Inside Trader Joe's

Episode 104: Inside Trader Joe's Goes Back to the Future

One-hundred-and-sixty-two years ago, we started a podcast. Well, actually, it wasn't quite that long ago. We started Inside Trader Joe's in 2018, thinking it would be a five-episode opportunity for us to tell our story from our point of view. And now here we are, eight years and more than 100 episodes later. Our crystal ball did not reveal this future, and yet, as we look back on those original episodes – the First Five, if you will – we're struck by how much remains the same. We're still all about the products, our Values still guide us, we're definitely dedicated to not taking ourselves too seriously, the store is still most definitely our brand, and we take great pride in being good neighbors, in every neighborhood Trader Joe's. Take a little walk down memory lane with us as we revisit the First Five. And keep listening for more – just like you'll always find new products in your neighborhood store, we always have more stories to tell! Transcript (PDF) [https://www.traderjoes.com/content/dam/trjo/pdfs/transcripts/ITJ-ep104-back-to-future.pdf]

Episode 103: Trader Joe's Springs Into a Bunch of Great New Products

It's almost spring. Finally. Winter has certainly made the most of itself, and we are jumping into the opportunity to welcome this season of renewal the best way we know how – with a whole bunch of new Trader Joe's products! While delicious new snacks and sweets lead the way – we're talking Salted Caramel Mochi and Sweet Onion Pretzel Sticks – we also have a chance to chat about new Meat and Seafood offerings, and talk Tulips with our resident experts. And unlike some episodes of ITJ that feature predominantly limited availability items, this one is jam-packed with great stuff we're planning to offer every day, in every Trader Joe's store. Listen in, then make your own list and visit your neighborhood store to get the goods. How to Create a Spring Tulip Arrangement [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvBPccZJPzw&list=PLCrdub28TFLoDRebHQDba1kbHoHlrRy2V&index=8] Transcript (PDF) [https://www.traderjoes.com/content/dam/trjo/pdfs/transcripts/ITJ-ep103-spring-list.pdf]

Episode 102: This Blonde Chocolate Walks Into Trader Joe's

Sometimes a chocolate bar is just a chocolate bar. And sometimes it's something else entirely. Sometimes it's an experience, and sometimes that experience comes with a remarkable history. Trader Joe's Blonde Bar, our first foray into the world of blonde chocolate, is this kind of chocolate bar. Join us as we pay a visit to our Italian bean-to-bar chocolate supplier, where the third generation of the founding family is both honoring their history and embracing modern technologies to push the boundaries of what's possible. Transcript (PDF) [https://www.traderjoes.com/content/dam/trjo/pdfs/transcripts/ITJ-ep102-blonde-bar.pdf]

Episode 101: Trader Joe's Gets Fresh (and Deli) for 2026

At Trader Joe's, we take product quality, freshness, and value very seriously. In every part of the store, every day. So, when we sat down with a couple of our Category Managers to talk about how they approach freshness and quality, as well as innovation and great taste, there was a lot to discuss. In this episode we're up close and personal with our Fresh and Deli folks. What's the difference between Fresh and Deli? Listen in and find out. We're also sharing some sneak peaks into some new products you'll be seeing in our refrigerated cases… very soon. Transcript (PDF) [https://www.traderjoes.com/content/dam/trjo/pdfs/transcripts/ITJ-ep101-fresh-deli.pdf]

Episode 100: The 17th Annual Customer Choice Awards

The votes are in, and the time has come to reveal the winners of the 17th Annual Trader Joe's Customer Choice Awards! Seventeen years of celebrating our customers' favorite products, as voted by you, our customers. It's just as exciting to us this year as it was in year one. Favorite cheese? It's here. Favorite snack? It's a crunchy one. Favorite Trader Joe's product overall? It's delicious! We have the results, including a couple of surprises – headscratchers, really, and we're here for 'em. Listen in for all the details, and visit traderjoes.com for the full list. We close out this episode with a little self-indulgence (even more than usual!), and a look toward what's ahead. Transcript (PDF) [https://www.traderjoes.com/content/dam/trjo/pdfs/transcripts/ITJ-ep100-CCA17.pdf]