Trader Joe’s: A Different Culture

When shoppers enter a Trader Joe’s Company, BB #:162286 Monrovia, CA, store, they know and expect it to be a unique kind of shopping experience.

Retail experts point to Trader Joe’s organizational culture as differing from other grocers.

First, is employee empowerment: from managers encouraging employees to create an enjoyable workplace to employees taking the lead in providing great customer service.

Second, while the workplace can be fun, Phil Lempert, retail consultant for Supermarketguru.com in Santa Monica, CA, says, there are still “rules to follow, but it’s a more exciting and inviting place.

“Sure, you’ve got to stock shelves,” he adds, but employees “always have their eye on their customers.” And if a customer is lingering or seem unsure about a purchase, workers are encouraged to chat, discuss products, and offer samples—even if it means opening a package.

Third, according to employees with whom Bill Bishop, cofounder and retail consultant for Brick Meets Click in Barrington, IL, and his team have spoken, they believe management genuinely cares about them, with company programs aligned to their needs. One example is healthcare.

“Trader Joe’s has offered healthcare for hourly employees for a long time,” which he points out was not the norm, even though it is more common today.

This is a feature from the cover story of the March/April issue of Produce Blueprints Magazine. Click here to read the full issue.