Top-shelf reputation

Favorite Texas market topples Trader Joe's as No. 1 grocery store in America

H-E-B is the nation's top grocery store.

Photo by Dave Rossman

For fans of grocery chain H-E-B, “No store does more than my H-E-B” goes far beyond an advertising slogan. It’s a mantra. And a new national ranking proves it.

In the newly released Retailer Preference Index from consumer research firm Dunnhumby, San Antonio-based H-E-B (parent company of Central Market) knocks Trader Joe’s from its two-year perch atop the list. The firm’s third annual index came out January 8.

“Regional powerhouse H-E-B’s move into first place — due to sustained focus and excellence on assortment relevance and private brand — is consistent with Dunnhumby’s findings that some regional grocers are getting stronger and are now going toe-to-toe with leading non-traditional retailers,” the firm says. “By focusing on relevance, particularly assortment relevance, leading traditional grocers are leveraging their location advantages and making convenience a bigger part of determining which retailers are winning and losing.”

The firm surveyed 7,000 U.S. households to gather insights about the country’s 60 largest grocers. The index ranks grocers based on seven factors: price, quality, digital presence, operations, convenience, speed of service, and discounts and rewards.

“One of the most important findings is that leading traditional regional grocers [like H-E-B] are experiencing a resurgence in customer preference, by winning with relevance and convenience,” Jose Gomes, North American president of Dunnhumby, says in a release. “If they can compete on price and quality — the value core for grocers — they are especially well-positioned to fend off the growing threat of non-traditional players. This also leaves them better insulated against an economic downturn.”

As ranked by Dunnhumby, here are the top 14 grocers in the U.S.:

H-E-B
Trader Joe’s
Amazon (which owns Austin-based Whole Foods Market)
Market Basket
Wegmans Food Markets
Costco
Aldi
Sam’s Club
Walmart
Publix
WinCo Foods
Fresh Thyme
Sprouts Farmers Markets
ShopRite

rankings lists shopping

RIP Pete

Dallas businessman and former Schepps Dairy owner Pete Schenkel dies

Courtesy photo

Pete Schenkel

Dallas businessman Pete Schenkel, a philanthropist and former owner of Dallas-based Schepps Dairy, passed away; he was 88.

Born and raised in South Dallas where he worked on his father's dairy farm, Schenkel worked his way up from a Schepps Dairy deliverer to become an owner of the company in 1987. He went on to serve as President and owner of Southern Foods, which later sold to Suiza Foods and became Dean Foods, for which he also served as president and board member.

A statement from the city of Dallas says that Schenkel "leaves a legacy where he will be remembered for sharing his success with others and for his steadfast commitment to serve with pride and humility. Pete was unwavering in his dedication to making Dallas one of the safest large cities in the United States and was instrumental in promoting our economic growth and social vibrancy. We will strive to carry on his legacy by continuing to make Dallas a better place for all."

Founded by Harmon "Hymie" Schepps in 1942, Schepps Dairy traded hands and emerged from a bankruptcy under the primary ownership of Schenkel, who was Schepps' business partner. In 2000, the company was acquired by Suiza Foods Co., which then merged with Dallas-based Dean Foods the following year.

Schenkel was also involved in Dallas politics from the '80s to the '00s, both with sought-after endorsements as well as working on campaigns for mayoral candidates such as Jack Evans and Ron Natinsky.

In 2017, he was honored with an award from the NFF Gridiron Club for his role in helping bring football back to the Cotton Bowl on New Year's Day. He fought to keep the annual Texas-Oklahoma rivalry game at Cotton Bowl Stadium and has been the key negotiator in keeping the game there ever since.

Schenkel served on many influential boards that helped shape Dallas and North Texas, including chairing the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Board of Directors and the Methodist Health Care Foundation. After retiringm he remained active in nonprofit circles, helping direct a charitable fund with his wife, the Pat and Pete Schenkel Charitable Trust. He also served on the board of the Dallas Blue Foundation, which provides financial assistance to families of Dallas police officers killed or wounded in action.

His multiple awards and commendations including receiving the 82nd annual Linz Award for civic service in Dallas in 2011, as well as a Russell H. Perry Award from Dallas Baptist University, which lauded Schenkel for adhering to the highest ethical standards and being loyal to and respectful of friends and customers, as well as his modesty, shying away from the spotlight and shining it on others instead.

He's survived by his wife Pat, three children and seven grandchildren.

deaths