What do you think of Trader Joes?
Very interesting article about Trader Joes. According to the NY Times, "The funky, gourmet grocery chain is actually owned by the secretive Albrecht family from Germany. Many of the products are made by large corporations — the pita chips are made by a division of PepsiCo and the yogurt is actually made by Danone Stonyfield Farm.
The company has brilliantly seized on the growing sophistication of American food tastes. It offers a much more limited selection than its rivals, thus reducing the anxiety of choice. It has an efficient supply chain (the Tasty Bite Punjab Eggplant that sold for $3.39 at Whole Foods in Manhattan sold for more than a dollar less at the Trader Joe’s in Stamford, Conn.). It fosters community and makes shopping a form of belonging."
What do you think of Trader Joes? I personally love TJs!
The company has brilliantly seized on the growing sophistication of American food tastes. It offers a much more limited selection than its rivals, thus reducing the anxiety of choice. It has an efficient supply chain (the Tasty Bite Punjab Eggplant that sold for $3.39 at Whole Foods in Manhattan sold for more than a dollar less at the Trader Joe’s in Stamford, Conn.). It fosters community and makes shopping a form of belonging."
What do you think of Trader Joes? I personally love TJs!
Tags: Trader Joes
Views: 23
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by FubarGuy on -
We love our Trader Joe's! It's not really possible to do all of your shopping there, but for specialty items there's really no equal. Just this year I was clued in to their Salted Caramels - amazing!
-
Permalink Reply by James Kay on -
If you're shopping for price, Whole Foods can be higher or lower on any specific item. This is a standard approach in markets. They set some items lower than their competitors and others higher. Most people don't go from store to store buying the cheapest items, they pick one store and buy it all there.
If you like being blown away by an incredible display of opulence, go for Wegmans.
If you happen to be in London, UK, then go for Tesco (for price) or Sainsburys {for opulence.)
Well if you REALLY don't care about price, there is the Fortnam & Mason food court or Harrod's food court. But those are REALLY over the top.
-
Permalink Reply by Cassy H on -
I love TJs. It probably isn't the best bargain for produce and meat products, but their snacks, drinks, and frozen food are the best. :o)! I go to my local TJs enough that I think they know me. Yes, friendly staff is definitely a plus!
-
Permalink Reply by FubarGuy on
-
Exactly, the staff. My Wife was in TJ's last weekend and happened to have some lentil chips that are kind of like pork rinds in texture, but spicy, in her cart. One of the TJ checkout people said something about good they are, another employee overheard & before she knew it, they broke out a few bags & were passing them around between checkout lines for everybody to share. That's cool.
Now, I understand the marketing behind it - get your staff jazzed enough to engage the shoppers & in turn sell more stuff but how many other retail stores would actually encourage that?
-
Permalink Reply by Ken Connor on -
I had always thought of it as a gourmet specialty store, which was probably expensive, but since there weren't any where I lived, I never really checked them out. Then years ago, I got a job as a secret shopper. We would go in & check out the store & employees, & see how the people did what they were supposed to do. We had to buy some things, & then go out & write up our reports. One of our customers was Trader Joes. I then became familiar with them, & now I like them, & shop there when I can, or when they have a special sale.
-
Permalink Reply by Melina on -
I love Trader Joe's! Yes, I can't go there and get everything I need but their products are really awesome and I just adore the individualized atmosphere each store has.
-
Permalink Reply by Alyssa Anda on -
I don't think I've ever been to Trader Joe's. Though, I remember always wanting to go there. Even my little sister wants to go. I should definitely check that store out!
-
Permalink Reply by grace on -
I love Trader Joes, but is it just in S. California (specifically L.A.) that their parking lots are too small? A couple weeks ago I was shopping and I dropped my cell phone. One of the guys who was in the aisle went way under neath the aisle without gloves to retrieve it for me. It was such a nice gesture! I definitely love TJ's as a mother of 2 toddlers since they have such yummy heat-n-serve type food. It is never a chore to go there.
© 2013 Created by alice.
