How to Shop at Trader Joe’s: 25 Tips for First-Timers
I’ve been shopping at Trader Joe’s for more than 25 years and blogging about it here since 2009. I live in the Seattle area, where we’re lucky to have plenty of stores. The question I get most often is: what should I know before my first trip to Trader Joe’s? Here’s everything I’ve learned, from the best time to go to what to buy (and what to skip).
Quick tips for your first Trader Joe’s trip
- Go on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning to avoid the crowds.
- Bring reusable bags. There are no plastic bags at checkout.
- Expect mostly Trader Joe’s brand products and a smaller selection than a regular grocery store.
- Don’t wait for a sale. There are no weekly sales, coupons or loyalty programs. The shelf price is the price.
- Try before you buy. Hit the sample station, or ask a crew member to open almost anything.
- Buy two of what you love. Products, especially seasonal ones, can disappear without warning.
Before You Go
1. Pick the right day and time
Most stores are open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. Tuesday and Wednesday are the slowest days. The best times are right when the doors open (8–10 a.m.) or after 7 p.m. Avoid Saturday and Sunday afternoons, plus weekdays around 5 p.m. when everyone’s getting off work. Trader Joe’s closes on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day, and closes early on a few other holidays. See my Trader Joe’s holiday hours page before you plan a holiday trip.
2. Be ready for tight parking
Trader Joe’s keeps prices low partly by keeping rent low. That often means small lots in busy urban spots, or no lot at all. Be prepared to circle or park down the street. Take a deep breath. You’ll be fine.
3. Bring your own bags (or start collecting theirs)
Trader Joe’s doesn’t use plastic grocery bags, so bring your own reusable bags. If you forget, you can buy one at checkout. The reusable bags have become a collectible thing over the years, with seasonal designs, regional bags for places like Arizona, NYC and L.A., and the famous mini canvas totes that sell out in hours.
4. Read the Fearless Flyer
Trader Joe’s doesn’t do weekly ads. Instead it has the Fearless Flyer, a kitschy newsletter with old-timey graphics and over-the-top product descriptions. It’s barely changed in the 20+ years I’ve been reading it. Pick one up in the store or sign up to get it by email.
5. Know there’s no delivery or online ordering
Trader Joe’s doesn’t sell online and doesn’t offer delivery or curbside pickup. You’ll see Trader Joe’s products on Amazon and eBay, but those are third-party resellers charging a markup. To get Trader Joe’s, you have to go to Trader Joe’s.
Inside the Store
6. Stores are small and can get crowded
A typical Trader Joe’s is around 10,000 to 15,000 square feet, a fraction of the size of a regular supermarket. Combine that with how popular it is and you get narrow, busy aisles. They have small carts that fit the aisles, but if I’m just grabbing a few things, I take a handbasket. On busy days, checkout lines can wrap around the back of the store. They move faster than they look.
7. Almost everything is Trader Joe’s brand
The large majority of what’s on the shelves carries the Trader Joe’s label (or one of its spin-offs like Trader Giotto’s or Trader José’s). Many of those products are made by well-known food companies to Trader Joe’s specs, then sold under the TJ’s name. It’s confusing at first, but once you get the hang of it, shopping is actually easier because you’re not comparing 15 brands of the same thing.
8. The selection is limited, on purpose
Trader Joe’s carries a few thousand items, while a typical grocery store stocks tens of thousands. You’ll find one or two kinds of ketchup, not twenty, and not much in the way of cleaning supplies or toiletries. Fewer choices keep prices down and make for a faster trip. Just don’t expect to cross off every item on your list. I still make a second stop at a regular grocery store now and then.
9. Products come and go, so buy what you love
Like Costco, Trader Joe’s is a treasure hunt. Shelves are restocked constantly with minimal backstock, and products get swapped out all the time. Some items are seasonal, some are limited releases, and even long-time favorites get discontinued. (Pretzel Nuggets, I still miss you.) If you find something you love, grab an extra.
10. Seasonal items are the main event
This is why a lot of us keep coming back. Starting in early September, Pumpkinpalooza floods the store with pumpkin products. Then come the Thanksgiving items in November, followed by Christmas and New Year’s treats. There are smaller pushes around Valentine’s Day, summer and the Fourth of July, but Trader Joe’s really shines from September through December.
11. Stop by the sample station
Every store has a sample station, usually near the back. Samples came back after COVID in a smaller format. They rotate through different products, sometimes several in a day, and it’s a great way to discover something new. It can get crowded around the station at busy times, so be patient.
12. Ask to try almost anything
This is one of the best-kept secrets for first-timers. Curious about a snack, dip or cheese? Ask any crew member and they’ll usually open it so you can taste it. The exceptions are things like raw meat and alcohol.
13. Listen for the bells
Instead of an intercom, Trader Joe’s crew members ring a ship’s bell at the registers. One ring means another register needs to open, two rings means a cashier has a question, and three rings calls a manager. Now you know.
14. Kids: find the hidden stuffed animal
Most stores hide a stuffed animal somewhere in the store. If your kids find it, they tell a crew member and get a small prize like a lollipop or sticker. It kept my kids busy for years when they were little, and I’ll admit I still look for it.
15. Don’t miss the flowers and plants up front
Right by the entrance, most stores have cut flowers, potted plants and seasonal items like pumpkins and Christmas trees. The flowers are a great value and usually last a long time. They always seem to have basil plants, which is nice in the middle of winter. I pick up two or three every spring for the garden.
16. Grab a cheap greeting card
Look for the small rack of greeting cards, usually near the registers. They’re quirky, very Trader Joe’s, and cost about a dollar. Where else can you find greeting cards that cheap?
Saving Money at Trader Joe’s
17. There are no sales, coupons or rewards program
Prices at Trader Joe’s are what they are, and they tend to stay put for a long time. There’s no loyalty card and no weekly sales, just the occasional markdown on leftover holiday items. They’ll honor a manufacturer’s coupon on the few name-brand items they carry, but there are so few it’s rarely worth the effort. To see what things cost before you go, check my Trader Joe’s product price list, updated monthly.
18. It’s not always the cheapest for staples
For basics like milk, eggs, meat and produce, Trader Joe’s is competitive but not always the lowest price. If price is your only concern, Costco or Walmart may beat it. Where Trader Joe’s wins is on its unique products, snacks and frozen foods you can’t get anywhere else.
19. Wine and beer are a great deal (where they’re sold)
In states that allow it, beer, wine and spirits take up a big chunk of the store. Trader Joe’s has its own labels, like Trader Joseph’s beer and Charles Shaw wine, which start at just a few dollars a bottle, plus regional beers and wines from local producers. In states like New York, where grocery stores can’t sell wine, some locations have a separate wine shop next door. Check out my Trader Joe’s wine reviews before you stock up.
20. Returns are easy
Don’t like something? Bring it back. Trader Joe’s has one of the most generous return policies in the grocery business, which takes the risk out of trying new things. Here’s how the Trader Joe’s return policy works.
What to Buy (and What to Skip)
21. Buy: snacks and frozen foods
Trader Joe’s is the king of snacks. There are aisles of chips, nuts, cookies and candy, many of them one-offs you won’t find anywhere else, plus seasonal flavors constantly rotating in. The frozen section is just as good. Start with my picks for the best air fryer foods at Trader Joe’s and the best healthy frozen meals.
22. Buy: gluten-free, vegan and specialty diet items
Trader Joe’s has a huge selection of vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and kosher products, and it jumps on every food trend (Cookie Butter! Everything but the Bagel!). Look for the labels on the shelf tags. If you’re gluten-free, see my gluten-free Trader Joe’s reviews.
23. Know: most produce is prepackaged
Most vegetables come in fixed-size bags or clamshells, so you can’t grab just a handful of green beans. Bananas, apples and potatoes are often sold individually, but very little is sold by weight. Plan your meals so you use up what you buy. Produce quality can be hit or miss, so check dates and look things over.
24. Know: the meat selection is limited
All the meat is prepackaged, so it’s hard to get a specific cut or size, and there’s no butcher counter. Chicken is your best bet, and the holiday turkeys are a great deal.
25. Skip: the toilet paper
Sad to say, paper products aren’t Trader Joe’s strength. The paper towels are OK, but I’d buy toilet paper somewhere else.
Trader Joe’s Shopping FAQ
What is the best day to shop at Trader Joe’s?
Tuesday and Wednesday are the least crowded days, especially right at opening or after 7 p.m. Saturday is the busiest day of the week.
Does Trader Joe’s deliver or offer online ordering?
No. Trader Joe’s doesn’t offer delivery, curbside pickup or online ordering. You have to shop in person.
Does Trader Joe’s take coupons?
Only manufacturer coupons on the few name-brand items they carry. There are no coupons for Trader Joe’s brand products.
Does Trader Joe’s have a rewards program?
No. There’s no loyalty card or member pricing. Everyone pays the same everyday price.
Why do Trader Joe’s employees ring bells?
The bells are how crew members communicate at checkout. One ring opens another register, two rings means a question, and three rings calls a manager.
Is Trader Joe’s cheaper than other grocery stores?
Often, yes, especially for snacks, frozen meals, wine and specialty items. For basic staples like milk and meat, discount stores like Costco and Walmart can be cheaper.
Final Thoughts
Trader Joe’s is an acquired taste. It takes a trip or two to learn your way around and figure out your favorites, but once you do, it’s hard to go back. I love that the stores are small and the products are fun. The only thing I really can’t stand is the parking. Happy shopping!