Midwestern retailer for its clean stores, large organic selection, on-site dietitians (!), and friendly staff.
The best part about Hy-Vee is probably its Fuel Saver program. Which nets money for a future gas purchase when you buy advertised options.
Customers reportedly spend less than a dollar on a gallon after a big shopping haul.
13. Trader Joe’s
This year’s report differed from previous years because it’s the first where Trader Joe’s didn’t come in at #1.
The niche grocer still ranks high on this year’s report for cashier friendliness and store cleanliness. But stumbled a bit on checkout speed and product availability.
Maybe because they can’t keep its frozen cauliflower rice in stock!
With all of that said, Trader Joe’s is still a great place to save on staples. And you can’t go wrong with the store’s famously affordable wine.
14. Publix
Publix, a chain of stores along with the southeastern United States, took second for the fourth straight year. The chain scored high in all six areas measured by the report.
Including cleanliness, product availability, and cashier friendliness.
Publix also scores high on its prepared foods. Ask any customer about their deli sandwiches and cookies and you’re bound to get an enthusiastic response.
15. Wegmans
Wegmans is undoubtedly the Cinderella story of this list. The relatively small chain of stores on the east coast had quite the rally cry and pulled in double the votes in 2016.
The reason? It’s revolutionizing the grocery shopping experience. With outstanding stores and a vast selection that shoppers compare to a little city inside a grocery store.
Inside, you’ll find a bakery, deli, pizzeria, take-out food, sit-down restaurant, home goods store. Plus French patisserie, a cheese shop with over 300 specialties, caterer, butcher, sushi counter, coffee shop, and a pharmacy.
“You can’t talk about Wegmans without talking about its emphasis on the experience. On the theatricality of going to the grocery store.” Jon Springer, a retail editor for Supermarket News, told The Washington Post.
“It’s really very different in that respect.”
In this article, we’ve been able to come up with the 15 best grocery stores you will find near you. And also a list of all the grocery stores in the U.S.