Gene Hoffman

PL Buyer: Joe's Trading Its Way to the Top

August 23, 2010

FROM RETAILWIRE:
While it's doubtful most retailers would want to copy Trader Joe's outright, they can learn some important lessons on how to make their private label lines as appealing to consumers. What lessons does Trader Joe's success offer those looking to develop their own private label programs?      [more...]

Trader Joe's caters to those people who don't want to hop on traditional bandwagons; who enjoy being different; who seek foods of unusual tastes and other cultures; who believe that TJ's private label packages have a distinct personality and are better choices at better prices. TJ's has become an iconic niche master.

But if TJ's were to enlarge their concept into 50,000+ sq. ft. stores, what would they have? Possibly a large and quirky private label supermarket.

So TJ to say, keep marketing what you have developed so successfully in small, desirable doses and stores. The larger world may not be ready, at least not yet, for a broad horizon dominated by a Trader Joe's sunrise.