H-E-B has taken the top spot in the eighth annual dunnhumby Retailer Preference Index (RPI), a nationwide study of the $1 trillion U.S. grocery market, for the fourth consecutive year. The Texas-based regional supermarket format has dominated the RPI’s top spot due to its long-term customer value proposition.
The study found that saving customers money through price, promotions, and rewards is the most important predictor for retailers’ long-term market success in the United States. This approach has been increasing in importance over the past eight years, with 38% of a retailer’s long-term success now based on their price, promotions, and rewards proposition.
The top five retailers are H-E-B (1), Market Basket (2), Costco (3), WinCo Foods (4), and Aldi (5). The study also revealed that three of the top four retailers are regional supermarkets, with Kroger and Albertson’s banners suffering ranking declines due to negative press from their proposed merger.
Amazon fell out of the top three for the first time in eight years, landing in the sixth spot. Lidl ascended 14 spots to move up to the top quartile, while Trader Joe’s improved its ranking from the 15th position to the eighth position by being ahead of the market on quality.
“The fundamentals still apply as H-E-B has proven year over year,” said Matt O’Grady, dunnhumby’s President of the Americas. “Any format can win if you understand your customers and prioritize efforts to save your customers money consistently with your positioning.”
Source: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250108323886/en/dunnhumby-RPI-Ranks-H-E-B-as-Top-U.S.-Grocer-Hardened-Consumers-Turn-Away-from-Retailers-Not-Offering-Savings