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What’s the most popular supermarket in Sacramento and the nation? Safeway, Aldi, Costco?

Everyone has a go-to grocery store — whether it be for the prices, location or that one thing you just can’t get anywhere else.

As supermarket costs continue to rise and fall — the latest being sky-high egg prices across the U.S. — shopping at several stores to get all your groceries has become normal. In Sacramento, according to foot traffic data collected from Safe Graph, Walmart is the most popular stop.

After Walmart, Sacramentans prefer Costco and then Safeway. Here are the other favorites:

  • Bel-Air

  • Foods Co.

  • Raley’s Supermarkets

  • Save Mart Supermarkets

  • Grocery Outlet

  • La Superior Supermercados

  • Sprouts Farmers Market

The data used in this interactive line graph, collected by Safe Graph, was last updated December 2022. According to the visualization, a visit is defined as staying at the location for more than four minutes. Here are the six most visited supermarkets in the Sacramento area from December 2021 to November 2022:

Sacramento’s most popular supermarkets

Sacramento’s three most visited grocery stores — Walmart, Costco and Safeway — offer customers different perks.

Costco is a member-exclusive discount warehouse that’s known for its bulk food. For a yearly fee of $60 plus tax or $120 plus tax, you’d have access to large amounts of produce and supplies — as well as electronics, pharmacies, gas stations and food courts.

If you’re not looking for exclusivity or bulk items, but the idea of your your milk being in the same store as your ophthalmologist sounds convenient, Walmart is a good option.

The much larger superstore carries both name-brand and store-brand produce and other supplies including electronics. It also has:

  • Car services

  • Pharmacies

  • Furniture

  • Clothes

  • Books, video games, movies, music

Walmart has digital coupons and limited membership perks including free delivery and fuel savings. When you buy certain items online, it’s cheaper.

Safeway is the most distinct of the group.

The American supermarket chain is a standard grocery store with pharmacy services.

The grocer has a free program with perks exclusive to its members including personalized deals and discounts on groceries and gas. When you shop at Safeway as a member, the store prices are cheaper.

What’s the top grocery store in the U.S.?

The most popular grocery store in the U.S., according to analytics firm YouGovAmerica, is German discount supermarket Aldi, which does not have a Sacramento location.

California-based grocery store Trader Joe’s is the U.S.’ second pick. It ranked No. 12 in Sacramento, according to foot traffic data.

Here’s how several California-based supermarket chains rank against other stores in the U.S., according to YouGovAmerica:

  • Safeway - 49% popularity

  • Grocery Outlet - 29% popularity

  • 99 Ranch Market - 24% popularity

What is your favorite supermarket?

Does your favorite grocery store match the majority? Help The Bee pick the best grocery store chain in the Sacramento area. Vote in the poll below. Voting closes Thursday, Feb 9. Don’t see your favorite? Make sure your pick is a grocery store chain in the Sacramento area before kindly email us at servicejournalists@sacbee.com

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