The latest issue of Consumer Reports includes an article reviewing supermarket chains, and the results are interesting.
Wegmans ranked highest overall, as well as highest in freshness of its produce and meats, cleanliness, bakeries, and second in “cheapest for organics” behind Trader Joe’s.
We’ve shopped in Wegmans and Trader Joe’s while on the mainland, and both are real treats. We relate to both as “destinations,” places that draw you in, not just places to get necessary shopping done.
Unfortunately, the family-owned Wegmans chain is only in the Northeast, while Trader Joes has resisted the urge to tap into the island market.
But on the positive side, Costo ranked at #8 among the 68 stores reviewed, despite a so-so rating for its produce section.
Whole Foods ranked at #15, with high marks for produce, meats & country, store prepared food, and cleanliness.
Sam’s Club didn’t fare as well, ranking #47 out of 68, and not ranked any better than average in any category while getting the worst marks for “staff courtesy.”
But that was a lot better than Safeway, one of Hawaii’s largest chains, which ranked #58 out of 68, with average marks in all categories except meats & country, where it got a half-black, less than average rating.
Of course, CR did’t rate local chains. I suspect that some individual stores in the local chains would do quite well compared to those big mainland chains, but overall, perhaps not as well.
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Safeway in my neighborhood is terrible. The lines are ridiculous; the prices are ridiculous. I complained online to Safeway and the manager called a couple days later. He basically said some of the workers needed to be replaced. That was several months ago; the place is still terrible. It’s like buying a Ford at the price of an Audi.
If I had to guess, this particular Safeway store is near the bottom of the chain’s totem pole; the store has been written off. Negative reviews online are as harmful as a butterfly.
One benefit of being a true “townie” is that we have Safeway, Times, Foodland, Marukai, Don Quijote, Nijiya and the Korean Supermarket on Keeaumoku all within a reasonable walking distance although a couple are a bit of a hike. Quite a few small specialty and ethnic-specific places. too. So we flit among the stores based frequently on what’s on sale.
Pali Safeway you need a personal body guard. It’s a shame to see an area deteriorate so badly over the last several years. It’s very ghetto like with creatures passed out on the sidewalks and trash everywhere. Don’t even think about parking after 11. lots of loiterers who don’t seem to be shopping…..I’m surprised they don’t try to do more to secure the area and make it cleaner.
I’ve complained about Safeway in comments here before and stand by them (expired dairy products and inaccurate register scanning), but I do believe Safeway deserves commendation in at least one area – hiring disabled members of our community. I have not researched any particular corporate policies or initiatives, but Manoa Safeway appears to make a habit of hiring people with mental and physical disabilities. These individuals seem to just require a bit more patience from customers and managers. Not a CR factor, but a responsible corporate citizen factor.
Foodland always has great customer service. They always hire staff with plenty aloha!