Whereas consumers throughout the U.S. debate the place to purchase groceries, San Antonians are already in line. A brand new nationwide rating as soon as once more places H-E-B on the high, naming the hometown grocer the perfect within the nation for the fourth yr operating.
The distinction comes from Dunnhumby, a world client analysis agency that research how and the place People store. Its annual Retailer Choice Index for grocers appears at each enterprise efficiency and what prospects truly consider the shops they go to, surveying greater than 11,000 consumers throughout the nation and analyzing the nation’s huge grocery market
H-E-B has remained on the high of the checklist for a lot of the 2020s, briefly dropping its throne through the COVID-19 pandemic to Amazon when ease of supply trumped in-store experiences. Dunnhumby calls the San Antonio favourite a “unicorn,” delivering constant high quality, number of items, and financial savings.
The final issue is enjoying an even bigger function than ever in 2026. The research discovered that serving to prospects stretch their grocery {dollars} now accounts for 41 p.c of a retailer’s long-term success — the best stage the index has ever recorded. Dunnhumby president Matt O’Grady stated in an announcement that many People are feeling monetary stress from a number of instructions.
“Shopper confidence dropped as considerations about larger costs, fewer job alternatives, and stagnant wages eroded buying energy,” O’Grady stated. “Shoppers throughout all earnings ranges are feeling the squeeze and making extra price-conscious decisions.”
Nonetheless, for a lot of Texans, H-E-B’s enchantment feels extra private. As a part of the survey, Dunnhumby collected feedback from every model’s most loyal prospects.
“Truthfully, H-E-B is simply an incredible retailer throughout,” wrote one shopper. “The gross sales and reductions you supply are at all times actually good — I can truly get monetary savings on stuff I purchase usually, not simply random issues I do not want,” the patron wrote.
That worth proposition appeared to be a part of a nationwide pattern. Regional grocery chains, that are extra capable of adapt to native preferences, are thriving in America. For the primary time within the index’s historical past, the highest three spots have been claimed by regional gamers. H-E-B, Massachusetts-based Market Basket, and Wisconsin’s Woodman’s dominated over nationwide giants like Costco and Walmart.
Though Dunnhumby’s knowledge didn’t dig into intangibles, it does not harm that native manufacturers endear themselves to their communities. H-E-B scores buyer goodwill by its “Texas FEMA” catastrophe response crew, applications like its Excellence in Training Awards, and enjoyable promotions like its current airport merchandising machines in main airports.
“You are not simply one other large chain,” wrote the commenter about H-E-B. “You truly care about native stuff, assist out throughout robust occasions, and it exhibits that you just’re invested right here.”
