economie

I’m a Brit who went to Trader Joe’s for the 1st time and I wish we had grocery stores like it in the UK

August 12, 20240
I visited a Trader Joe’s store in central Chicago.

Grace Dean

As soon as I stepped in the store, I felt a warm, cozy, homely feeling I don’t get from other grocery-store chains.
The Trader Joe’s store has wooden accents throughout.

Grace Dean

This, in comparison, was the headache-inducing interior of the Target store I visited.
The Trader Joe’s store has wide aisles.

Grace Dean

Both times when I visited the store I saw lots of employees neatening up the shelves, too. It was very tidy.
The Trader Joe’s store was well stocked.

Grace Dean

Artwork throughout the store celebrated Chicago, from this silhouette of the city in Trader Joe’s trademark red …
The artwork made the store seem local and personalized.

Grace Dean

I was instantly struck by all the efforts that had been made to personalize the store. Some of these were at a large scale, like this signage for the flower shop …
Trader Joe’s referred to its “ex-squirrel-ent” quality merchandise.

Grace Dean

These bottles of wine were displayed atop a barrel, adding to the rustic, homely feeling.
This display recommended pairing its pancake mix with maple syrup.

Grace Dean

But the store had paid attention to detail, too. Lots of individual products had colorful, beautifully-drawn signs …
Some of the labels had cute illustrations.

Grace Dean

… and serving tips.
Trader Joe’s manchego cheese was described as a “crew favorite.”

Grace Dean

Now for the products themselves. As well as food, the store I visited sold flowers, plants, alcohol, and a limited selection of household items. I was impressed by how many food products were labeled as organic.
I could see my soul reflected in those apples.

Grace Dean/Business Insider

The bananas were displayed nicely too, stacked on these wooden shelves — though I did notice the 23-cent price tag on its regular bananas. Prior to this spring, Trader Joe’s had held the price at 19 cents for more than two decades.
I personally take my tea with oat milk and no sugar.

Grace Dean

I asked a staff member to point out the store’s most popular buys.
There didn’t seem to be any promotional deals in the store.

Grace Dean

Similarly, there were no signs advertising “low prices” or “bargains.” Trader Joe’s says that it doesn’t have sales, coupons, or loyalty programs and focuses on everyday value instead.

Source:

Some products at Trader Joe’s are definitely more expensive than at other retailers.
I hope to return to Trader Joe’s.

Grace Dean

However, many of the products are organic, which carries a price premium. And some of the flavor profiles are so unusual you wouldn’t be able to get them elsewhere. When I next return to the US, I’m heading for Trader Joe’s.