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Trader Joe's

National chain of supermarkets.

Headquarters:
800 S. Shamrock Ave.
Monrovia, CA 91016
Employees: 50,000+
CEO: Dan Bane
Privately held

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Trader Joe's is a popular chain of grocery stores with over 530 locations across the country with nearly half the stores located in California.

The company is owned by German families that also own Aldi supermarket chain. Most stores are only 8,000-12,000 square feet. Trader Joe's and Aldi operate as separate businesses.

Trader Joe's stores sell organic and gourmet foods under private label names. These names include: Trader Jose's (Mexican food), Trader Ming's (Chinese food), Baker Josef's (bagels), Trader Giotto's (Italian food), Trader Joe-San (Japanese food), Arabian Joe's (Middle Eastern food), Pilgrim Joe's (seafood), JosephBrau (beer), Trader Johann's (lip balm), Trader Jacques' (imported French soaps), Joe's Diner (certain frozen entrees), Joe's Kids (children food), and Trader Darwin's (vitamins).

The stores are known for its Charles Shaw brand wine which sells for as low as $3.99 a bottle.

Employees at Trader Joe's wear Hawaiian shirts and are non-union. They earn wages that are generally above union pay.

Part Time Crew Members work up to 40 hours a week and do not supervise other Crew Members. Full Time Crew Members are scheduled either 40 or 47.5 hours per week and are supervisors. Full time positions include three levels of hourly supervisors: Novitiate, Specialist, and Merchant; and two levels of salaried management: Second/First Mate (assistant manager) and Commander/Captain (manager).

Trader Joe's does not offer grocery delivery or pickup.

History

Originally started as a small chain of convenience stores in 1958 with the name Pronto Markets. In 1967, Joe Coulombe, the original founder, changed the name to Trader Joe's and the first store opened in Pasadena, CA.

In 1972, the first private label brand product was introduced -- granola. In 1982, private label canned corn was introduced and remains popular today.

In 1988, Trader Joe's expanded into Northern California with a store in San Rafael. The first store was opened outside of California in Phoenix in 1993.

Price scanners were installed in 2001 in stores.

In 2002, the first bottles of Charles Shaw wines were sold in Trader Joe’s stores. A fast customer favorite and winner of medals in many competitions, it earned the endearing moniker, “Two Buck Chuck.”

Benefits

Medical, dental and vision plans are offered to eligible Crew Members. Trader Joe’s covers a significant portion of the cost with Crew Member contributions as low as $25/month.

From hire, Trader Joe’s contributes 3.6% to 7.5% to each Crew member’s paid time-off account—or around 5 to 10 days a year. There’s no cap on accruals and the money is yours from the moment you earn it.

Performance reviews are given twice a year with potential to earn 7% increase in annual pay.

The company also provides leadership training, scholarship programs and employee assistance programs.

Employees also receive up to 20% store discount.

Updated September 10, 2021