Americans’ favorite places to shop

CLEVELAND - Shopping these days means searching for great deals. Whether you're looking for clothes, kitchen supplies, electronics, or even jewelry, Consumer Reports' can tell you where to buy almost anything.

"We asked readers to rate their experiences at major chains, both in-store and online. We asked them about quality, selection, value, customer service, and how easy it was to check out," said Kim Kleman, Consumer Reports.

The Consumer Reports National Research Center rated all kinds of stores, including big-box giants - Walmart, Target, and Kmart and department stores Macy's, JCPenney, Sears, and Kohl's. It also rated two super-sized warehouse clubs: Costco and Sam's Club.

"The biggest complaints we got about walk-in stores were long lines, lack of sales help, and out-of-stock items," said Kleman.

Walmart got the lowest rating for customer service. And when it comes to finding a bargain, Kmart, a store known for its low prices, came up short. Shoppers said they got better values at Costco and Kohl's. Overall, Costco turned out to be the real standout.

"It was the only chain to get an outstanding grade for the overall quality for its merchandise -- be it in stores or online," said Kleman.

And Costco's website also got kudos for value and how easy it is to navigate. "The Costco website isn't just for members. Nonmembers can shop there if they pay an extra five percent of the purchase price," said Kleman, who added checkout is a "virtual breeze" online, unlike the lines people complained about in Costco stores.

Consumer Reports says shoppers particularly praised the quality of Costco's merchandise -- everything from personal care items like cosmetics, toothpaste, and shampoo to kitchenware, electronics, and even watches and jewelry.

Additionally, the regional chain, Meijer, was also included in Consumer Reports' survey. It came out in the middle of the pack. People liked the store's layout, but weren't particularly happy with checkout.

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