Where do Boomers like to do their grocery shopping? Mostly, they’re the same places everyone else shops at, but there are interesting differences in the order of preference among different generations. Following are the top 10 grocery stores Boomers like to shop at, ranked by the percentages that have a positive opinion of them.
Kroger
66% of Boomers have a favorable view of Kroger grocery stores. Found in 35 states, Kroger stores have a reputation for quality products, a wide selection of organic foods, competitive pricing, and excellent customer service.
Trader Joe’s
With 500 stores across the U.S., Trader Joe’s is popular for its selection of quality products and commitment to sustainability. It’s also known for its excellent but inexpensive store-brand wines. Since the Boomers consume more alcohol than any other generation, that might help explain its high place on this list.
Aldi
This German multinational supermarket chain takes a no-frills approach to staple items so they can sell them at discount prices. Although Boomers are the most affluent generation, many are retired and on fixed incomes, so discounts help.
Whole Foods Market
Headquartered in Austin, TX, Whole Foods is pricier than most other chains, but there’s a good reason for that. Their products have excellent quality and are often organic and raised and grown sustainably.
Albertsons
After Kroger, this Boise (Id)-headquartered chain is the second largest in the U.S. One of the draws of Albertsons is, in addition to good selection and prices, not having to have a membership card to take advantage of sale prices.
Publix
Based out of Lakeland, FL, a state where many Boomers have retired, Publix serves the southeastern states. It was founded in 1930 by George W. Jenkins, and the corporation is wholly owned by members of the Jenkins family and by past and present employees.
Safeway
Now owned by the Albertsons Corporation, Safeway got its start in 1915 in American Falls, ID. Most stores are in the Western states, but there are some in the Mid-Atlantic as well. In addition to what you typically expect from a grocery store, many Safeways have a Starbucks and/or a gas station.
Piggly Wiggly
This chain operates in the South and Midwest although its current headquarters is in New Hampshire. Something notable about Piggly Wiggly is that it’s where checkout stands, shopping carts, and individual item pricing got their start. It was America’s first self-service grocery store.
Winn-Dixie
Another Florida-based chain operating in the Southeast, Winn-Dixie has roots going back to 1925. During the height of the pandemic, many stores ran a “senior hour” so that seniors could have time to meet their grocery shopping needs free from large crowds. That surely appealed to many Boomers.
Save-A-Lot
Like Aldi, this is a discount chain, and it has stores in 32 states. It has a 37% positive rating by Boomers, making it last on our list. You can view the entire list here, and its top 10 includes 7-Eleven and Circle, which we categorize as convenience stores, not true grocery stores.
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