TJ’s

We went to Bellingham, WA this morning to visit very good friends. Bellingham is a mere 70 km. away, but having to go through an extremely busy border crossing is a major deterrent.

For a great many Canadians, a trip to Bellingham means a visit to Trader Joe’s is a must. TJ’s is a mini supermarket chock full of goods not found in mainstream stores. The chain is found only in the USA, which enhances its appeal to people north of the border.

I got off cheap today…only C$100 of yummy goodies. Gotta watch that waistline…

For those who are interested, this is how TJ’s describe themselves on their website.

Trader Joe’s is a national chain of neighborhood grocery stores. We are committed to providing our customers outstanding value in the form of the best quality products at the best everyday prices. Through our rewarding products and knowledgeable, friendly Crew Members, we have been transforming grocery shopping into a welcoming journey full of discovery and fun since 1967.

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.

Our buyers travel the world searching for products we think are exceptional and will find a following among our customers. To earn a spot on our shelves, each product is submitted to a rigorous tasting panel process, in which every aspect of quality is investigated in context of the price we can offer. If a product is assessed as an outstanding value, it becomes an essential part of the Trader Joe's shopping adventure.

We know that maintaining our everyday focus on value is vital, which is why we don’t have sales, we don’t offer coupons, and there are no loyalty programs or membership cards to swipe at our stores. Trader Joe’s believes every customer should have access to the best prices on the best products every day. To consistently deliver value:

We buy direct from suppliers whenever possible, we bargain hard to get the best price, and then pass the savings on to you.

We buy in volume and contract early to get the best prices.

If an item doesn’t pull its weight in our stores, it goes away, making room for another innovative new product.

Most grocers charge their suppliers fees for putting an item on the shelf. This results in higher prices... so we don’t do it.

We keep our costs low because every penny we save is a penny you save.