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- Trader Joe’s
About Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s Company is one of America’s most beloved grocery store chains, known for its unique combination of high-quality private-label products, adventurous food selections, unbeatable everyday prices, and friendly crew members in Hawaiian shirts. Founded in 1967 by Joe Coulombe in Pasadena, California, Trader Joe’s grew from a single small store into a national grocery phenomenon with over 631 locations across the United States as of January 2026. The company is privately owned by the three foundations of the Albrecht family as a subsidiary of Aldi Nord, the German discount grocery giant, following its acquisition by Theo Albrecht in 1979. Unlike most major retailers, Trader Joe’s does not operate a traditional loyalty program, run sales, or accept manufacturer coupons — instead offering permanently low prices on a curated selection of approximately 4,000 products, 80% of which are private-label. The company’s corporate headquarters is located in Monrovia, California, where it is currently led by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bryan Palbaum.
Quick Information
Industry
Grocery & Specialty Food Retail
Founded
1967, Pasadena, California
Number of Employees
Approximately 50,000+ employees across all store and corporate locations
Corporate Office Hours
Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Pacific Time. Closed on weekends and major U.S. federal holidays.
customerservice@traderjoes.com
Website
www.traderjoes.com
Contact Page
www.traderjoes.com/home/contact-us
Careers Page
www.traderjoes.com/home/careers
Products & Services
Trader Joe’s operates with a distinct retail philosophy — a tightly curated store format with a rotating selection of approximately 4,000 products, the vast majority of which are Trader Joe’s private-label items. Their core product categories and services include:
- Fresh Produce — organic and conventional fruits and vegetables at competitive everyday prices
- Meat & Seafood — fresh, frozen, and prepared meats, poultry, and seafood items
- Dairy & Eggs — a broad selection of cheeses, yogurts, milks, butters, and fresh eggs
- Frozen Foods — one of the largest private-label frozen food selections in the U.S., including meals, snacks, appetizers, and desserts
- Bakery & Bread — fresh-baked breads, pastries, croissants, muffins, and seasonal baked goods
- Snacks & Pantry — nuts, crackers, dried fruit, sauces, condiments, oils, pasta, and international pantry staples
- Organic & Natural Products — a wide range of certified organic foods across all categories
- Refrigerated & Deli — prepared meals, dips, hummus, salads, and grab-and-go items
- Beverages — juices, sparkling water, cold brew coffee, wine, beer, and spirits
- Wine & Spirits — an acclaimed selection of wines and spirits at everyday low prices, with many exclusive labels under $15
- Flowers & Plants — fresh cut flowers, succulents, and seasonal plants available at most locations
- Vitamins & Supplements — a curated selection of health supplements under the Trader Joe’s label
- Seasonal & Limited-Edition Products — rotating special-edition items tied to seasons and holidays, which are among the brand’s most beloved offerings
Corporate Phone Numbers
Customer Service Number
(833) 771-0299 — main toll-free number for all general customer inquiries, product questions, store feedback, and complaints. This is the most widely used customer contact number and is available during regular business hours.
Corporate Office Number
(626) 599-3700 — main corporate headquarters line connecting to Trader Joe’s central offices in Monrovia, California. Used for customer relations, business inquiries, and escalated matters. Available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM PT.
Customer Service Direct Number
(626) 599-3817 — additional direct line for customer service assistance and account-related questions.
Legal & Privacy Inquiries Number
(833) 670-4649 — dedicated line for all legal correspondence, privacy-related inquiries, and data-related requests.
How to Reach a Real Person at Trader Joe’s
The fastest way to reach a live Trader Joe’s representative is to call the toll-free number at (833) 771-0299 or the main corporate line at (626) 599-3700. Trader Joe’s operates a notably simple and direct phone system compared to most major retailers, so callers are less likely to be stuck in a lengthy automated menu. Lines are open Monday through Friday during regular Pacific Time business hours. For the shortest wait times, calling early on weekday mornings before 10:00 AM PT is recommended.
Trader Joe’s is famously non-digital in many respects — the company does not have a traditional online ordering platform or self-service complaint portal. The most effective ways to contact the company are by phone at (833) 771-0299 or by email at customerservice@traderjoes.com. For in-store issues, the most direct and fastest path to a resolution is always to speak with the Captain — Trader Joe’s term for its store managers — directly at the location where your issue occurred.
Trader Joe’s Headquarters & Corporate Office Address
Trader Joe’s operates its corporate headquarters in Monrovia, California, a city in the San Gabriel Valley area of Los Angeles County approximately 20 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. The Monrovia campus has served as Trader Joe’s home base for decades and houses the company’s executive leadership, buying and merchandising teams, finance, legal, human resources, and store operations. In keeping with the brand’s low-profile, private-company culture, the campus maintains a modest public presence compared to most Fortune-sized retailers
Trader Joe’s Company — Corporate Headquarters
800 S Shamrock Avenue
Monrovia, California 91016
United States
In addition to its Monrovia headquarters, Trader Joe’s operates a regional office in Boston, Massachusetts to support marketing, customer engagement, and its store network across the northeastern United States. Because Trader Joe’s is a privately held company owned by the Albrecht family foundations, it does not publish annual reports or financial disclosures, and all corporate communications are handled with a high level of discretion. For formal written correspondence, use the Monrovia address above and include your full name, return contact details, and a clear subject line.
How to File a Complaint Against Trader Joe’s
Step 1 — Speak With the Captain at the Store
The most effective first step is to speak directly with the store Captain — Trader Joe’s name for its store manager — at the location where your issue occurred. Trader Joe’s is well known for empowering its store Captains with wide authority to resolve customer issues on the spot, including full refunds on any product for any reason, no questions asked. This is one of the most customer-friendly refund policies in retail, and most complaints are resolved immediately at this stage.
Step 2 — Call Customer Service
If the store-level resolution was not satisfactory, call Trader Joe’s customer service at (833) 771-0299. Have the store location, date of your visit, the product or issue involved, and any previous interactions documented before calling. The customer relations team will formally log your complaint and follow up as needed. Lines are open Monday through Friday during business hours.
Step 3 — Email the Customer Relations Team
For a written record of your complaint, email customerservice@traderjoes.com with your full name, the store location, the date of your visit, a detailed description of the issue, and any photos or receipts as supporting evidence. Email responses are typically received within 1 to 2 business days.
Step 4 — Contact the Corporate Office Directly
If your complaint has not been resolved through customer service, write a formal complaint letter or call the corporate office directly at (626) 599-3700. Mail your letter to Trader Joe’s Company, 800 S Shamrock Avenue, Monrovia, California 91016. Include your full name, contact details, a detailed account of the issue, all previous resolution steps taken, and the specific outcome you are requesting.
Step 5 — File a BBB Complaint
As a last resort, file a public complaint with the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org. Trader Joe’s Corporate Office is registered with the BBB and a public complaint filing typically prompts a faster corporate response. The BBB will mediate between you and the company and expects a business response within 14 days of your complaint being filed.
