Trader Joe's Products (2017–)

[blue_dolphin]

1 hour ago, Ddanno said:

I did warn you in my intro post about stoopid questions.

 

What is Trader Joe's exactly? Searching online just pegs it to any other supermarket, but you folk seem to be pretty enthusiastic about it - hence this entire thread - so there must be something I am (once again) missing. 

 

What's different about it from err.. I dunno, Safeway?( that's still a US supermarket right?)

My 2 cents is that TJ's is more of a niche market rather than a supermarket.  They don’t carry everything one might want in their weekly shopping, though they keep getting closer. They never carried any fresh produce at all (maybe bananas and apples?) until a big grocery union strike here in SoCal (Oct 2003) shut down the chain supermarkets and TJ's picked up the slack. Costco, Target and other retailers also jumped into the fray but TJ's was the most nimble and it was a big turning point for them. Still no name brands. Lots of their own private label stuff. There are similarities to Aldi, though I find them quite different. Most of Aldi's private label stuff is packaged to be almost indistinguishable from the big name brands while TJ's tends to go for more trendy items than copycats though both sell at lower price points than their competitors. 
 

Edited 2 hours ago by blue_dolphin (log)

[Shel_B]

Service and a stong motivation to have happy and satisfied customers.

 

In no particular order, you can return anyhing at any time, no questions asked.

 

Tangentially, I was at the dairy case one day looking at something and unsure if I wanted it. One of the staff saw me, said that I should go ahead and try it, and if I didnt like it, it would be no problem. I didn't even have to pay for the item first.

 

I was told thatTJ's wants people to try new-to-them items.

 

They have some unique items, things you'll not see anywhere else. And their prices are lower than nearby markets, like Safeway. I can sometimes buy at Costco prices without having to buy Costco quantities.

 

The staff is always happy to help and offer suggestions. I've never encountered a grumpy staff member.

 

TJ's is a pleasant place to shop.

[Alex]

2 hours ago, Ddanno said:

I did warn you in my intro post about stoopid questions.

 

What is Trader Joe's exactly? Searching online just pegs it to any other supermarket, but you folk seem to be pretty enthusiastic about it - hence this entire thread - so there must be something I am (once again) missing. 

 

What's different about it from err.. I dunno, Safeway?( that's still a US supermarket right?)

 

Then there's this book.

 

[blue_dolphin]

11 minutes ago, Shel_B said:

I was told thatTJ's wants people to try new-to-them items.

Very much so!  You can always purchase just one can or bottle from a six-pack or any multi-pack of drinks (alcoholic or non) and, as you said, return anything without question. 

[Shel_B]

And let's not forget their tasting kiosks, and the Fearless Flyer newsletter ... informative, funny, and a worthwhile read.