Top Grocery Stores in the US Ranked for Value

H-E-B takes the top spot, while Kroger slips in the latest Retailer Preference Index

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:21pm

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A photorealistic studio still life featuring a stack of colorful grocery receipts, a metal shopping cart, and a glass jar filled with coins, all arranged elegantly on a clean, white background to symbolize the importance of value and affordability in the grocery shopping experience.A visual metaphor for the growing demand among American consumers for grocery stores that can deliver both savings and quality.Cincinnati Today

A recent study by Dunnhumby has revealed the top grocery stores in the US based on customer value, with regional chain H-E-B ranking first. The Retailer Preference Index (RPI) also shows Kroger, a Midwest staple, dropping slightly in the rankings compared to the previous year, now behind competitors like Meijer. The report highlights the growing importance of savings and quality for American shoppers facing an 'affordability crisis' with high costs for essentials like food.

Why it matters

As household budgets remain tight due to rising costs of living, the rankings of grocery stores based on value and affordability have become increasingly important for many American consumers. The RPI report provides insight into which retailers are best meeting the needs of cost-conscious shoppers.

The details

The Dunnhumby RPI report analyzed data from the 81 largest supermarket, discount, superstore, club, and online grocery banners in the US. It considered both customer and financial data, as well as perceptions of retailers' value. The top 10 supermarkets in the US according to the RPI are: H-E-B, Market Basket, Woodman's, Costco, Aldi, WinCo Foods, Trader Joe's, Amazon and Amazon Fresh, Wegmans, and ShopRite. Kroger, a well-known Midwest chain, ranked 18th, a slight drop from the previous year, falling behind competitors like Meijer.

  • The Dunnhumby Retailer Preference Index report was released in April 2026.

The players

H-E-B

A regional grocery chain with over 400 stores across Texas and Mexico, H-E-B was ranked as the top supermarket in the US for customer value according to the Dunnhumby report.

Kroger

A well-known grocery chain based in the Midwest, Kroger ranked 18th on the Retailer Preference Index, a slight drop from the previous year.

Dunnhumby

A data science company that conducted the Ninth Annual Retailer Preference Index (RPI) report, which analyzed the top grocery stores in the US based on customer value.

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The takeaway

The Dunnhumby RPI report highlights the growing importance of savings and quality for American grocery shoppers, as many face an 'affordability crisis' with high costs for essentials like food. The rankings provide valuable insights for consumers and the industry on which retailers are best meeting the needs of cost-conscious customers.