This Is the Grocery Store with the Best Reputation, According to a New Poll
In 2020, America’s favorite place to stock up on groceries, pandemic-era quarantine stockpiling habits included, was Publix Supermarkets. While the pandemic frenzy has de-escalated, a new champion has returned and secured the coveted spot at the top of the Harris Poll Reputation Quotient Rankings for 2021.
In 2019, when we found out about America’s favorite grocery chain, we weren’t surprised: People loved Wegmans. It looks as though nothing has changed since then as Wegmans has secured the top spot this year for the grocery store with the best reputation. In the Harris Poll’s ranking of 100 companies with the best reputation, Wegman’s came in at number 13, higher than any other grocery store chain, including Publix at number 23 and Kroger at number 30.
To make this ranking, social scientists, strategists, and storytellers at Harris Insights & Analytics look at public opinion, corporate reputation, brand strategy, and additional research. At their core, they want people to know the truth. And when it comes to grocery stores, the truth is pretty clear: Wegmans is number one. If you don’t have a Wegmans near you, try shopping at one of the other grocery stores that made the list!
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How is the survey ranked?
The Reputation Quotient (RQ) rankings are determined in two phases: the nominations phase and the ratings phase. The nominations phase comes from the general public. Survey respondents are asked for their opinions on companies they feel have the best and worst reputations overall. Although we are focusing on grocery stores, the survey is meant for companies of all sorts.
The ratings phase is conducted online, again for the general public. Respondents rate two of the companies that they are “very” or “somewhat” familiar with; for this particular survey, 34,026 people in the United States participated. The companies are then ranked based on “six dimensions of corporate reputation”: social responsibility, products and services, emotional appeal, workplace environment, financial performance, and vision and leadership. Finally, each company receives an RQ score out of 100: 80 and above is “excellent,” 75 to 79 is “very good,” 70 to 74 is “good,” 65 to 69 is “fair,” 55 and 64 is “poor,” 50 to 54 is “very poor,” and below 50 is “critical.”
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Wegmans was rated the best grocery store
The 2021 survey found Wegmans beating out Publix and Kroger along with various other companies. Many of the factors that allowed for Wegmans to reclaim its previously held title included high points for ethics, citizenship, and products/service.
One reason for the high rating was how the grocery store handled the ongoing pandemic, creating a safe shopping experience for those who work and those who shop. With new policies in place to protect customers, the focus was also on protecting employees with paid sick leave when diagnosed with COVID-19 as well as the chance to seek medical help from company nurses and support staff.
RELATED: 40 Grocery Store Secrets You Didn’t Know About
Sources:
The Harris Poll: “Corporate Reputation Rankings”
Wegmans: “Making a Difference Together”
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