While Californian's regard Trader Joe's as another grocery store, New Yorkers treat it as if it's the next big thing. It's always packed, particularly on weekends when two employees maintain their post at the very back of the line, letting customers know EXACTLY where they need to line up -- which is typically at the entrance of the store. Crazy, right?
But completely understandable for three reasons:
1. It's inexpensive. Everything in NYC is crazy expensive. A bag of romaine hearts sells for an average of $5.
2. They offer a variety of great tasting products that are innovative, gourmet and representative of different ethnic cuisines.
3. It's the only location in Manhattan.
I feel particularly strongly about the 2nd reason I mentioned, because I believe that this is what makes Trader Joe's so popular. Trader Joe's is pretty magical... It provides the masses with a better value than Whole Foods, and still delivers interesting trend forward products that taste great.
I recently got into an argument with my boyfriend about this exact subject. While he agreed that they offer consumers affordable multicultural products, he completely dismissed my comment that Trader Joe's is innovative and trend forward. I could recount our entire conversation, product per product but I feel that the following lists do a better job of supporting my point of view. I will, however, say that I love their green tea yogurt dearly (though I have been unable to find it recently) and am excited to try their new edamame hummus!
Exhibit A:
Trader Joe's top 50 favored products of 2008.
Notable items: Veggie and Flaxseed Tortilla Chips, Freeze Dried Mango Slices, Frozen Buffalo Burgers, Five Seed Almond Bars, Greek Yogurt
Exhibit B:
Trader Joe's Culinary Solutions to Familiar Resolutions for $1.99 or less.
Not only does this list mention several trend-forward products, it also demonstrates that Trader Joe's is still able to be innovative during this challenging economic time by promoting interesting products that are sensitive to consumers' financial constraints.
Notable items: Soy Chorizo, Aloe Vera Chunks, Trek Mix Nuts About Antioxidants Bars, Dried Dragon Fruit
2 comments:
amazing find. i think exorbitant grocery prices apply to hoboken as well. this should help when i move!
i adore trader joes. it's one of the things i miss most about the US. on my first day in boston, my room mate took me there, i loved it.
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