The Most Popular Grocery Store in Your State

Though it has just two locations in the state, both on the island of Oahu, Sam’s Club ranks as the most popular grocery store in Hawaii. It ranks ahead of Whole Foods, Safeway, and others. Because of its remote location, groceries are more expensive in Hawaii than any other state. Perhaps one reason for the chain’s popularity is that a Sam’s Club membership can help shoppers save on groceries and other items if they buy in bulk.

Idaho is one of four Western states in which the Portland, Oregon-based chain Fred Meyer ranks as the most popular grocery store. The store beat WinCo Foods, Whole Foods Market, and even Albertsons — which is headquartered in Boise, Idaho — to rank as the most popular grocer in the state. Fred Meyer ranks as the most popular grocer in all states where it operates — including Alaska, Oregon, and Washington — except for Utah.

Jewel is one of the oldest grocers on this list, having been founded in 1899 in Itasca, Illinois. The company expanded throughout the Chicagoland area and the rest of Illinois and now ranks as the most popular grocer in the state. The store has maintained its Midwestern roots, expanding to 187 locations — 182 of which are in Illinois, four in Indiana, and one in Iowa. In 2015, Jewel was acquired by grocery chain Albertsons.

With 150 locations across Indiana, Kroger ranks as the most popular grocery store in the state. Kroger is one of the largest and most popular grocery chains in the U.S. — outside of Walmart, no company in America sells more groceries than Kroger. Kroger beat stores like Meijer, Fresh Thyme Market, and Trader Joe’s to rank as the most popular grocery store in the state.

Iowa’s most popular grocery store is Hy-Vee, a Midwestern chain of stores that also ranks as the most popular grocer in three other nearby states. Like Publix, Hy-Vee is employee-owned, with more than 40,000 of its workers participating as indirect stockholders. The store is headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa.