Each year, Brand Keys publishes a Customer Loyalty Engagement Index that rates hundreds of firms. The results for 2012 are now in: “The Brand Keys data paints a detailed picture of the category drivers that engage customers, engender loyalty, and drive real profits. These drivers not only define how the consumer will view the category, compare offerings, and, ultimately, buy, but also identify the expectations the consumer holds for each driver. The brand whose drivers come closest to meeting (or even exceeding) those of the category Ideal is always the one whose customers will demonstrate the highest levels of engagement and loyalty over the next 12 to 18 months.”

Here are the 2012 retail winners by category:

Car rental — Avis

Casual dining — Ruby Tuesday

Coffee — Dunkin’ Donuts

Drugstore — Walgreens

Hotel (luxury) — Inter-Continental

Hotel (upscale) — Hilton

Hotel (midscale) — Best Western

Hotel (economy) — Days Inn

Movie rental — Blockbuster

Online travel site — Expedia

Pizza — Domino’s/Pizza Hut (tie)

Quick serve restaurant — McDonald’s/Subway (tie)

Retail store (apparel) — Abercrombie & Fitch

Retail store (department) — Dillard’s

Retail store (discount) — Wal-Mart

Retail store (home improvement) — Ace

Retail store (office supplies) — Office Depot

Retail store (price club) — Costco

Video streaming — YouTube

Click the image below to get a free copy of the full report.