People in Michigan Are Puzzled by 2026 Grocery Store Study

If you live in Mid-Michigan, you’re probably asking the same question I did when I saw this list. How did Kroger and Meijer not make it?

New Grocery Rankings for 2026

The American Customer Satisfaction Index just released its 2026 rankings of the top grocery chains in the United States. Researchers surveyed more than 31,000 shoppers across the country and scored stores on things like checkout speed, produce quality, store hours, apps, and overall experience.

READ MORE: Michigan Worker Wins $75 Million in Chemical Case Against Kroger

Sounds fair enough until you get to the list. And that’s when Michiganders start raising an eyebrow. Here are the Top 10 grocery chains in America for 2026 according to the ACSI.

Why Michigan Shoppers Are Confused

Now here’s where it gets weird for Michigan shoppers. Neither Meijer nor Kroger cracked the top 10. Both scored a 78, which technically puts them just outside the list. But from a Mid-Michigan perspective, that feels off.

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Because let’s be honest. Around here those two stores basically run the grocery universe, and the numbers back that up. Michigan only has nine Trader Joe's stores, 18 Costco locations, 23 Sam's Club stores, and eight Whole Foods Market locations statewide.

Grocery Chains With the Most Michigan Locations

Meanwhile, Michigan has more than 120 Meijer stores. Kroger also has more than 120 locations, which is comparable to Aldi, which also operates more than 120 Michigan stores.

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So the grocery chains most people here actually use every week didn’t make the national Top 10. That’s the part that makes locals scratch their heads.