Consumer Reports rates top supermarkets

Shoppers found Wegmans' and Trader Joe’s supermarkets are among the most satisfying chains to shop at, according to Consumer Reports latest survey of the best national and regional grocery chains.

In the survey, 32,599 respondents were asked about their experiences at supermarkets, supercenters, or warehouse clubs in the past year. 

Some of the other top-rated chains shoppers found to be very satisfying were Publix, Raley’s, Harris Teeter, Fareway, Costco, Whole Foods Market, Market Basket, WinCo Foods, and Stater Bros.

For details, see the article “Wegmans, Trader Joe’s, Publix Top Consumer Reports Supermarket Survey” on Consumer Affairs.com or the May issue of Consumer Reports, available on newsstands and at your local library.

An accompanying article on saving money when buying groceries article is included in the May Consumer Reports, “13 Ways to Save.”

Supermarkets are giant selling machines with careful consideration given to traffic patterns, product placement, displays, and signs to get you to spend money.

The article offers these tips to help you save:

• Look high and low because middle- or eye-level shelves often contain more expensive products.

• Check carefully the price of items displayed on the ends of the aisles to see if they’re on sale.

• Compare unit prices because bigger isn’t always cheaper per unit.

• Consider organics for peaches, strawberries, bell peppers, and meat.

• Weigh the cost of convenience items.

• Avoid temptations at the checkout counter.

• Buy bagged produce if the price per pound is cheaper.

• Go to the back of the shelf to get the freshest milk, cereal, cold cuts, and other packaged goods.

• Check the receipt because 6 percent of those surveyed said they were overcharged at the register.

• Read weekly sale fliers carefully to make sure items are actually reduced in price.

• Watch for sneaky signs that tempt you to buy more than one bag or box.

• Be aware that the same food sold at different locations in the store may vary in price.

• Buy at the bakery to get savings from store-made baked goods.