Giant Eagle ranked 29 out of 54 in Consumer Reports' annual ranking of grocery chains, based on voluntary responses by readers of the magazine.

The O'Hara-based chain ranked in the middle for service, perishables and cleanliness.

It scored below-average on prices -- a trait shared with several of the higher-rated chains, as consumers often cared as much about staff helpfulness and checkout speed, quality and selection of meat, produce and fresh-baked goods, convenience and cleanliness than about prices, the publication said.

Giant Eagle bested many other major regional chains, including No. 33 Safeway, No. 39 Kroger, No. 41 Stop & Shop and No. 42 Ralphs.

Overall, the publication said the top regional chains were No. 1 Wegmans, No. 3 Publix, No. 4 Raley's, No. 6 Harris Teeter and No. 9 Hy-Vee.

Topping the list for low prices were No. 2 Trader Joe's, No. 7 Costco, No. 15 Aldi, No. 31 Sam's Club, and No. 45 Wal-Mart Supercenter.

And tops for meat and produce were No. 1 Wegmans, No. 4 Raley's and No. 5 Whole Foods Market.