Trader Joe’s is a beloved grocery store chain that is known for its unique products, friendly customer service, and great value. However, unlike many other retailers, The Californian chain does not have a loyalty program. This may come as a surprise to many shoppers, as loyalty programs are becoming increasingly common in the retail industry.
Other supermarket chains use loyalty programs to attract new customers and keep old ones, but there are also supermarkets and warehouses whose business model lies directly on memberships. This is the case of Costco and Sam’s, to mention a couple, but others such as Walmart and Lidl are also open to those who are not cardholders. Yet, Trader Joe’s resists this idea and, honestly, we can all see that they’re doing great so far.
Why there’s not a Trader Joe’s membership program?
Trader Joe’s approach to loyalty is unique in that they see it as a two-way street. Instead of trying to gain the loyalty of their customers through discounts and special deals, they are loyal to their customers by providing great value and a consistent shopping experience every day. They don’t change their prices unless their costs change, so every customer who walks into the store has access to the same values on every product.
Trader Joe’s also doesn’t collect data on their customers, which may seem counterintuitive. However, they don’t need to, because their customers tell them what they want with their purchases. They track which products sell well and which don’t, and use that information to develop new products that their customers will love. From a business perspective, loyalty programs can be costly and time-consuming to implement. They require tracking individual customer purchases, giving coupons targeted to specific interests, and providing deals that are paid for by manufacturers. Trader Joe’s is focused on removing costs, not adding them.
Another key point to consider is that, loyalty programs are not free, they cost money and takes lots of time and resources to track all your purchases. Thus, Trader Joe’s is more interested in removing costs rather than adding them. In conclusion, Trader Joe’s approach to loyalty is unique and customer-focused. They provide great value and a consistent shopping experience every day, and don’t need to track customer purchases or offer discounts to gain their loyalty. They are loyal to their customers, and their customers appreciate it.
As of January 02, 2023, there are 560 Trader Joe’s retail stores across the United States. California has the most Trader Joe’s locations in the US, with a total of 192 stores, accounting for approximately 34% of all their stores in the country. So, if you wanna enjoy the great, affordable products TJ’s offers, just find your closest location and go in: you’ll not need a membership for that. In summary, a loyalty program, for Trader Joe’s, won’t make any sense.