Trader Joe's Opens Friday! (2-14-14) (appointed, sale, 2013)

[Katarina Witt]

Alfalfa's is opening in Louisville on Friday! I can't wait. It will be the closest grocery to my house.
LOUISVILLE GRAND OPENING! | Alfalfa's Market

[davidv]

Originally Posted by davebarnes

Too funny.
Open a business that caters to people who have money in a place without any money.

From what I saw, TJ's prices were pretty much the same as a standard grocery store. The prices were certainly lower than shopping at a convenience store, which is the main option for most low income neighborhoods.

With a smaller footprint and a business model that focuses on fewer/more popular items, it could be a recipe for success in lower income areas.

It always amazes me that the places with the lower prices always seem to be in the wealthier areas.

[Robert5]

Originally Posted by davidv

It always amazes me that the places with the lower prices always seem to be in the wealthier areas.

This is true (other than the high priced islands like Aspen and Telluride). But it has been a long time since it has amazed me. Stores in low income areas have to hire extra security, and still more product disappears off their shelves.

I have been to the TJs on Colorado Blvd twice now. Both visits during off peak hours, and they were still crazy busy. I don't get their appeal. They don't have fresh fish, or baked goods. They don't have 100% grass fed beef. Their produce section is half of Sprouts or Whole Foods. The only things they have that is worthwhile to me are Coconut Oil and Kerry Gold butter. They sell the Kerrygold for $3.19 a block. Whole foods tried to match that price for a while, but are back to $3.99 now. So I just buy 10 blocks of butter and a few jars of Coconut oil when I am in the area. Certainly not worth a special trip to me.

[davebarnes]

Originally Posted by Robert5

I don't get their appeal.

You obviously don't buy prepared meals.
Next time you are there, watch what is being scoffed up. Frozen and cold "almost ready" dinners.
This is where the high margins are.

The only appeal to me is: 500g chocolate bars for $5 USD. Excellent deal. The kid that lives next door to me will be getting one for Halloween.

[KaaBoom]

Originally Posted by davebarnes

You obviously don't buy prepared meals.
Next time you are there, watch what is being scoffed up. Frozen and cold "almost ready" dinners.
This is where the high margins are.

The only appeal to me is: 500g chocolate bars for $5 USD. Excellent deal. The kid that lives next door to me will be getting one for Halloween.

I hate to keep reiterating how overrated TJ's is, but I will anyway. I don't buy any of that.

Where I live, there is a massive Safeway store and a TJ's on the same block. The frozen food section of the Safeway store is bigger then the entire TJ's store. The deli section of the Safeway store, if you include the Chinese food take out counter, the sushi counter, the sandwich counter and all the other shelves of prepared foods, is bigger then the entire TJ's store.

There is absolutely nothing that I could possibly buy at the TJ's ("almost ready" or otherwise) that I can't buy at the Safeway next door with an infinitely larger selection and variety.

[RogueMom]

Originally Posted by davebarnes

Too funny.
Open a business that caters to people who have money in a place without any money.

Actually, it may be a smart move. They may be trying to get a piece of the HUGE food stamp pie. For example, Starbucks is opening stores within grocery stores in my area, which is low income, in order to do exactly that. People with EBT cards can now buy cold coffee drinks and the goodies they sell (cakes, etc.) with those cards.

[denverian]

Originally Posted by davebarnes

Too funny.
Open a business that caters to people who have money in a place without any money.

Trader Joe's prices are quite reasonable. It's not like Whole Foods.

[denverian]

Originally Posted by KaaBoom

I hate to keep reiterating how overrated TJ's is, but I will anyway. I don't buy any of that.

Where I live, there is a massive Safeway store and a TJ's on the same block. The frozen food section of the Safeway store is bigger then the entire TJ's store. The deli section of the Safeway store, if you include the Chinese food take out counter, the sushi counter, the sandwich counter and all the other shelves of prepared foods, is bigger then the entire TJ's store.

There is absolutely nothing that I could possibly buy at the TJ's ("almost ready" or otherwise) that I can't buy at the Safeway next door with an infinitely larger selection and variety.

Maybe you can have all the Trader Joe's torn down after you put a stop to that nasty skyscraper they want to build downtown

[wong21fr]

Originally Posted by KaaBoom

I hate to keep reiterating how overrated TJ's is, but I will anyway. I don't buy any of that.

No you don't, you get off on reiterating how poor some service is or how overrated something else is. We all recognize it, so should you.

There is absolutely nothing that I could possibly buy at the TJ's ("almost ready" or otherwise) that I can't buy at the Safeway next door with an infinitely larger selection and variety.

Asides from cookie butter and Two Buck Chuck.

[Mezter]

The first time I went to TJ, I didn't see the fuss what-so-ever. Now I see why people love it so much. It's pretty cheap, their products are great, and it's really friendly for people wanting to eat healthy.

Originally Posted by davebarnes

Too funny.
Open a business that caters to people who have money in a place without any money.

The prices are actually really reasonable!