America's Best Grocery Stores/Chains
With 77% score, Publix was voted the best Supermarket in the Nation along with Wegman's who also received a 77% score but Wegman's store chain is primarily in the North East. ALDI came in 5th with a score of 68%. I was so glad to see Publix enter the Florence market because, in my own opinion, they are definitly a cut above not only what was here but a cut above WalMart's grocery as well.
Of the local grocery stores, I prefer Publix with Big Star coming in next although it is a much smaller store. Of the things, i like about Publix are their store brand (Publix branded foods). Usually, store branded foods are not as high of quality as named brands but in Publix case, they are just as good and are usually a good value. Another thing I like is that, at Publix, you can find a much better variety of food choices, brand choices, that just isn't available in stores like Foodland or even WalMart's grocery. I also like the BOGO sales that Publix offers each week because while Publix is a bit higher priced on some items the BOGO sales tend to make up for it and even out the bill. Lastly, Publix is always clean and appears like a quality store.
As for WalMart's grocery and food market, when I chose to shop at WalMart, there are only one of the Walmart food centers that I enjoy shopping at and that is the Cloverdale, Rd, Location. I wish the other WalMart locations were as nice looking and were laid out like the Cloverdale rd store but sadly they aren't and I doubt they will be changed in the future so when I chose to go to WalMart and as a side benefit the Cloverdale Rd location also, usually, has better and easier parking. I'll continue to drive past the closest store and continue to go to the Cloverdale Rd, Petersville, Location. Also now that Walmart has ended their policy of price matching other stores I hardly ever chose to go to Walmart and much prefer to shop at Publix then Big Star followed by Foodland before I choose Walmart.