Why do consumers like grocery stores so much? Is it that loyalty card that earns them a discount on cereal, or the friendly cashier who gives their daughter a lollipop at checkout? Whatever the reason, 91 percent of adults think supermarkets serve customers well, while only eight percent think they do a bad job, netting them a score of 83 in a recent Harris Interactive poll. Second highest are software companies and search engines, with a net of 67 each, followed by computer hardware companies (64), Internet service providers (62) and banks (61). The laggards include tobacco companies (-25), oil companies (-24) and managed care companies such as HMOs (-3). The pharmaceutical industry has managed to improve its score to 25, almost double last years' 13, and much better than its low two years ago of -4.


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LAUNCH ARTICLES

Perks at the Pump Offering relief to employees. Good Call: Putting service first. Stubbing Out Smoke Breaks: Calling on employees to kick the habit. Hot Product: Put your corporate logo on a bottle of your favorite wine. Survey Says: Supermarkets are top shelf among consumers. Quick Study: Hershey's and eBay team up and turn trash to treasure. Games Women Play: Female-targeted advergames reflect popularity of gaming among women. Survey Says: What CMOs Want. Legal Lesson: One company's costly hazing scandal. Face Forward: Revlon supplies cosmetic counter salespeople with new sales tool. Industry Deals: Maritz divests its European arm, while Carlson Wagonlit gobbles up Navigant. Survey Says: Promotional products continue growth.

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