I went to the relatively new Trader Joes in my neighborhood this week. I haven’t shopped in this store for years. I don’t understand why it is so popular.
I found the produce section to be tiny, with no indication of where the produce came from (those red bell peppers likely shipped all the way from who knows where…). I also found distasteful the large portion of vegetables prepackaged. The packaging is a waste (bags are smaller and reusable), and I can’t sort through the items. I glanced at green beans in a package and found them brown and gray in places! Not appetizing.
What I do like about the store is the select offerings of one food type. There are not shelves and shelves of prepackaged this and that. There are a few types of product, not twenty or thirty.
When I talk to people who like Trader Joes, often the reason why is their unique selection of snack foods. Not a good enough reason for me.
I’m all ears – if you like shopping at Trader Joes, why?
I’ll continue going to Puget Consumer’s Co-op as my first choice grocery store. It is local, responsible (source of produce indicated) and responsive to its shoppers. Go PCC!