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Trader Joe's is looking for population DENSITY per this business article quoting TJ's spokeswoman. We don't have that here. Also to keep costs down you need to be near a distribution center. That info is not easily found online but a website had some good guesses as to where those might be based on existing stores. Lastly, take a look at the cities they did open stores in in 2019.
If it's any consolation, I see Aldi keeps adding more unique products (I know, I know, it's not the same ). I just saw a new bagel seasoning similar to the TJ one.
Another factor, which Friend-Daniel did mention, is an area’s population. More specifically, Stern and Livingston said, Trader Joe’s is looking for population density. Remember, Stern advised, Trader Joe’s is a neighborhood store, so the chain wants density in one spot rather than spread across an entire region.
TJs is overpriced on everything but a few select items. Even if you believe the organic food scam, you'll find equally good produce at a regular big box grocer like Kroger. The packaged stuff that is unique to TJs consists mostly of snacks. Pass on that, and the long lines and crowded aisles. I doubt Morgantown could support one of these, given how few they place even in very large cities.
TJs is overpriced on everything but a few select items. Even if you believe the organic food scam, you'll find equally good produce at a regular big box grocer like Kroger. The packaged stuff that is unique to TJs consists mostly of snacks. Pass on that, and the long lines and crowded aisles. I doubt Morgantown could support one of these, given how few they place even in very large cities.
I'm not worried about the prices so much as the dwindling selection. Kroger at Suncrest Town Center used to be well organized and have a much better selection. Now they moved things around to odd locations, gotten rid of some of the items we used to love, and devoted too much of the store to a starbucks and wine/beer sections, imho. Plus they force most customers into self-checkout, which we hate. I'd rather have a TJ or WF with more limited hours, but always an easy checkout experience.
I'm not worried about the prices so much as the dwindling selection. Kroger at Suncrest Town Center used to be well organized and have a much better selection. Now they moved things around to odd locations, gotten rid of some of the items we used to love, and devoted too much of the store to a starbucks and wine/beer sections, imho. Plus they force most customers into self-checkout, which we hate. I'd rather have a TJ or WF with more limited hours, but always an easy checkout experience.
I could definitely do without the Starbucks. The self-checkouts are good when they actually turn on all the rows. What was the point of installing extra banks of machines when they aren't used??
I shop both a Kroger Corp. owned store in here in AZ & also 4 TJ's here. For about the same deals & products from pasta, rice, salsa, canned goods, dairy or olive oil, etc. etc. to produce to frozen veggies/fruits to soap & toiletries -- I find TJ's to come out cheaper & far better quality in alot of items.
If you spent $100 in TJ's & then filled your cart at a Kroger-owned store anywhere for $100, the sheer overhead of Kroger Corp. & the amount of sq footage & electricity/upkeep/maintenance bills & the amount of workers/stockers/cashiers/over nite crews, delivery sized 53' trucks & their long haul fuel costs & distribution from ofter far away centers -- TJ's would clearly, IMHO, come out way the value & w/ decent items & hard to find TJ exclusive items to boot.
Just my thoughts but why one TJ's would not work w/ their parent Aldi's having 2 stores in M-town is beyond me. Many folks would go just to check out the novelty items. Aldi, yes, lower income geared clientele but TJ's is missing the HUGE college kid mkt as these kids come from PA (Pitt, Philly, etc.) & Maryland & NJ & NY -- & most have ALREADY shopped TJ's regularly back home.
They alone yr after yr could boost a TJ's franchise store here. Plus factor in the incomes of WVU profs/staf, the medical professionals all thru here & Mylan, etc. So... if businesses see this as a potential growth spot city it stands to reason so should the folks who sell food, as it is a repeat business -- as unlike cars --you need food daily even if only a few items but you don't need 20 car dealers & have them only have a repeat customer every 5 yrs or so.
It makes no sense why TJ's demographics folks haven't seen the elephant in the room & rather avoid even consideration of a TJ's in M-town. Hmmm, they're missing out on huge money-making mkts, period, I think.
I could definitely do without the Starbucks. The self-checkouts are good when they actually turn on all the rows. What was the point of installing extra banks of machines when they aren't used??
We have also noticed the dwindling selection at Kroger’s. Going the way of Wal-mart. Plenty of beer, wine, snack foods, pre-prepared foods but less real food for those of us who still cook. Plus, they are pushing out name brands in favor of store brands. Some of the store brands are quite good, but some are awful.
Have you ever looked at the store layout. Almost the entire front of the store is snack foods; candy, chips,etc. Makes it quicker to shop because I can skip most of the store unless I am craving some junk food. I don’t mind the Starbucks because Kroger’s is usually my last stop after other shopping and errands. I usually need some caffeine to keep me going.
As for the checkout, that is everywhere. I was in Target a couple of weeks ago. It was a weekday but they were fairly busy and they had only one register open. All of the self checkouts were in use and there was a line waiting there.
I could definitely do without the Starbucks. The self-checkouts are good when they actually turn on all the rows. What was the point of installing extra banks of machines when they aren't used??
Point taken, but if you're buying more than a few things there is no place to put them after you've scanned them. If you remove items and put them in the cart to free up room it throws a fit. Errors are frequent and you have to wait for the one attendant to come over, if they can look up from their phone long enough to be bothered.
Essentially you're helping Kroger reduce their labor costs at no benefit to yourself, at least in my opinion.
I've actually left a cart full of groceries sit in my cart and walked out when self checkout was the only option. I just walked away from $200 worth of food.
We have also noticed the dwindling selection at Kroger’s. Going the way of Wal-mart. Plenty of beer, wine, snack foods, pre-prepared foods but less real food for those of us who still cook. Plus, they are pushing out name brands in favor of store brands. Some of the store brands are quite good, but some are awful.
Have you ever looked at the store layout. Almost the entire front of the store is snack foods; candy, chips,etc. Makes it quicker to shop because I can skip most of the store unless I am craving some junk food. I don’t mind the Starbucks because Kroger’s is usually my last stop after other shopping and errands. I usually need some caffeine to keep me going.
As for the checkout, that is everywhere. I was in Target a couple of weeks ago. It was a weekday but they were fairly busy and they had only one register open. All of the self checkouts were in use and there was a line waiting there.
Stores like Target that offer no service are just begging for Amazon to put them out of business. For the Krogers of the world they are still lucky that groceries are low margin and delivering them makes them unprofitable, for now.
This is why I want something different in this new grocery store. I know plenty of people who head north to go to WF and TJ. If either one opened up on Morgantown I don't know that I'd ever go to Kroger again.
I'm not sure what is going in the developer sent me a email last week saying he was trying to get a grocery store and smoe restaurants but nothing yet. I thought a convenience store was going in now so i'm not sure if there is a restaurant going inside it or not. The developer may let us know he is on here once in a while but the site online for Mon Fayette Junction hasn't been updated.
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). I just saw a new bagel seasoning similar to the TJ one. 
