<![CDATA[Wegmans]]>

<![CDATA[Wegmans]]>We visited the regional chain that beat Trader Joe’s for the title of best grocery store in America — here’s what it’s like

Hollis Johnson and Kate Taylor

Wegmans 7 Hollis Johnson

The best grocery chain in the US is one that most Americans have never visited.

In fact, Wegmans, which has fewer than 100 locations, gets thousands of calls per year from people begging for a store to open in their hometown.

Wegmans has ranked number one in Market Force Information’s annual survey of the best grocery stores for the last two years thanks in large part to its loyal fans.

But we, like many other Americans, had never been to a Wegmans, so on a recent trip to Charlottesville, Virginia, we knew we had to visit one.

Here’s what it was like:

Driving up to the Wegmans in Charlottesville, Virginia, it was immediately clear that this wouldn’t be a normal shopping trip.

Driving up to the Wegmans in Charlottesville, Virginia, it was immediately clear that this wouldn't be a normal shopping trip.

Hollis Johnson

The impressive attributes of the store shouldn’t have come as a surprise. Wegmans was voted the best grocery chain in the US in 2017, based on Market Force Information’s annual survey of the industry.

The impressive attributes of the store shouldn't have come as a surprise. Wegmans was voted the best grocery chain in the US in 2017, based on Market Force Information's annual survey of the industry.

Hollis Johnson

It was when we walked into the store, however, that we realized Wegmans isn’t just large — it’s a behemoth.

It was when we walked into the store, however, that we realized Wegmans isn't just large — it's a behemoth.

Hollis Johnson

According to the company, locations stock up to 70,000 products. That’s a ton, compared to the slightly more than 40,000 products that the average supermarket stocks, according to the Food Marketing Institute.

According to the company, locations stock up to 70,000 products. That's a ton, compared to the slightly more than 40,000 products that the average supermarket stocks, according to the Food Marketing Institute.

Hollis Johnson

Unlike Trader Joe’s, which keeps prices low with minimalist locations and almost exclusively selling in-house brands, Wegmans is all about variety.

Unlike Trader Joe's, which keeps prices low with minimalist locations and almost exclusively selling in-house brands, Wegmans is all about variety.

Hollis Johnson

Wegmans features spacious aisles full of everything from paper goods to champagne.

Wegmans features spacious aisles full of everything from paper goods to champagne.

Hollis Johnson

The stores sell both Wegmans’ brands — which tend to be less expensive — and pricier options.

The stores sell both Wegmans' brands — which tend to be less expensive — and pricier options.

Hollis Johnson

While it’s not as budget-focused as chains like Trader Joe’s or Kroger, Wegmans isn’t completely devoid of deals.

While it's not as budget-focused as chains like Trader Joe's or Kroger, Wegmans isn't completely devoid of deals.

Hollis Johnson

Comparing prices between Wegmans and a nearby Kroger revealed that eggs and tomatoes were evenly priced, and bananas were actually cheaper at Wegmans, where they cost 49 cents a pound, compared to 59 cents a pound at Kroger.

Comparing prices between Wegmans and a nearby Kroger revealed that eggs and tomatoes were evenly priced, and bananas were actually cheaper at Wegmans, where they cost 49 cents a pound, compared to 59 cents a pound at Kroger.

Hollis Johnson

Family-sized packaging also helps cut down on costs.

Family-sized packaging also helps cut down on costs.

Hollis Johnson

Wegmans’ wine store highlights the company’s dedication to variety, providing options for both the discerning drinker and the budget-minded boozehound.

Wegmans' wine store highlights the company's dedication to variety, providing options for both the discerning drinker and the budget-minded boozehound.

Hollis Johnson

The Charlottesville Wegmans sells everything from a $42.99 bottle of Veuve Clicquot to a selection of wines for just $6.

The Charlottesville Wegmans sells everything from a $42.99 bottle of Veuve Clicquot to a selection of wines for just $6.

Hollis Johnson

The grocer makes an effort to highlight local brands, including beer from Goochland, Virginia’s Lickinghole Creek brewery to wine from the nearby Trump Vineyard.

The grocer makes an effort to highlight local brands, including beer from Goochland, Virginia's Lickinghole Creek brewery to wine from the nearby Trump Vineyard.

Hollis Johnson

Another major perk of shopping at Wegmans is the prepared food.

Another major perk of shopping at Wegmans is the prepared food.

Hollis Johnson

Wegmans fans praise the store’s ready-to-eat section and, seeing the options from chicken wings to sushi, it’s easy to understand why.

Wegmans fans praise the store's ready-to-eat section and, seeing the options from chicken wings to sushi, it's easy to understand why.

Hollis Johnson

The store even has a “pub,” complete with happy hour specials, perfect for thirsty shoppers.

The store even has a "pub," complete with happy hour specials, perfect for thirsty shoppers.

Hollis Johnson

The experience of grocery shopping is increasingly crucial for companies, as ecommerce makes shopping more convenient and chains like Whole Foods add in-store bonuses like restaurants and bars.

The experience of grocery shopping is increasingly crucial for companies, as ecommerce makes shopping more convenient and chains like Whole Foods add in-store bonuses like restaurants and bars.

Hollis Johnson

However, few grocery chains have successfully made shopping as enjoyable — even aspirational — as Wegmans has. After visiting a store, we understand what these cultish customers see in the brand — and are ready to go back for more.

Hollis Johnson

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