Trader Joe’s is a privately held grocery chain, ranked 27th in America, with 353 stores, in 27 States, and Washington, D.C.
History
In 1958, founder Joe Coulombe managed the new Pronto Markets chain in California, which later becomes Trader Joe’s. Joe Coulombe developed the idea of the Trader Joe South Seas motif while on vacation in the Caribbean. He liked the idea of bringing home new and unique items that were not available in the local markets, at that time. In the beginning, some of the stores offered meats provided by butchers who leased space in the stores, as well as other fresh picked fruits and vegetables from local producers.
The first Trader Joe’s store debuted in South Pasadena, California in 1967. 12 years later, it was bought out by the Albrecht family. Joe Coulombe remained active within the company as a counselor until 1988, until he was succeeded by longtime friend and colleague John V. Shields.
Trader Joe’s starts to really take off at this time, and reaches about $150 million in sales in 1989. Steady growth compels the executives at Trader Joe’s to expand beyond California, into Arizona, pushing their number of stores to 59 in 1989.
By 1994, Trader Joe’s is consistently reaching $600 million in US sales annually, and opens stores in Seattle and Oregon. With the addition of the Trader Joe’s web site in 1996, they also open up more stores on the East Coast, in Boston, Washington, D.C., and New York. Along with this move, they also expand their nonfood specialty business.
Having outgrown their present location, Trader Joe’s decides to move the company headquarters to Monrovia, California. They also made the move away from genetically modified ingredients from its private-label products; and decided to exclude products from China amidst claims that organic food from this country contained less than true organic ingredients.
By 2009, Trader Joe’s had grown to a total of 353 stores, in 27 States, including Washington, D.C., with sales of over $8 billion US.
Stats
Headquarters: Monrovia, California
No. of Stores: 353 (2010)
No. of Employees: 7,488 (2001)
Geography: 353 stores, in 27 States, including Washington, D.C.
Special Services: gourmet foods, organic foods, vegetarian food, unusual frozen foods, imported foods, domestic and imported wine and beer, and staples like bread, cereal, eggs, dairy, coffee and produce. Non-food items include personal hygiene products, household cleaners, vitamins, pet food, plants, and flowers.
Trader Joe’s promises that anything with a “Trader Joe’s” logo contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, no MSG or trans fats, and is sourced from non-genetically modified ingredients.
Banners
Trader Jose’s (Mexican food), Trader Ming’s (Chinese food), and Baker Josef’s (flour and bagels).
Brands
By selling almost all of its products under its own label, Trader Joe’s “skips the middle man” and buys directly from both local and international small-time vendors.
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$59.97 (as of January 8, 2026 16:50 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
How about a store in Payson, Arizona, I would be your biggest customer as I miss the store and have to drive all the way to Phoenix/Scottsdale to purchase my products.
Do you have Epsom Salt in your Store on 20th and Camelback??? Thanks, B.
I would like to know if you have considered a third store in Albuquerque- the recently vacated Albertson’s on Central at Tramway would have great parking and would be very desirable for the many residents of NE Albq and those of us in the east mountains!!
I’d like to ask about your Virgin Olive Oil because of this report. Whole Foods is guilty of selling bad olive oil.
Why the big secret of where the stores are and what is for sale?
Love your powder Chai tea but been having a hard time finding it in my local store,can you tell my why? Can I order it on line?
Thank you
Can you order the Lundberg Rice Chips into the Store in Bend, Oregon? I feel these would be a asset to the other fine foods you carry and they are wheat and Gluten free.
Hello Trader joes, We are wondering if you have tried this great ice cream named *Macapuno Ube* this is a coconut Sweet Purple Yam ice cream. here is the website . (www.magnoliaicecream.com) would you try some and think about bringing it in to your store.? Great Bright Purple color. Thank you.
What salt free or low salt products do carry?
looking to see if you carry meat marinate sauces