Customer service is easy for a retailer to talk about. It means more when customers help do the talking.
In 2026, Heartland America was recognized in two national USA TODAY studies: America's Best Customer Service and America's Best Stores. The two programs measured different parts of the shopping experience, but they shared an important element: feedback from thousands of U.S. consumers.
For Heartland America, that makes the recognition especially meaningful. Since 1985, the company's approach has centered on serving value-conscious shoppers with useful products, straightforward pricing and access to real people when help is needed.
Two National Recognitions in One Year
The two USA TODAY studies looked at Heartland America from different perspectives.
America's Best Customer Service
Heartland America was recognized among companies evaluated for the service customers receive when they need information, assistance or support.
The nationwide study incorporated customer feedback along with online reviews and other publicly available information.
32,000+ U.S. consumers surveyedAmerica's Best Stores
Heartland America was also recognized in the America's Best Stores 2026 study, which looked more broadly at consumers' experiences with online and physical retailers.
Thousands of retailers were considered before the final companies were identified.
24,000+ U.S. customers surveyedWhy the Customer Feedback Behind the Awards Matters
USA TODAY's research partner, Plant-A Insights Group, says more than 21,000 companies were initially considered for the America's Best Customer Service research. More than 32,000 U.S. consumers then participated in the nationwide customer survey.
For America's Best Stores, more than 7,500 retailers were considered in the initial review, while more than 24,000 U.S. customers participated in the consumer research.
Both methodologies also incorporated additional information such as online customer reviews and publicly available data.
No Applications. No Pay-to-Play.
An important part of the published methodology is that retailers did not apply for inclusion. Plant-A Insights Group states that both programs followed a strict no-pay-to-play policy.
That distinction matters. An award is more useful to shoppers when participation is not simply purchased by the businesses being evaluated.
For Heartland America, the value of these recognitions is not simply having another badge to display. It is knowing that the experiences of real customers helped shape the results.
What This Means for Heartland America Shoppers
Awards can be helpful signals when deciding where to shop, but the day-to-day customer experience still matters more.
Heartland America continues to give customers access to real customer-service representatives who can help with questions about products, orders, shipping and returns. Shoppers can also choose between the website, catalog and phone ordering depending on how they prefer to shop.
That human connection remains a central part of the Heartland America experience. The company describes its philosophy as bringing the best parts of a familiar Main Street store to customers wherever they live.
Recognition Is Meaningful, but Service Is Ongoing
Independent rankings reflect a particular period of research. They do not guarantee what every future customer experience will look like.
Heartland America sees the 2026 recognitions as confirmation that customer service and shopper trust remain worth investing in—and as motivation to keep earning that confidence with every order and every interaction.
Customers who need assistance can visit the Heartland America Contact Us page or call 1-800-229-2901 .
Read the Original Research
About Heartland America
Heartland America has served value-minded shoppers since 1985. What began as a catalog retailer has grown into a catalog and digital shopping destination focused on useful products, strong value and personal customer service.
Heartland America continues to serve customers online and by phone while maintaining the customer-first approach that helped build the company.