Why Doesn't Trader Joe's Have Self-Checkout?

The self-checkout. Some shoppers love them and some hate them. In fact, the love/hate divide is almost an even split, with around 48% of people saying they always use self-checkouts. They are the grocery store's bane of controversy and they've been a source of frustration for many people over the last few years, especially as they have grown in popularity and use due to the pandemic. Despite the conflicting feelings surrounding them, though, they are here to stay. 

Self-checkout technology has been around since the 1990s, but it wasn't until the early 2000s that these machines became more widespread in retail stores. One of the main drivers behind the adoption of self-checkout was the desire to reduce labor costs. With self-checkout machines, retailers could reduce the number of checkout staff required, which helped to cut labor costs. Self-checkout machines also allowed customers to check out quickly, without having to wait in long lines. Today, self-checkout is a common feature in many retail stores, but there's one popular store you won't see them in – Trader Joe's.

Trader Joe's is known for its unique customer experience and personal touch, which is why the company has chosen not to implement self-checkout technology in its stores. The company's philosophy is to provide a friendly and personalized shopping experience, and they believe that this is best achieved through face-to-face interactions with their customers. Trader Joe's is also a smaller grocery store chain compared to some of its competitors, and they tend to have a smaller number of items in its stores. This means that their checkout lines are typically shorter and move faster than those at larger grocery stores, so the need for self-checkout is not as great as it may be at Walmart or Target. 

Overall, TJ's decision not to use self-checkout technology aligns with its brand values and its commitment to providing a unique and personalized shopping experience. Kiplinger reported that Trader Joe's marketing director, Tara Miller stated, "The bottom line here is that our people remain our most valued resource...our crew will be in our stores to help you find your next favorite product, just as they've always been." 

Having self-checkouts would take away the number of knowledgeable staff members they have, so they did the opposite of installing those machines. They, instead, hired more employees. 

Self-checkouts aren't the only thing you won't see at Trader Joe's. The store doesn't offer curbside pick-up or online shopping options like others do. Matt Sloan, Trader Joe's vice president of marketing, said that building online grocery services such as online shopping and curbside pickup, is costly and time-consuming (per Insider). Also, like self-checkouts, these practices work to eliminate staff. This is not something the chain will be investing in any time soon, but instead, Trader Joe's invests that time and money in its valued employees. 

Another grocery store staple you won't find at Trader Joe's? Single-use plastic bags. The store has chosen to use biodegradable and compostable bags, such as paper bags, and reusable bags. This is part of their pledge to be more eco-friendly in all of their stores. These practices may be paying off for the grocery store chain. In 2022, Trader Joe's had more than 530 locations in 42 states throughout the U.S., with a staff of around 10,000. The company boasted more than $13.3 billion in revenue in 2022 (per Mundo Obrero Workers World).