USA TODAY has released its list of the 10 best grocery stores in the U.S. for 2026. Four of the supermarkets included in the top 10 have locations you can visit right here in the Wilmington area, including USA TODAY's top-ranked grocery store, which claimed the No. 1 spot for the fifth time in six years.
USA TODAY 10Best ranked U.S. grocery stores for their value, selection and service. The 10 best grocery stores were nominated by an expert panel and voted on by readers.
Four chains with Wilmington-area locations made the list: Aldi, Publix, Lidl and The Fresh Market. See where they landed.
The Fresh Market
The Fresh Market was the top-ranked grocery store on USA TODAY's 10Best list. It's the second year in a row the chain has come out on top and the fifth time
since 2021.
According to USA TODAY, The Fresh Market was originally inspired by European food markets that offered an intimate and personalized experience. Today, the store focuses on fresh produce, meat and baked goods.
These offerings tend to come at a slightly higher price than some other grocery stores.
There's only one Fresh Market in the Wilmington area, located on International Drive in Mayfaire.
Lidl
Lidl was ranked the third best supermarket chain for 2026. Lidl is known for its in-store bakery and low prices. The German-based company found its way to the U.S. less than a decade ago in 2017 and already has stores all over the East Coast.
There are two Lidl locations in the Wilmington area: one at Independence Mall and another on Eastwood Avenue.
Aldi
Aldi came in just behind its German-based counterpart at No. 4 on the 10best list. Like Lidl, low prices are also a big selling point for Aldi shoppers.
One way Aldi is able to provide these lower prices is by offsetting other costs. Shoppers have to bring their own bags or purchase them from Aldi, and the shopping carts need a quarter to be unlocked, which can be reclaimed once the shopper returns the cart. This reduces the need for extra employees to bring in carts from the parking lot.
USA TODAY also highlighted the store's lenient return policy, called the "Twice as Nice Guarantee," in which Aldi replaces the product and refunds the money.
There are three Aldis in the Wilmington area: one in Leland, one in Wilmington on College Road and another off of Market Street in Ogden.
Publix
Publix returned to the the 10Best list again this year, this time a few spots higher. Publix was ranked the 6th best chain supermarket, three spots above its ranking from 2025.
USA TODAY noted that Publix has grown from a single store in 1930 to the largest employee-owned supermarket chain in the United States.
The chain already has five locations in the Wilmington area -- one in Ogden, one in Pine Valley, one in Carolina Beach, one in Ocean Isle Beach and one in Oak Island -- and is continuing to push into the region, with new stores under construction in Carolina Shores, Leland and Scotts Hill.
Charlie Kingree is the Pender County and trending topics reporter for the StarNews. He can be reached at ckingree@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: USA TODAY names 4 Wilmington-area grocery chains among nation's best
