These Wisconsin Grocery Stores Have Best COVID-19 Safety: Study

MILWAUKEE, WI — Whole Foods, Costco and Trader Joe's were the three safest stores for shoppers amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study.

Global research firm Ipsos published a new Consumer Health and Safety Index that looked at how well different businesses protected consumers and employees during the pandemic.

Researchers say they first conducted a survey about which health and safety measures were most important to them amid the pandemic. According to the study, thousands of "mystery shoppers" studied safety protocols across 45 major U.S. brands.

According to the study, when researchers studied all 45 brands, only one out of every four employees seen at stores was wearing a face covering, and three out of every four stores did not provide any hand sanitizing or hand washing solution at the door.

Researchers said Whole Foods stood out from the rest of the businesses, with 98 percent of all employees seen wearing face masks, and 91 percent of all employees respecting social distancing boundaries. Almost all checkout counters had Plexiglas walls and contactless payment options, the study said.

Read more to find out how Trader Joe's and Whole Foods fared in the study.