Target makes loyalty list

WABAN, Mass. — There most be something to that REDcard Rewards program. Target this week was among the companies with the most loyal customers, according to a new study by Temkin Group. The report, "2012 Temkin Loyalty Ratings," rated the loyalty that consumers have to 206 large companies across 18 industries.

Target with a rating of 59%, ranked No. 8 on the list. Sam's Club earned the top spot witha loyalty rating of 65%.

Supermarkets, retailers, and fast food chains are the top three industries, with an average loyalty rating of "strong." At the bottom of the ratings: TV and Internet service providers.

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  The survey examined three components of loyalty, including:

  
  


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  Likelihood of consumers to recommend companies;

  
  


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  Reluctance of consumers to switch business away from companies; and

  
  


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  Willingness to consumers to purchase additional products and services from companies.

  
  

Here's how some other top U.S. retailers ranked on this year's survey:

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  Publix: 62%, which earned the No. 4 spot;

  
  


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  Amazon.com: 61%, which ranked No. 5;

  
  


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  H-E-B: 60%, which ranked No. 7;

  
  


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  ShopRite and Hy-Vee both tied for the No. 12 spot with 58%;

  
  


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  Winn-Dixie and Kroger tied at No. 16 with 57%;

  
  


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  Walgreens: 56%, which ranked No. 21;

  
  


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  CVS, Costco and Giant Eagle ranked No. 22 at 55%; and

  
  


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  Whole Foods Market and BJ's Wholesale Club both earned the No. 25 spot with 54%.

  
  

Click here to view the complete rankings.