LOS ANGELES — Publix Super Markets Inc. once again easily beat all other supermarket contenders in the annual American Customer Satisfaction Index with a score of 84.

Publix Super Markets Inc. once again easily beat all other supermarket contenders in the annual American Customer Satisfaction Index with a score of 84.

The Clearwater, Fla-based chain has led the supermarket category every year since 1994. Whole Foods Market Inc. finished a distant second at 79, but is coming on strong, while Kroger Co. was unchanged at 78.

Supervalu Inc., on the other hand, fell 4% to 74 to tie with Safeway, which had improved its score by 3%. Walmart was unchanged at 71 for its grocery business.

In the discount and department store segment, Target Corp. fell 3% to 78, but remained above the industry average of 75, while Dollar General Corp. improved 1% to 80. Walmart’s general merchandise business improved 3% to secure a score of 73. Unlike supermarkets, which saw their popularity decline by 1.3% to 75, and health and personal care stores, which slipped 1.3% to 77, discount stores rose 1.3% to 78.