Costco and Walmart have emerged as top grocery destinations in recent surveys, with Costco leading among higher-income shoppers and Walmart dominating other segments. A YouGov survey found that 11% of respondents earning at least $150,000 a year named Costco their primary grocery store, ahead of Kroger at 10% and Walmart Supercenter at 8%. Food industry analyst Phil Lempert noted that wealthier households often have larger families and seek value, aligning with Costco's bulk model. Meanwhile, broader data from the Food Industry Association and McKinsey show consumers are focusing on overall value amid inflation concerns, with 71% of shoppers extremely concerned about inflation and grocery sales rising 1.2% in 2025 driven by price increases rather than volume.
Costco Wholesale CorpSurvey shows Costco is top grocery store for high-income shoppers, indicating strong customer demand.
Walmart Inc.Walmart dominates grocery segments and is a top destination, reflecting strong demand.
Kroger CompanyCostco and Walmart lead grocery surveys, with Kroger trailing among high-income shoppers.