I'm a Brit who loves Trader Joe's. Here are 8 foods I brought home to the UK for my family to try. (2024)

FAQs

Why don't we have Trader Joe's in the UK? ›

Will Trader Joe's come to the UK? Highly unlikely, it hasn't a USP here and they don't expand often.

The petition adds: "The Trader Joe's branding is racist because it exoticizes other cultures — it presents 'Joe' as the default 'normal' and the other characters falling outside of it — they are 'Arabian Joe,' 'Trader José,' and 'Trader Joe San. '"

Even in urban areas, less affluent residents choose other stores over Trader Joe's, as it doesn't offer a comprehensive set of necessities like other grocers. As a result of its close association with upper-middle-class consumers, many lower-income communities of color view Trader Joe's as a force of gentrification.

Through our Neighborhood Shares program it's been our long-running policy to donate 100% of products that go unsold but are safe for consumption to local food banks & other non-profit food recovery partners.

No. Trader Joe's is a privately held company. Who owns Trader Joe's?

Owned by a German company called Albrecht Discounts, ALDI is a discount grocery chain that started in Germany in 1948. Decidedly no frills, the company stocks virtually all house-brand products, all offered at very low prices thanks to exclusive deals with their suppliers, many of which are big-name producers.

Copycatting baby brands is not the only controversy related to ethnic food labels that has embroiled Trader Joe's in recent years. In 2020, the company faced public outcry over the store's racially insensitive packaging, such as private-label brands like Trader José beer and Trader Ming's frozen Asian meals.

The company began in 1958 as a Greater Los Angeles area chain known as Pronto Market convenience stores. Coulombe felt the original Pronto Markets were too similar to 7-Eleven, which he described as the "800-pound gorilla of convenience stores", and was concerned that the competition would be too heavy.

In 1979, meanwhile, Aldi Nord purchased the U.S. operations of Trader Joe's, which had been founded in California in 1958. Trader Joe's operates as a separate division of the parent.

"Can you please tell us once and for all, are our crew members told to flirt with customers?," asks Tara Miller, one of the co-hosts of the podcast. Bryan Palbaum quickly responds, "Definitively, no."

What is Trader Joe's biggest seller? ›

The #1 Overall award went to Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips.

New York, New York. Let me just say, this TJ's is always busy no matter what time you shop. The two-story building on 72nd Street and Broadway is known to the busiest Trader Joe's in the world. It's basically a tourist attraction for any diehard TJ's fans—and you might even spot celebrities there.

In a time when kitchen essentials like eggs and milk have skyrocketed in price, Trader Joe's stores have largely weathered the storm of inflation. Because of their direct relationship with suppliers and curated stock, the chain manages to keep prices low.

As a member of the Crew, you do a little of everything—and handle a lot. So does everyone along with you. From running the register, to stocking shelves, to creating a beautiful display; all while making sure that every customer has a fun, friendly and informative shopping experience.

Beyond the rules that the workers must follow, those who work at Trader Joe's genuinely love their jobs, which keeps them wanting to come back to work with a happy attitude every day. Their efforts are fairly compensated, causing employees to feel fulfilled by their hard work.

Is there a Trader Joe's in the UK or London ...

girl gone london

https://girlgonelondon.com

girl gone london

https://girlgonelondon.com

And what's not to love? With its unusual store locations, organic food selection and all-around good branding, Trader Joe's is a popular American grocer...

Why Trader Joe's Sucks: The World's Worst ...

Thrillist

https://www.thrillist.com

Thrillist

https://www.thrillist.com

Everybody loves Trader Joe's. But shopping at the value chain is basically like shopping in hell.

Don't Shop At Trader Joe's Until You Read This

Mashed

https://www.mashed.com

Mashed

https://www.mashed.com

It's hard to imagine shopping hacks at a place that doesn't even have a frequent shopper card, but read this before shopping at Trader Joe's again.

Aldi Nord also owns the Trader Joe's grocery chain in the United States which operates separately from the group. Aldi Süd owns the Winn-Dixie and Harveys supermarket chains in the southern United States. Aldi is the chief competitor of the similar German discount chain Lidl in several markets.

It's a common misconception that Lidl and Aldi are owned by the same company -- but they're not, they're both simply German. The reason folks might make this mistake is that Aldi and Trader Joe's are owned by Aldi Nord.

While there is no formula or demographic requirement behind where Trader Joe's sets up shop, analyses show that they tend to do so in counties where the average household income is about $10,000 above the median, per a 2018 episode of the "Freakonomics" podcast.

Trader Joe's and Aldi were fairly aligned with respect to most pantry and meat products, and the winner of the lowest price seesawed from item to item. The big exception is that Trader Joe's seems untouchable when it comes to discount prices on coffee, oils and nuts. (Who exactly is Joe trading with? The devil?)