Walmart may rule the world in terms of revenue, but American shoppers still don’t rank it first in terms of satisfaction. A standout big-box store is attracting more customers — although the margin is closing.
These findings come from the American Customer Satisfaction Index Retail and Consumer Shipping Study 2026Which is based on more than 31,000 completed surveys. Shoppers were randomly contacted and asked to rate their recent experiences with the nation’s largest retailers on a 100-point scale.
How did big-box stores rank?
Here’s how the four major “hypermarkets” – that is, stores that combine a department store and a supermarket under one roof – stack up in 2026 with their scores on a 100-point scale:
- Fred Meyer: 82 – above 75 in 2025
- Meijer: 81 – above 76 in 2025
- Target: 78 – below 80 in 2025
- Walmart: 76 – above 73 in 2025
Kroger-owned chain Fred Meyer, which has locations primarily in the Pacific Northwest, has posted the biggest jump of any hypermarket this year. A series of store renovations in 2025 enhanced the in-store experience, propelling it to the top of the category.
Meijer, a family-run chain with more than 500 locations in the Midwest, also grew rapidly. The company invested in technology to expand home delivery and simplify in-store pickup, improving order fulfillment accuracy and mobile app performance in the eyes of customers.
What’s going on with Target and Walmart?
Target held the top spot last year, but it slipped 3% this year. The retail giant has 2,000 places across the US this year, but is still ahead of Walmart, which is leading 4,600 US stores And has remained at the bottom position among hypermarkets for the last two years.
That said, Walmart’s 3-point advantage is worth noting. The company is redesigning stores — adding new signage, expanding the selection and improving online pickup and delivery — and customers are responding.
Walmart also remains number 1 in the world in terms of revenue. Customer satisfaction and sales volume do not always increase together.
The overarching finding from the 2026 ACSI study is that convenience is rapidly increasing satisfaction. Retailers who invest in in-store pickup, mobile apps, and order accuracy are gaining an edge, regardless of size.
Shoppers are more cost-conscious, which poses a challenge for retailers, says Forrest Morgeson, associate professor of marketing at Michigan State University and director of research emeritus at ACSI. Morgeson wrote in summary of the findings:
“These individuals are starting holiday shopping earlier, avoiding last-minute splurges, and trading on discounts and affordable options to stretch every dollar. Together, these shifts are tightening the field between retail winners and laggards and rewarding brands that offer clear value and a seamless experience online and in stores.”
