Meet the typical Trader Joe's shopper: a younger, married, college-educated person earning over $80,000 (2024)

Meet the typical Trader Joe's shopper: a younger, married, college-educated person earning over $80,000 (1) Meet the typical Trader Joe's shopper: a younger, married, college-educated person earning over $80,000 (2)
  • Trader Joe's had more than 535 US stores as of last summer. It employs about 17,000 people, and makes an estimated $16.5 billion in sales per year.
  • The grocer has relatively high customer turnover, though it adds more new customers than it loses.
  • Trader Joe's average customer is a married person in an urban area who is 25 to 44 years old, earning $80,000.

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Trader Joe's is among the largest grocery chains in the US, with annual sales estimated to be about $16.5 billion. The company does not disclose its financials as it is privately held.

The chain was founded in 1967 by Joe Coulombe in Pasadena, California, and as of July 2022 had more than 535 US stores. It employs approximately 17,000 workers that the company refers to as "captains" and "crew members."

Trader Joe's is now owned by the family that owns Aldi Nord, which operates separately and is a completely different company from Aldi Sud, owner and operator of the Aldi chain of stores in the US.

Analytics firm Numerator found that the typical Trader Joe's shopper is white or Asian and between 25 and 44 years old, according to its data. She typically has a bachelor's degree or above and an annual income of more than $80,000.

In a memoir published posthumously in 2021, Coulombe, who died in 2020, said his target customer was over-educated and underpaid, with a taste for whole-bean coffee and fresh brie, rather than "the masses who willingly consumed Folgers coffee, Best Foods Mayonnaise, Wonder Bread, Coca-Cola, etc."

The typical customer visits Trader Joe's 13 times per year — and picks up 15 products for a total cost of about $41.69 per trip, Numerator found. By comparison, Aldi customers spend a similar amount per trip, but visit more frequently — about 16 to 17 trips per year.

Trader Joe's has relatively high customer turnover among the major brands surveyed – second only to Whole Foods – with just over three-quarters of its 2021 shoppers returning in 2022.

At the same time, the brand added more new customers than it lost last year, with a ratio of about three new shoppers for every two that quit visiting the brand, indicating that the customer base is growing. Customer turnover at Aldi was similar, but slightly lower.

Coulombe famously applied a concept known as the Four Tests to the products he chose to stock: "high value per cubic inch; high rate of consumption; easily handled; and something in which we could be outstanding in terms of price or assortment."

At Trader Joe's, shoppers tend to choose pre-made foods like frozen dinners and salad kits, as well as brands like GT's Living Foods and Volpi cured meats. About 2.4% of their spending takes place at Trader Joe's, compared to the 8% they spend on Amazon.

Read more typical shopper profiles:

Meet the typical Trader Joe's shopper: a younger, married, college-educated person earning over $80,000 (2024)

FAQs

Meet the typical Trader Joe's shopper: a younger, married, college-educated person earning over $80,000? ›

Analytics firm Numerator found that the typical Trader Joe's shopper is white or Asian and between 25 and 44 years old, according to its data. She typically has a bachelor's degree or above and an annual income of more than $80,000.

Who is Trader Joe's target customer? ›

Trader Joe's targets singles, couples, and small families

As for who shops at Trader Joe's, it targets “singles, couples, and small families with its comparatively small package sizes, eschewing large families and bulk buyers”, ​said Porjes.

What is Trader Joes average revenue? ›

In 2020, grocery chain Trader Joe's gross average revenue per square foot was about $2,130—nearly double its competitors. Prices at Trader Joe's have held relatively steady compared to other grocery stores.

Which information from Trader Joe's SWOT analysis is internal which information from Trader Joe's SWOT analysis is external? ›

In SWOT Analysis of Trader Joe's, the strengths and weaknesses are the internal factors whereas opportunities and threats are the external factors.

What are Trader Joe's employees called? ›

Crew. 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.

Who is Trader Joe's demographic? ›

Race Distribution At Trader Joe's
RacePercentages
White60.4%
Hispanic or Latino19.1%
Black or African American9.8%
Asian6.3%
1 more row
Feb 6, 2023

Who is the main target customer? ›

A target customer is an individual that's most likely to buy your product. And it's a subset of the broader target market. For example, if your target market is female athletes between the ages of 13 to 25, a target customer could be female athletes in the specific age range of 13 to 16.

Does Trader Joe's negotiate salary? ›

Negotiate Salary

If you think you and your skill set should be valued higher than your offer, negotiate your salary! 20% of men and 100% of women at Trader Joe's said they negotiated their salaries. On average, Trader Joe's employees earn $128,919. Trader Joe's ranks in the Bottom 45% for compensation in Los Angeles.

How much do Trader Joe's employees get off? ›

Trader Joe's is dedicated to making an investment in and for you. All Crew Members currently receive up to a 20% discount on all products in our stores.

Why is Trader Joes the best place to work? ›

Great Wages and Benefits

If they stay long enough, part-time crew members can earn up to $24.75 an hour! They also enjoy paid time off, access to health insurance and a company-funded retirement plan. Those incentives bring some of the very best workers to Trader Joe's, which means shoppers get the very best service.

What is Trader Joe's competitive strategy? ›

Selling more by selling less. To achieve these sales, Trader Joe's has focused on keeping supplier and distributor costs down. Never aspiring to be a one-size-fits-all grocery store like its peers, Trader Joe's stores stock around 4,000 SKUs, a fraction of the 50,000 SKUs in a typical grocery store. [

What are the challenges that Trader Joe's is facing in the current market? ›

“In March, we noted the unique struggles that Trader Joe's would likely face during COVID. The brand's pricing, lack of online orientation, and perception as 'part' of the grocery picture as opposed to a one-stop-shop, were factors that we felt would limit success,” writes Ethan Chernofsky of Placer.ai.

What is a weakness of Trader Joe's? ›

Weaknesses. Limited store presence: While Trader Joe's operates over 500 stores in the United States, its store count is relatively low compared to other major grocery chains. This limited presence can restrict the company's reach and make it difficult for some customers to access its stores.

What is Trader Joe's leadership style? ›

Trader Joe's practices "decentralized command" in which each location has a unique style (including employing local artists to create chalk sketches in the store).

Why are Trader Joe's employees so happy? ›

It's easy to tell that Trader Joe's employees love their jobs, and a large reason for that is because the company invests in employee experience. Trader Joe's pays its employees competitive wages and offers health care benefits to even part-time employees.

What is Trader Joe's famous for? ›

Trader Joe's is known for its unique food products, including seasonal offerings, as well as for its low prices. But Trader Joe's actually was not the most popular grocery store in America in 2022. In fact, a YouGov survey showed another grocery store was just a little bit more beloved among U.S. adults.

Who is Trader Joe's biggest competition? ›

Trader Joe's's alternatives and competitors. See how Trader Joe's compares to similar products. Trader Joe's's top competitors include Tres Lecheria, Thrive Market, and Whole Foods Market.

What is Trader Joe's main focus? ›

We are committed to providing our customers outstanding value in the form of the best quality products at the best everyday prices. Through our rewarding products and knowledgeable, friendly Crew Members, we have been transforming grocery shopping into a welcoming journey full of discovery and fun since 1967.

What is the organizational culture of Trader Joe's? ›

We are dedicated to doing the work, every single day, to make sure Trader Joe's is an environment that is safe, welcoming, inclusive, and respectful for all Crew Members and customers. Read more about our commitment to integrity...

What are the three types of target customers? ›

Generally speaking, target markets usually fall into one of three segments: demographic, geographic, and psychographic.

What are the 3 target market strategies? ›

The three strategies for selecting target markets are pursuing entire markets with one marketing mix, concentrating on one segment, or pursuing multiple market segments with multiple marketing mixes.

How do you attract customers? ›

10 Ways to Get New Customers
  1. Ask for referrals. ...
  2. Network. ...
  3. Offer discounts and incentives for new customers only. ...
  4. Re-contact old customers. ...
  5. Improve your website. ...
  6. Partner with complementary businesses. ...
  7. Promote your expertise. ...
  8. Use online reviews to your advantage.
Apr 6, 2017

How long is a typical shift at Trader Joe's? ›

(a) The first shift (day shift) shall consist of eight (8) consecutive hours worked between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday - Friday. Employees on the “day shift” shall receive eight (8) hours pay at the regular hourly rate for eight (8) hours work.

Should you accept first salary offer? ›

Don't accept the first offer — they expect you to negotiate and salary is always negotiable.” “That's just not true,” says Weiss. Sure, much of the time there is an opportunity to negotiate, but some hiring managers genuinely give you the only number they can offer. The best way to find out, says Weiss, is to inquire.

How much of a raise does Trader Joe's give? ›

TJ's employees are also eligible for a 7-10 percent raise every year and for a 401k plan if they work for more than 30 hours a week for three months. And those are just two of the secrets Trader Joe's employees wish they could tell you. But the positive atmosphere of working there extends beyond the monetary.

How long is lunch break at Trader Joe's? ›

You get a 10 minute break, lunch, then your last 10 minutes break. Each day you also take 10ish minutes to have a staff meeting to go over the product, how well we are doing that day, or just to discuss how well our staff is doing.

Does Trader Joe's pay extra on holidays? ›

No, your hourly pay is the same on all days including holidays TJ's is open.

Is it worth working at Trader Joe's? ›

Fun and Flexible

Great flexibility and fun environment . The pay is highly competitive with raises twice a year. Compare to other retail stores, this is the best store that I have ever worked at.

Does Trader Joe's match 401k? ›

They offer a 6% contribution regardless if you match that amount or not. The longer you're with the company, the better it is.

Does Trader Joe's have pension? ›

Trader Joes offers TRADER JOE'S COMPANY RETIREMENT PLAN through American Funds. Their plan covers 46793 employees.

Does Trader Joe's hire easily? ›

Most people go through two interviews before getting hired at Trader Joe's. If you get invited to a second interview, that means you're very likely to be hired. If you're accepted, and they decide to hire you, it can take about a week for you to start working at Trader Joe's.

What is the secret to Trader Joe's success? ›

The secrets to Trader Joe's success are pretty simple and not all that secret: smaller stores with a limited number of SKUs, a friendly, playful atmosphere, helpful employees, aggressively competitive pricing, and most importantly, the food. It's Trader Joe's focus on food that makes the rest of it work.

Is Trader Joe's a stressful job? ›

Overall, the Reddit post reveals working at Trader Joe's is a pretty low stress job that pays well.

Why are Trader Joe's customers the most satisfied in America? ›

So what was it about Trader Joe's that resulted in such high levels of customer satisfaction? The chain ranked first on atmosphere and fast checkouts, and second on cleanliness, courteous staff, merchandise selection and accurate pricing.

What are the values of Trader Joe's? ›

Trader Joe's Values
  • Producing customer wow experiences.
  • Kaizen.
  • Treating its store as a brand.
  • Integrity.
  • Being product driven.

What is Trader Joe's personality? ›

Trader Joe's personality can be described as friendly, helpful, quirky, creative and healthy. The quirky and creative personality can be seen in the signage around the store and the company's private label products. The stores and product packaging are decorated with quirky images such as a fun comic or catch-phrase.

What is hidden in Trader Joe's? ›

Donkeys, whales, monkeys, and lobsters are just some of the stuffed animals placed throughout stores as a way to keep children and parents entertained while shopping, confirms Today.

Who is Trader Joe's rival? ›

Trader Joe's's competitors and similar companies include Weis Markets, Whole Foods Market, Giant Eagle, WinCo Foods and Raley's. Trader Joe's is a company operating a specialty grocery store chain. Weis Markets is a large regional grocery chain.

What is Trader Joe's brand personality? ›

Trader Joe's personality can be described as friendly, helpful, quirky, creative and healthy. The quirky and creative personality can be seen in the signage around the store and the company's private label products. The stores and product packaging are decorated with quirky images such as a fun comic or catch-phrase.

How does Trader Joe's attract customers? ›

Low prices.

Unlike McDonald's secret sauce one of the keys to Trader Joe's success is not a mystery. Trader Joe's attracts customers looking for a bargain by selling items like wine, peanut butter and humus at low prices, between $2.00 to $4.00. You can also get a banana at Trader Joe's for only 19 cents.

Who is the target market for the store? ›

A target market is the specific group of people most likely to buy your products or services. They're the people you should be laser focused on attracting—the type of people who return again, recommend you to their friends, and rave about you on social media.

Is Trader Joes selective? ›

Unfortunately, Trader Joe's does not have any formula or demographic requirement for where they open new locations.

Why are Trader Joe's workers so nice? ›

So what is the reason Trader Joe's employees are so nice? The answer seems to be that the company treats its employees well, and so employees want to return the favor to the customers. Lucky us. NBC News reports that customers are likely to save as much as 20 percent on groceries.

What are Trader Joes weaknesses? ›

Weaknesses. Limited store presence: While Trader Joe's operates over 500 stores in the United States, its store count is relatively low compared to other major grocery chains. This limited presence can restrict the company's reach and make it difficult for some customers to access its stores.

What is the secret to Trader Joes success? ›

The secrets to Trader Joe's success are pretty simple and not all that secret: smaller stores with a limited number of SKUs, a friendly, playful atmosphere, helpful employees, aggressively competitive pricing, and most importantly, the food. It's Trader Joe's focus on food that makes the rest of it work.

Who is the average target shopper? ›

The data shows that the typical Target shopper is a suburban mother between 35 and 44 years of age. The typical Target customer also has some college education and a household income of $80,000.

What age group is the target market? ›

The usual ranges targeted are; 12-17 18 to 24, 25 to 34, 35 to 44, 45 to 54, 55 to 64, and 65+. These ranges include everybody from Generation Y to the Baby Boomers, and each range has different interests and needs.

Why do people prefer Trader Joe's? ›

Trader Joe's is known for its unique food products, including seasonal offerings, as well as for its low prices. But Trader Joe's actually was not the most popular grocery store in America in 2022. In fact, a YouGov survey showed another grocery store was just a little bit more beloved among U.S. adults.

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