17 reasons Wegmans is the best grocery store in America

A Consumer Reports survey just named Wegmans the best grocery store in America.

It's easy to see why the mid-Atlantic chain earned high marks with consumers.

From great service to reasonable prices, here are a few reasons why shoppers are crazy about Wegmans.

1. Unparalleled selection.

Wegmans customers rave about the grocery chain's variety of items, which include foreign groceries and organic selections. The international groceries are even divided by region.

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Many of the grocery chain's locations have cafés, pizzerias, and buffets. There are also seating areas where you can enjoy the food.

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Wegmans is beloved for its large selection of craft brews. Some of its 83 stores even have walk-in beer lockers. Don't forget your winter coat.

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The grocery store's magazine section is as good as the ones in many bookstores.

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Wegmans customers consistently rave about the excellent customer service and knowledgeable staff. The chain is consistently named among the best companies for customer service, and Wegmans' media relations manager recently explained to Forbes: "We empower our people to make decisions that improve their work and benefit our customers and our company."

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The hot and cold subs at Wegmans are delicious and affordable. A 7-inch sub costs $5.99 at most locations.

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Wegmans is renowned for its wide aisles, perfect displays, and clean floors. It got top marks for cleanliness in the Consumer Reports ranking.

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Forget running around the store. Wegmans has ingredients packaged together so your dinner is a no-brainer.

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Wegmans has a huge candy selection that includes classics, nostalgic favorites, and quirky finds.

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Wegmans is one of the few grocers to offer healthcare coverage to workers. It also offers college scholarships to enrolled employees, paying around $4.5 million in tuition assistance to employees each year. A Wegmans store in Philadelphia recently had 10,000 people apply for 500 positions, and Fortune ranked it the fifth-best company in the U.S. to work for in 2013, noting that one in five employees are related.

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The salad bar is always clean and fresh, with the best selection we've ever seen. Some of its stores also have a Wings of Life salad bar, where an employee makes salads to order using fresh ingredients and homemade dressings.

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Many Wegmans stores offer day cares, dry cleaning, recycling stations and pharmacies, making it possible to knock out several errands at once.

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Wegmans receives high marks for its custom-made sheet cakes and selection of decorated cookies.

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Wegmans offers reasonable prices on both brand-name and private label products.

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Forget about trekking to the mall for your last-minute gift. Wegmans has your gift needs covered, offering everything from yoga gear to coffee accessories.

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Wegmans is so awesome it famously inspired a musical. Alec Baldwin's mother reportedly refused to move to Los Angeles because she didn't want to abandon her favorite store.

17. Things you can only buy at Wegmans.

From a Wegmans Pez dispenser to the brand's fabled honey mustard, Wegmans is worth going to just for the unique products.

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