New Orleans' grocery wars: Costco rises as Walmart dips
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Costco grew its market share of grocery shoppers in New Orleans last year, while Walmart's slightly shrunk.
Why it matters: We all have to eat.
The big picture: Walmart held onto its title as the most popular grocery chain in New Orleans metro, according to Chain Store Guide, which tracks the retail and food service industries.
- Walmart had 38.2% of market share in 2024, down from 39.2% the previous year.
- Costco, which opened a second store in the region last year in Covington, made a notable climb up the chart. It went from 4% to 7.8%.
- Sam's, Winn-Dixie, Whole Foods, Dollar General and Target were the other heavy hitters.
Zoom in: The Top 10 list is dominated by national chains, but three local brands made the cut.
- Thibodaux-based Rouses Markets slightly lost market share, dipping from 12.4% to 12.1%.
- Dorignac's, a family-owned store in Metairie, held steady at 1.5%.
- And, Laborie's Budget Saver cracked the Top 10 list this year. The West Bank-based brand has four locations.
The intrigue: Trader Joe's, Aldi, Robért, Breaux Mart, Fresh Market, Langenstein's and Zuppardo's each had 1% market share or less.
- Aldi has made in-roads in South Louisiana after buying several Winn-Dixie locations in metro New Orleans.
- It converted the W-D store on Airline Highway in Metairie into an Aldi and is the process of flipping the MacArthur location on the West Bank.
By the numbers: Dollar General has the most stores (84) of any retailers on Top 10 list, the data shows.
- Then it is Walmart (24), Winn-Dixie (19), Rouses (19), Target (5), Sam's (5), Aldi (5), Whole Foods (4) and Budget Saver (4).
Between the lines: Family Dollar has 45 locations in the region and only 1.25% market share for grocery shoppers.
- Dollar Tree has 35 locations and 1% of market share.
Go deeper: A first-timer shops at Aldi