This year has been a challenging one for consumers who are trying to stick to their grocery budgets. It’s hard to stay on track when the price of food goes up week after week.
Anyone who has set foot in a grocery store lately has noticed a higher price tag on everything from beef and bread to eggs.
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Given that inflation is still making food among the highest household expenses, it’s not surprising many consumers are choosing budget-friendly outlets like Walmart, Costco, and Trader Joe’s.
Related: Trader Joe’s cracks down on customer problem
The cost of dining out has gone up, too, which is one reason more people are opting to stretch that grocery budget as far as it will go and eat at home.
Trader Joe’s will remain open on Easter.
Image source: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Trader Joe’s becoming main stop for many consumers
Trader Joe’s started out as a single location in the Los Angeles suburb of Pasadena near 50 years ago. Today the retailer has 608 locations in 42 states, and new stores open just about every month (California has 205 locations).
Trader Joe’s has plans to open at least 20 more stores before the end of 2025. Its growth is strong, with year-over-year (YoY) visits growing by 6.2% relative to 2023. Visits are continuing to grow in 2025, with weekly visits up for every week that was analyzed by Placer.ai.
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Trader Joe’s used to be considered a niche retailer, one that customers visited before or after going to a mainstream grocery outlet, but that is changing, according to the same data. In 2024, only around 5% of shoppers went to a Trader Joe’s immediately after visiting another grocery store.
Related: Trader Joe’s shares new locations coming soon
Trader Joe’s has a vibrant social media presence including a podcast and blog, and on its website, it shares hundreds of recipes featuring its specialty ingredients. All of this endears the company to customers.
You’ll even find social media accounts devoted to #traderjoesflowers, #traderjoescheese, #traderjoesvegan, and many more product categories.
There just aren’t many retailers that have the same devoted fanbase as TJ’s, Costco being one exception.
Trader Joe’s will be open regular hours on Easter Sunday
This year, if you want to pick up some flowers, cheese, or vegan snacks — or a spiral ham, scalloped potatoes, and chocolate bunnies — on Easter Sunday, you can.
Trader Joe’s just announced it will be open during regular “trading” hours on Sunday. (Only the Portland, Maine store will be closed.)
The one thing you won’t find on Sunday is one of the company’s coveted Mini Canvas Totes. The company released the latest pastel collection this week, and they sold out within minutes. Some stores even reported people were lined up outside the stores hours before opening just to grab the bags.
The bags have been a viral sensation, and while they’re supposedly meant to carry produce, people have been seen using one as a laptop bag, an airplane snack tote, or a book bag. Where else can you find something this multi-purpose for less than $3? #traderjoesdoesitagain
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