LOS ANGELES — For the 16th consecutive year shoppers have rated Publix Super Markets Inc. as the top grocery chain.

For the 16th consecutive year shoppers have rated Publix Super Markets Inc. as the top grocery chain.

The Clearwater, Fla.-based company’s score of 84 in the recently released American Customer Satisfaction Index made it a clear shopper favorite. The second-ranked chain in the poll — Austin, Texas-based Whole Foods Market Inc. — scored 79. Kroger Co. came in third with a 78.

Meanwhile, other supermarket chains saw their ranking fall from 2009. Supervalu Inc., for instance, dropped from 78 a year ago to 74 in 2010, tying it for fourth place with Safeway Inc.

The survey found that consumer satisfaction with supermarkets in general declined for the first time in three years, dipping 1.3% to 75 on the 100-point scale.

In the rankings of discount stores, Walmart gained 3% to reach 73, while Target Corp. slipped 3% to 78, still above the average of 75 for the retail industry as a whole. Dollar General Corp., meanwhile, rose 1% to hit a rank of 80.