WABAN, Mass. — A recent survey of 10,000 American consumers indicates that several mass market retail chains are leaders when it comes to winning customer loyalty.

A recent survey of 10,000 American consumers indicates that several mass market retail chains are leaders when it comes to winning customer loyalty.

The survey, conducted by Temkin Group, measured loyalty to 206 large companies in 18 different industries, ranging from airlines and appliance makers to health plans and Internet service providers. The poll used three criteria to measure loyalty:

• Likelihood of recommending a company;
• Reluctance to switch business to another company;
• Willingness to purchase additional products and services from a company.

Retailers dominated the top ranks, with Walmart’s Sam’s Club division coming in first, followed by Aldi in second and Publix Super Markets Inc. in the No. 4 spot, followed by Amazon.com. ­H-E-B ranked seventh, and Target Corp. was in eighth place. Two more supermarket operators, Hy-Vee Inc. and ShopRite Supermarkets Inc., tied for 12th place, while Winn-Dixie Stores Inc., Kroger Co. and Home Depot Inc. all tied at No. 16.

Farther back were Walgreen Co. at No. 21, followed by CVS/Pharmacy, Costco Wholesale Corp. and Giant Eagle Inc. in 22nd place. Walmart ranked 40th in the survey.