Move Over, Costco: 2024’s Top Grocery Store Unveiled

Costco and other big names in American food stores may come to mind as favorites among shoppers nationwide. A new poll, though, shows that the most-loved grocery shop of 2024 isn’t a big company like Costco but a local favorite that many Americans may not know very well.

The 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards for food shops from USA Today came out on September 12, 2024. The winner was Hy-Vee, a company in the Midwest. This business is run by its employees and has over 285 stores in eight states. Its main customers are in the Midwest.

The Ten Best Reader Awards From USA Today

Every year, the 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards from USA Today list the best food store brands in the US. First, a group of writers and experts lists the nominees. Then, viewers vote for their favorites. This year, Hy-Vee beat out The Fresh Market, which won last year, to win. Even though Hy-Vee has been on this list before, this is the first time the chain has been ranked number one.

People In The Midwest Love Hy-Vee

Hy-Vee is well-known in the Midwest, with shops in eight different states. People seem to like the grocery store chain’s phrase, “A Helpful Smile in Every Aisle,” which shows its dedication to helpful customer service.

USA Today’s 10 Best editors say that Hy-Vee stands out because it works with local farmers to offer fresh, locally grown food. This means that buyers can get high-quality fruits and veggies.

In addition to fresh food, many Hy-Vee stores have big food stations with various ready-to-eat choices. The grocery store is a popular place to stop for goods and a quick meal because it has salad bars, burgers, Asian food, pizza, and even fried chicken.

Hy-Vee is known for more than just good food and nice service. USA Today also ranked the store as having the best fresh fruit among grocery shops this year. In addition, it was named second for its prepared food options, which shows that the store wants to give more than just a normal grocery experience.

Second Place Goes To Fresh Market

Coming in right behind Hy-Vee is The Fresh Market, which won last year. Although The Fresh Market isn’t as well known across the country as other food stores, it has made a name for itself by offering a unique and personal shopping experience.

The Fresh Market gets its ideas from European food stores. It wants to make a warm, friendly space different from the warehouse-style groceries that many Americans are used to. The chain began in North Carolina in 1982 and now has 161 stores in 22 states, specializing in fresh food and private-label goods. People who shop at The Fresh Market like that everything, from fruits and veggies to baked goods and unique items, is made with care and quality.

The Fresh Market has kept its loyal customers even though it is not as big as some other stores. It is still known for its fresh, high-quality goods.

Other Top Grocery Stores

Not only did Hy-Vee and The Fresh Market stand out in the 2024 rankings, but so did other food stores. The top 10 included Heinen’s Grocery Store, Stew Leonard’s, Gelson’s Markets, and Aldi. Shoppers like these shops because they each have their strengths:

Heinen’s Grocery Store is an Ohio-based family-run store that values quality and customer service. It offers an excellent range of food items, mainly fresh vegetables, meats, and ready-to-eat meals.

People often say that Stew Leonard’s, a small group of stores mostly in the Northeastern United States, is more of an event than a grocery store. People know its shops for their unique plan and fresh goods, especially meats and dairy.

Gelson’s Markets is a store in Southern California known for its high-end feel and high-quality goods. For decades, picky shoppers have loved this chain, which sells everything from healthy food to gourmet goods.

Aldi is a foreign chain of cheap supermarkets that is becoming increasingly popular in the US. Because of its low prices and quick checkout, Aldi is a great place for people on a budget.

The Big Three Aren’t There: Costco, Sam’s Club, And Walmart

Large stores like Costco, Sam’s Club, and Walmart were not in this year’s top 10, which may have surprised some. Hy-Vee’s win is exciting, though. These big-box stores have many customers and are known for selling things in bulk at low prices.

On the other hand, the USA Today rankings focus on the general shopping experience, customer service, and quality of goods like fresh fruit. That could be why these big stores didn’t make the list.

Costco, Sam’s Club, and Walmart all emphasize buying in bulk and getting the best deal. These things appeal to many buyers, but they might not meet the more specific criteria that USA Today users set for this list.

What Does Hy-Vee Do Differently?

What does Hy-Vee do that makes it the best? As was already said, the food store chain’s dedication to customer service and goods from nearby farms are important factors. Besides groceries, Hy-Vee has a lot of extra services and goods that most grocery shops don’t have.

For example, many Hy-Vee stores have pharmacies, health offices, and exercise centers. This makes it easy for health-conscious customers to get everything they need in one place. There are usually areas of the shops that are just for flowers, bakery goods, and wine and drinks.

Hy-Vee has stayed competitive by providing a wide range of goods and services without lowering the quality of its main food items.

Hy-Vee also has its own culture because its employees run it. Employees care about the business’s growth and often provide better customer service when they feel like they own it.

Customers also like that the company wants to be a good neighbor through its business. Many places take part in local projects, help farmers, and support efforts to be more environmentally friendly.

In Conclusion

The fact that Hy-Vee won the USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Award for 2024 shows how much shoppers value this Midwestern grocery store business. One of the things that makes Hy-Vee a customer favorite is its helpful service, fresh fruit, and a large selection of ready-to-eat foods.

It might not be as well known outside of the Midwest, but its focus on local food, good service, and employee control makes it stand out from bigger national chains.

You might want to if you’ve never been to a Hy-Vee shop. This is especially true if you are in one of the eight states where it runs. Hy-Vee’s focus on the customer experience could be a model for other grocery shops as they change and adapt to meet customer needs.