In this day and age, shoppers are fickle. Whether it’s because they’re sensitive to prices, influenced by social media, or just faced with too many choices, it’s hard for some brands to survive for the long haul.
That’s not the case with Trader Joe’s. The company is built on loyal customers, offbeat products, low prices, and a super-friendly shopping experience.
It even has its own cadre of social media influencers (just search #traderjoesobsessed and you’ll see for yourself). The store has dozens of literal fan pages across all the socials, a popular blog that features recipes and household tips, plus a podcast where the marketing team drops all sorts of insider knowledge.
Trader Joe’s has its quirks, too.
The company refuses to add self-checkout lanes or smart carts with a screen on the front. And you’ll never find a shelf-stocking robot in a TJ’s. But the company’s commitment to low tech is one of the reasons the company is able to keep its prices low.
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Trader Joe’s stocks fewer items, but has all the staples and then some
As most shoppers quickly realize, Trader Joe’s is a small store that carries a fraction of the items found in bigger chains.
A mainstream grocer like Kroger typically has more than 30,000 items, while Walmart might have 140,000.
Trader Joe’s stocks around 4,000 items, as reported on the Acquired podcast. The company’s smaller footprint and the number of private-label items it carries help keep prices low.
So while low prices might get people through the door for the first time, other things, like customer service, keep them coming back.
Related: Trader Joe’s makes a private-label mistake
When it comes to customer service, Trader Joe’s routinely outperforms competitors such as Whole Foods, Sprouts, Costco, and Walmart. In fact, in a January 2024 Supermarket News survey, Trader Joe’s beat all other food retailers in the customer service category (TJ’s tied with Publix).
Then there are the snacks.
Trader Joe’s is legendary for its offbeat offerings like Shishito Crisps, Giant Peruvian Inca Corn Snacks, and The World’s Puffiest White Cheddar Corn Puffs.
What if you’re intrigued by something you see, but aren’t sure you want to commit?
Here’s what makes Trader Joe’s different: You can try before you buy.
The unusual way Trader Joe’s wins customers’ hearts and wallets
That’s right, it’s a Trader Joe’s policy to let customers do a taste test right then and there.
The process is pretty simple. If you’re curious about how a chip or cracker, cheese or cookie, or even a beverage, tastes, you can ask an employee to open the package on the spot so you can give it a try.
There are a few caveats, however, and some of them are obvious. You can’t taste meat, baking mix, or any food that requires preparation. Frozen foods are an obvious no-no, unless they’re desserts like ice cream sandwiches or mochi.
The taste-and-see practice fell out of favor during Covid when the chain also scaled back on its food sampling stands, but it’s back.
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While there may be some store managers who frown on the practice, don’t fret. Trader Joe’s also has a no-hassle return policy.
If any product doesn’t meet your expectations, whether it’s a new product you were curious about or an old favorite that just didn’t hit the spot, you can return it for a full refund — even if the product is opened or you don’t have the receipt.
Trader Joe’s doesn’t even have a time limit on returns, making it among the most generous in the retail industry.
Related: Costco quietly fixed a massive customer checkout pain point
