Nobody likes wasting time at the grocery store. Whether it’s searching endlessly for items, dealing with empty shelves, or standing in line forever just to check out, a bad shopping experience can turn your whole day upside down. Based on thousands of recent customer reviews, here are the grocery stores that consistently rank as the most frustrating places to shop – and a few that actually get it right.
1. King Soopers takes the crown for worst shopping experience
Coming in dead last in customer satisfaction, King Soopers has earned its spot as the most frustrating grocery store chain in America. The stores are notorious for their painfully slow checkout lines that seem to stretch for miles. Even with multiple registers, you’ll often find only one or two actually open, turning a quick grocery run into an hour-long ordeal.
The problems don’t stop at the checkout line. Customer reviews consistently mention poor service throughout the store, with many shoppers noting how difficult it is to find help when needed. When you do manage to track down an employee, they often seem overwhelmed and unable to provide much assistance.
The store layout doesn’t help matters either. Products are frequently moved around without warning, turning your shopping list into a store-wide scavenger hunt. And don’t get us started on the produce section – finding fresh fruits and vegetables can feel like searching for hidden treasure, except the treasure is usually past its prime.
Even the basics seem to be a challenge. Empty shelves are a common sight, especially during peak shopping hours. The store’s inventory system appears to be stuck in the past, with items showing as available online but nowhere to be found in the actual store. It’s enough to make you wonder if anyone’s actually managing the place.
2. Save A Lot falls short on savings and quality
Coming in as the second-worst grocery chain, Save A Lot seems to have missed the mark on both savings and shopping experience. While the store promises low prices, many customers report that the actual savings are minimal compared to regular grocery stores. The real kicker? These mediocre prices come with a significant trade-off in quality.
The store’s biggest downfall is its product selection. Reviews indicate that finding basic items can be a challenge, with many shelves stocked only with off-brand alternatives that don’t quite hit the mark. Fresh produce often looks tired and uninspiring, while the meat department frequently leaves customers questioning the quality.
Store maintenance is another major concern. Many locations suffer from cleanliness issues, with sticky floors, dusty shelves, and general disorganization being common complaints. The lighting is often harsh and unflattering, making the shopping experience feel more like a trip to a storage warehouse than a grocery store.
The staff situation doesn’t help either. With minimal employees on the floor, getting assistance can feel like an impossible task. When you do find someone to help, they often seem undertrained and unable to answer basic questions about product locations or availability.
3. Kroger struggles with consistency across stores
Kroger lands in third place on our list of disappointing grocery stores, largely due to its inconsistent shopping experience. What makes this particularly frustrating is how wildly the quality can vary between different locations – you never quite know what you’re going to get when you walk through the doors.
Customer feedback shows that even basics like store cleanliness and stock levels can differ dramatically from one Kroger to another. Some stores are well-maintained and fully stocked, while others look like they haven’t seen a good cleaning or inventory check in weeks.
The self-checkout situation at many Kroger stores is particularly problematic. While meant to speed up the checkout process, these stations are often plagued with technical issues. The “assistance needed” light seems to flash more often than not, and finding staff to help can take forever.
Pricing is another area where Kroger drops the ball. Their advertised sales prices don’t always match what rings up at the register, leading to awkward conversations with cashiers and customer service. The store’s loyalty program, while promising good deals, often requires jumping through multiple hoops to actually save money.
4. Walmart supercenters mean super-sized frustration
Coming in fourth on our list is Walmart’s grocery section. While the store’s massive size might suggest a better shopping experience, it actually creates unique challenges. The sheer scale of these supercenters means you’ll probably walk half a mile just to find everything on your list.
The biggest issue? Finding fresh, quality produce. Many shoppers report that fruits and vegetables often look tired and beaten up, likely due to the high volume of customer traffic and less-than-gentle handling. The produce section feels more like an afterthought than a priority.
Checkout times at Walmart are notorious. Even with multiple registers and self-checkout options, lines can stretch back into the aisles. The self-checkout area often turns into a free-for-all, with minimal staff supervision and frequent technical glitches that slow everything down.
Stock issues plague many Walmart locations, especially during peak shopping times. Empty shelves are a common sight, and finding staff to check for items in the back can feel like a wild goose chase. The store’s inventory system often shows items as in-stock online, only to be unavailable when you actually visit.
5. Giant Eagle needs giant improvements
Rounding out our top five worst grocery stores is Giant Eagle, with its Pittsburgh location earning particular notoriety. The store’s pricing strategy seems to be “charge more for less,” with many items marked up significantly higher than competitors without any clear justification for the premium.
One of the biggest complaints? The store’s loyalty program. While meant to offer savings, customers find it overly complicated and restrictive. Many items require membership to access sale prices, but even with the card, the “discounted” prices often match competitors’ regular prices.
Store layout is another pain point. Many Giant Eagle locations feel cramped and poorly organized, with narrow aisles that create traffic jams during busy hours. The deli counter can be particularly slow, with wait times often stretching past 20 minutes even for simple orders.
Product quality is hit or miss, especially in the prepared foods section. While some items are decent, many ready-to-eat options sit under heat lamps far too long, resulting in dried-out, unappetizing meals that aren’t worth the premium pricing.
6. ACME misses the mark on modern shopping needs
ACME stores, landing at number six on our list, seem stuck in a time warp. While other grocery chains have modernized their operations, many ACME locations feel like they haven’t been updated since the 1990s. From outdated lighting to worn-out floor tiles, the shopping environment often feels tired and uninspiring.
The store’s biggest weakness is its failure to adapt to current shopping trends. Online ordering and pickup services lag behind competitors, with a clunky website interface and frequent issues with order accuracy. When orders do arrive, substitutions often seem random rather than thoughtful.
Pricing at ACME can be puzzling. Regular prices tend to be higher than nearby competitors, and sales, when available, often require buying multiple items to get the advertised price. This can lead to overbuying just to access reasonable prices, which defeats the purpose of saving money.
The produce and meat departments particularly need attention. Fresh items often look past their prime, and the selection can be limited, especially later in the day. The meat counter frequently has long waits with only one person working, even during peak shopping hours.
7. Safeway safety net needs strengthening
At number seven, Safeway shows how a once-reliable grocery chain can lose its way. While some locations maintain decent standards, many have fallen into a pattern of mediocrity that makes shopping there more of a last resort than a first choice.
The store’s biggest issue is its inconsistent pricing strategy. Regular prices are often surprisingly high, forcing customers to rely on their somewhat confusing club card program. Even with the card, prices can vary dramatically from week to week on the same items.
Store maintenance varies widely between locations. Some stores show their age with flickering lights, broken floor tiles, and refrigeration units that seem to be on their last legs. The shopping carts at many locations have seen better days, with wonky wheels that make navigating the aisles an adventure.
Employee training appears minimal, with many staff members unable to answer basic questions about product locations or store policies. The bakery and deli counters often have long waits due to understaffing, and finding someone to help in other departments can be challenging.
8. Piggly Wiggly shows its age
Coming in at number eight, Piggly Wiggly stores often feel like a blast from the past – and not in a good way. Many locations haven’t seen significant updates in years, leading to a shopping experience that feels outdated and inefficient.
The store’s inventory management system needs serious work. Stock levels are unpredictable, with basic items frequently out of stock. When products are available, they’re often approaching their expiration dates, leading to limited selection for shoppers.
The checkout process can be particularly frustrating. Many locations still rely heavily on older register systems that seem to take forever to process transactions. The lack of self-checkout options in most stores means you’re stuck waiting in line, even for small purchases.
Store organization leaves much to be desired. Products are often placed in seemingly random locations, making it difficult to find specific items without asking for help. The narrow aisles in many stores create traffic jams when more than two carts try to pass each other.
9. Jewel-Osco needs to polish its act
At number nine, Jewel-Osco demonstrates how a regional grocery chain can struggle to keep up with changing customer expectations. While the stores maintain a loyal customer base in some areas, they often fail to deliver the shopping experience modern consumers expect.
One major issue is the stores’ product selection. Many locations carry limited varieties of items, especially when it comes to international foods or specialty dietary needs. The organic section often feels like an afterthought, with limited options at premium prices.
The prepared foods section typically disappoints, with a limited selection that often looks like it’s been sitting out too long. The salad bar and hot food stations at many locations close early, leaving evening shoppers with fewer options.
Customer service tends to be hit or miss, with some employees going above and beyond while others seem indifferent. The pharmacy wait times can be particularly long, and communication about prescription status often leaves customers confused.
10. Fred Meyer rounds out the bottom ten
Completing our list at number ten is Fred Meyer, a store that tries to be everything to everyone but often ends up satisfying nobody. The massive store size, while impressive at first, makes quick shopping trips nearly impossible. You might walk a quarter-mile just to grab milk and bread.
The biggest complaint? Organization. Shoppers report that finding specific items can be like solving a puzzle, with grocery items scattered throughout different sections of the store. The mix of grocery and department store sections often creates confusion about where to find specific items.
Price checking can be a challenge, as many items lack clear tags or have outdated pricing information. The store’s digital price scanners are often broken or missing entirely, forcing customers to wait in line at customer service just to verify a price.
The checkout experience frequently frustrates shoppers. Despite the store’s size, they often have too few registers open, leading to long lines. The store’s layout makes it difficult to quickly determine which lines are moving fastest, adding to checkout time.
Shopping doesn’t have to be a chore. While these stores consistently rank at the bottom of customer satisfaction surveys, other chains like Trader Joe’s, Costco, and Wegmans show that it’s possible to create positive shopping experiences. Sometimes paying a little more or driving a few extra minutes to a better store can save you time and frustration in the long run.
