Grades are based on a program’s participation in core items across Private and National Brands. Grades are designed to show how consistently a program carries the core items available within each brand category.

For Private Brands, grades are assigned to programs based on their percentage of core items carried. The grading scale is based on the top 90% of program participation.

For National Brands, grades are assigned to programs based on their percentage of core items carried. The grading scale is based on the top 70% of program participation.

Private Brand grades are based on the percentage of core items a program carries:

• A: 90% or higher
• B: 80%–89.9%
• C: 70%–79.9%
• D: 60%–69.9%
• F: Below 60%

National Brand grades are based on the percentage of core items a program carries:

• A: 70% or higher
• B: 60%–69.9%
• C: 50%–59.9%
• D: 40%–49.9%
• F: Below 40%