This regional chain just beat Trader Joe's and Kroger as America's favorite grocery store

Publix Dept Store

Americans can't get enough of Publix.

The grocery chain, which has stores throughout the Southeast, was recently voted best grocery chain in the US.

Publix tied with Wegmans for the top spot in an annual survey of almost 13,000 shoppers, conducted by the consumer insights firm Market Force Information. 

For the past four years, the store has ranked second in the survey, above giant chains like Walmart, Kroger, and Whole Foods. This year, Walmart came in last place in the ranking of 23 stores.

Publix was praised for its cleanliness, easy-to-navigate layout, and fast check outs. 

Here's what it's like to shop there:

The first Publix store was opened by George W. Jenkins in Florida in the midst of the Great Depression in 1930. It now has 1,146 stores across six states in the southeast.

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The majority of its stores are in Florida and Georgia.

Source: Publix

 

It is the largest employee-owned grocery chain in the country. Last year, it reported $2.03 billion in net profits, up by 3.1% from $1.97 billion in 2015.

brownpau/flickr

Source: Publix

In this year’s Market Force survey, Publix knocked Trader Joe’s from the top spot and beat major chains like Walmart, Kroger, and Whole Foods. It received high marks for its cleanliness, navigability, availability of items, and speedy checkouts.

Facebook/Publix

Source: Market Force Information

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