Trader Joe’s drops in popularity ranking among America’s top grocery stores, now standing at third place behind ALDI and 7-Eleven.

Trader Joe’s has long been a favorite among shoppers, but new data from YouGov—a leading market research and analytics firm—reveals that it’s no longer the top pick in America. The California-based grocery chain now holds third place, with ALDI taking the top spot and 7-Eleven just ahead of TJ’s. Notably, the chain has dropped one position since last year when it held second place in the same YouGov survey. While Trader Joe's saw a 64 percent popularity rating in the survey conducted over the final quarter of 2023, it's not that it’s becoming less popular. Instead, other grocers are gaining ground. YouGov defines popularity as the “percent of people who have a positive opinion of a grocery store.”

As previously noted, ALDI was named America’s favorite grocery store, with a 66 percent popularity rating. 7-Eleven followed closely at 65 percent, with Trader Joe’s at 64 percent. The top five was rounded out by Kroger (61 percent) and Whole Foods (57 percent). Other notable grocery chains like Publix and Safeway also secured spots in the top 10. However, it’s worth mentioning that opinions varied significantly depending on generation and gender. Stay tuned to discover more about America’s most popular grocery stores!

ALDI isn’t the top pick for everyone.

ALDI claimed the number one spot among Generation X (born between 1965 and 1981) and Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964), while Trader Joe’s emerged as the favorite for Millennials (born between 1982 and 1999).

Trader Joe’s is more popular with men.

Remaining a dominant force in the grocery landscape, Trader Joe’s ranked as the top choice among men of all ages, securing a 65 percent popularity rating, outshining rivals such as ALDI, 7-Eleven, and Kroger.

Women lean toward 7-Eleven.

When it comes to grocery shopping, women tend to prefer 7-Eleven more than men. Women gave the convenience store chain a 69 percent popularity rating, placing it second overall, while men rated it at 62 percent, which led to a fourth-place finish.

Whole Foods appeals more to older consumers.

Whole Foods has long been a prominent player in the grocery world, especially since being acquired by Amazon. However, its popularity wanes among younger generations. Baby Boomers gave it a 59 percent popularity rating, while Generation X rated it at 54 percent. Millennials rated it at 59 percent but ranked it seventh overall, behind rivals like Kroger and Circle K.

However, Amazon Fresh isn’t as popular.

Although Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh are sister brands, they are perceived quite differently by consumers. Millennials rated Amazon Fresh fifth, giving it a 63 percent popularity rating, likely due to the convenience of ordering groceries online and having them delivered at a scheduled time. In contrast, Generation X and Baby Boomers showed less enthusiasm. Generation X placed it tenth with a 45 percent rating, while Baby Boomers rated it twelfth with just 38 percent.