A Peek Inside My Grocery Bag: Getting Cheap Groceries at Trader Joe's (2024)

FAQs

Are you supposed to bag your own groceries at Trader Joe's? ›

A long-standing question

We don't have hired baggers, so if nobody shows up to do it and you want to leave quickly, bagging your own is the best course of action.” The overwhelming consensus on both social media posts is that, no, you are not expected to bag your own groceries.

Through our Neighborhood Shares program it's been our long-running policy to donate 100% of products that go unsold but are safe for consumption to local food banks & other non-profit food recovery partners.

2012, the company announced their decision to charge customers 10 cents for each paper bag used when shopping. Charges were originally implemented in the Santa Monica location in 2011 after a city ordinance was set in place to eliminate plastic bag waste as well as to help regulate and minimize paper bag usage.

That is: Trader Joe's more or less only sells products under its own brand name, with few exceptions. Trader Joe's is definitely cheaper than the average grocery store, but you might have to wait in a longer checkout line to take advantage of them.

For anyone who's shopped at Trader Joe's, it's already a familiar choice: You can carry your groceries out in a paper bag or perhaps a spare cardboard box, in a tote you brought from home or — if you're shopping lightly/daringly — by hand. What you can't use is a plastic bag issued by Trader Joe's.

Depending on what line you're in (self-serve) or the regular line it is best to have the bagger and cashier do their job which is to bag the things you are buying.

Trader Joe's has a generous return policy — you can bring almost any item back to the store for a full refund, with or without a receipt. This includes food items you've opened and even eaten as well as nonedible products that didn't meet your expectations.

Trader Joe's is owned by families that also own part of Aldi Nord. Trader Joe's and Aldi Nord operate independently. Trader Joe's has no business or ownership relationship with Aldi Sud (including Aldi U.S.).

At Trader Joe's, you won't find a lot of branded items. Instead, you'll discover a store full of unique and interesting products, along with everyday basics, in the Trader Joe's label.

So What's the Mystery? Some of the bags come from different areas of the country — for example, you might get a bag with another state on it — and others just have unique designs only available in the mystery pack. Either way: It's a super-fun way to stock up on reusable bags when you shop!

How much does the average person spend at Trader Joe's? ›

Now when it comes to average spending, Americans are dishing out about $66.00 every time they go to Trader Joe's. Arkansas residents spend the most at $80.50 per trip, and Utahns spend the least at just over $53.00 per visit.

The chain's unusually loyal fanbase is eager for more Trader Joe's branded merchandise, TikToker Heskett said, but Trader Joe's doesn't offer much of that. “You can't buy a Trader Joe's hat, you can't buy a Trader Joe's sweatshirt,” she said. That's why, she thinks, the branded bags have been such a hit.

The #1 Overall award went to Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips.

What are the best days to shop at Trader Joe's? According to employees, the best days to shop there are Tuesdays and Wednesdays because they are the slowest days.

Well, the short answer is that Trader Joe's cuts out the middleman entirely by working directly with some of the biggest food manufacturers across the world, who then make products under Trader Joe's specifications (down to price, flavor, and size) for its store brand.

We encourage you to bring your own bags, backpacks, etc. to avoid having to buy a bag at the store. If you forget, you can choose to go without a bag, or purchase a paper or reusable bag in store. The plastic grocery bag was first introduced in stores in the early 1970s.

With the growing popularity of bringing your own bags, many self checkout machines ask you to add your bags to the bagging platform before scanning any items. This allows the machine to adjust for the weight of the bags.

Compostable Packaging: Trader Joe's has made efforts to use compostable packaging for some of its products. For example, their frozen fruits and vegetables often come in compostable bags made from renewable resources, which can be added to compost bins or disposed of in municipal composting programs.

If a customer chooses to bag their own items, respect their choice, offer assistance if needed, ensure they have space, and maintain a professional attitude. Inform them of any store policies regarding bags.