Some of the store brand products (including the wine and beauty products) are made by national manufacturers
Trader Joe's maintains a discreet approach to its vendor partnerships. By engaging directly with growers and manufacturers, the company eliminates the extra costs associated with brokers and distributors. Products are purchased by Trader Joe's and sold to customers under its private labels. Shoppers can trust that private label items meet specific standards, such as being free from artificial flavors, preservatives, and trans fats. Despite this, prices are generally lower than those of similar items at traditional grocery stores.
Official information about Trader Joe's vendor relationships is not publicly available. However, one way to gain insight is by examining food recalls that involve Trader Joe's products. In 2017, a journalist from Eater conducted an investigation by compiling FDA and USDA recall alerts for Trader Joe's items over the past decade. This research uncovered several major brands that have supplied products to Trader Joe's, including Stacy's Simply Naked Pita Chips, Tate's Bake Shop Cookies, and Naked Juice. Additionally, shoppers may notice that some of Trader Joe's wine and beauty products closely resemble well-known brands. For instance, Trader Joe's $8.99 sunscreen has been likened to the $38 cult favorite Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen. Furthermore, many of Trader Joe's private-label wines are sourced from Bronco Wine Company, the fifth-largest winery in the United States, based in California.
Trader Joe's accepts manufacturer's coupons
Trader Joe's official website indicates that the company does not provide discounts, special promotions, or coupons, stating, "we have low prices, every day. NO coupons. NO membership cards. NO discounts. NO flashy promotions or couponing battles at our stores. We deliver the best everyday values, every day." While the store does not issue coupons for its private label products, many shoppers are unaware that employees will accept manufacturer coupons for name brand items at the checkout.
As reported by Mashed, Nakia Rohde, Trader Joe's public relations manager, clarified in an email, "We do not provide Trader Joe's coupons. Our focus is on offering the best everyday values, every day. However, we do accept manufacturer coupons for other brands that we carry." In summary, if you find a brand product that is not associated with Trader Joe's and have a coupon for it, you can use it at checkout. The drawback is that Trader Joe's carries very few items that are not under its own labels.
Trader Joe's will let you return anything, even opened
Trader Joe's boasts a generous return policy. The store accepts returns on items even if the packaging has been opened and the product is partially consumed. If you have your receipt, you can receive a full refund. However, even without a receipt, you can still return the item for store credit or a replacement. What truly sets Trader Joe's apart in customer service is that you don’t even need to bring the item back. Simply visit the manager's desk to voice your dissatisfaction with a product, and you’re likely to receive a refund or a complimentary replacement. As one employee shared on Reddit, "We want you to enjoy good food. The specifics don’t matter to us."
There are several reasons for this accommodating policy. Firstly, companies have discovered that simplifying the return process fosters customer loyalty. Additionally, Trader Joe's values feedback on its products. If a particular item sees a high volume of returns and negative reviews, it may be removed from their shelves in the future. As a Reddit user noted, "They monitor which products are returned, which aids in product improvement, so don’t hesitate to provide feedback. It’s part of what makes Trader Joe's unique."
The best time to shop is in the morning during the week
Trader Joe's locations are famously bustling on weekends, often featuring long lines at checkout and packed parking lots. While browsing can be enjoyable, it quickly becomes less pleasant when the aisles are congested. To steer clear of the crowds, it's advisable to visit the store in the morning during weekdays. One Reddit user shared, "I find that going first thing in the morning works well for me. The staff at my store mentioned that Wednesday is their quietest day."
Additionally, there are other strategic reasons to plan your Trader Joe's shopping trip. If you're on the hunt for new products or popular favorites, it's best to go right after they've been restocked. Fresh produce is replenished daily in the morning and may start to deplete by the afternoon. Store managers have indicated that Mondays through Wednesdays are optimal for encountering fewer shoppers and fully stocked shelves.
If you see a new item you want to try, don't wait to buy it
If you come across a new product that catches your eye while browsing the aisles, it's wise to grab it right away instead of waiting until your next visit. Snatch up those new items as soon as you see them. Remember, you can always return it for a refund later if it doesn't meet your expectations. However, if you delay your purchase, you might miss out.
There's a solid reason to avoid postponing your buy. Trader Joe's, unlike larger retail chains, doesn't have extensive storage space or large warehouses for inventory. When deliveries arrive, employees promptly place the items on the shelves—a process known as "truck-to-shelf." This approach allows Trader Joe's to maintain smaller store sizes while offering fresh products. The downside, however, is that popular or new items may have limited availability. When a new product gains popularity, like the sought-after canvas mini totes, you can expect resellers to swoop in and grab them quickly.
Shoppers can sample anything they want, with a few exceptions
Prior to the pandemic, the sample station at Trader Joe's was a favorite stop for shoppers. Customers could taste products made in-store and enjoy a cup of coffee while they browsed. While some Trader Joe's locations have reinstated in-store sampling, others have not. However, the absence of the sampling station doesn't mean shoppers can't try products before purchasing.
Trader Joe's has a "Try before you buy" policy that allows customers to request samples from employees. There are some restrictions, though; for instance, you can't sample beer, wine, or any alcoholic beverages, and employees won't be able to prepare items like chicken breasts on request. Nonetheless, you can typically sample other food items, with the opened packages usually returned to staff. We advise against taking advantage of this policy by asking to sample multiple products. It's also courteous to be respectful to the crew and to save such requests for quieter days rather than busy weekends.
Don't expect to get delivery or curbside pickup
Unlike many other retailers, Trader Joe's does not offer online shopping for curbside pickup or delivery. According to their official website, "We do not provide curbside pickup or delivery, and we do not partner with third-party delivery services like Instacart or Dumpling because they cannot replicate our exceptional in-store value and shopping experience." Trader Joe's encourages customers to visit the store, where "we can greet you while you browse and ponder – 'what's for dinner?'"
In their in-house podcast, "Inside Trader Joe's," the company emphasized that the in-store shopping experience is fundamental to their brand. They stated, "That experience would not be the same if you were trying to order something from a website that merely displayed products you are already familiar with." Trader Joe's aims to have customers physically present in their stores, engaging with employees and discovering new products. Furthermore, delivery services can be costly, their stores are often crowded even without additional shoppers, and implementing curbside pickup would be challenging due to limited parking space. Considering these factors, it’s reasonable to conclude that you shouldn’t anticipate delivery services being available at your local Trader Joe's anytime soon.
Keep your kids entertained while shopping by having them search for the hidden stuffed animal
Trader Joe's adds a playful touch for children with their kid-sized shopping carts and scavenger hunts. Although the smaller carts may not be available during busy weekends and not every location has them, you can still keep your little ones engaged by letting them hunt for the hidden plush animal in the store. Don’t forget to check for the "Missing" poster at the entrance, which will guide you and your kids in your search while you shop.
These plush animals can be tucked away on shelves or scattered throughout the store. When you reach the checkout, make sure to share what your child discovered with the crew member, and they’ll receive a lollipop or stickers as a reward. Each store features a unique selection of animals, and one Reddit user has compiled a list of over 200 different ones, including a delightful mix of tigers, birds, frogs, squirrels, and much more.
Employees are happy to recommend products
One of the perks of working at Trader Joe's is the opportunity to sample new products as they arrive in stores. When customers visit and explore the aisles, the company aims for crew members to be well-informed about the merchandise and ready to address any inquiries. This aligns with their strategy to minimize delivery services, as they prefer shoppers to engage with staff in-store, fostering what they describe on their website as "a rewarding shopping experience, filled with discovery and warmth." The most effective way to achieve this, and to empower employees to make suggestions, is by providing them with samples of new items as they come in.
A popular Reddit thread poses the question, "Trader Joe's Employees: what are your favorites and what should you NEVER buy?" With 421 comments and counting, it's clear that Trader Joe's staff are eager to share their recommendations. Some of the favored products mentioned include sea salt brownies, Ezekiel bread, and smoked salmon. However, several employees cautioned shoppers to steer clear of the Ranch dressing.
Trader Joe's donates unsold items that are safe to consume to local food banks
Food waste poses a significant challenge in the United States. As reported by Feeding America, approximately $473 billion worth of food is discarded annually, with more than half originating from the food industry. Trader Joe's is actively contributing to the fight against hunger and the reduction of waste through its Neighborhood Shares initiative. According to their website, Trader Joe's donates 100% of surplus food that remains safe for consumption. In 2023, this program enabled the company to donate $469 million worth of food to nonprofit organizations, totaling 104 million pounds of food overall.
A key factor in the program's success is the presence of a dedicated Donation Coordinator at each local store. This staff member oversees local donations, ensuring that food is given to recognized nonprofit (501c3) organizations. Nonprofit groups can submit written requests to the coordinator. A former employee shared on Reddit, "My favorite part of the job was reviewing the inventory on the shelves to identify items that could be donated versus those that needed to be discarded. Every night, we would set aside items that were nearing their expiration date but still good enough to be picked up by a local charity the next morning."
Some brides are buying Trader Joe's flowers in bulk to save on wedding costs
While Trader Joe's might not be the first place that comes to mind for wedding planning, many brides have found that they can purchase beautiful, fresh flowers at significantly lower prices than those offered by traditional wedding florists. The online wedding magazine Brides even provides a guide on how to utilize Trader Joe's flowers as an alternative to costly floral arrangements. They recommend visiting Trader Joe's floral section if you're considering a DIY approach for your arrangements or asking your florist to obtain flowers from the store to help reduce expenses.
Similar to their other products, Trader Joe's keeps flower prices down by sourcing directly from growers. However, there's a limitation: you can't order in bulk online. To get the best selection, it's advisable to visit early in the morning when the flowers are freshly stocked. If you have a specific flower in mind, Brides suggests inquiring with a Trader Joe's employee about the arrival schedule for certain blooms.
Walk if you can, Trader Joe's parking lots are notoriously tiny
A common grievance among Trader Joe's customers is the extremely limited and congested parking lots. Regular shoppers are all too familiar with the annoyance of circling the lot repeatedly in hopes of finding a vacant spot. This issue appears to be widespread across their locations and has even been discussed in the company's podcast, "Inside Trader Joe's."
One of the hosts notes, "When designing a parking area or allocating spaces for a retail establishment, it is determined by the store's size." Since Trader Joe's locations are typically smaller, they have fewer parking spaces, despite attracting a high volume of daily visitors. The podcast mentions that the company strives to secure as much parking as possible from city planners, but in certain urban areas, they lack any parking facilities altogether.
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