Trader Joe’s vs. Whole Foods Meghan Maloy Professor DeCarlo MARK 564 11 September 2013
Trader Joe’s
Began in 1958 as a chain of convenience stores; changed name and business practices in 1967
Focus on great food and great prices Target market: educated, health conscious,
socially responsible, middle class consumers Fun environment– employees wear Hawaiian
shirts 80% of products are Trader Joe’s own brand No coupons or sales
Whole Foods “America’s Healthiest Grocery
Store™” Primarily natural and organic
products Focus on sustainability Target market: health
conscious, socially responsible, upper class college graduates
Ads focus on value and quality
Points of Parity Both offer a large selection of organic foods Both are concerned about the sources of
their products and offer many Fair Trade products
Both seek to highlight the value of their products
Both offer lines that are unique to their stores (Whole Foods has 365 Everyday Value® products; Trader Joe’s has its eponymous brand)
Points of Difference
Lower prices because they buy direct from suppliers when possible, don’t charge a shelving fee, and frequently evaluate the success of products and discontinue unsuccessful products
Emphasis on the store’s duty to the customer
Does not offer coupons or sales
Fun environment Does not offer any online
ordering
Higher prices Emphasis on the
store’s duty to suppliers and the environment
Offers coupons and sales More serious environment Offers limited online
ordering
Positioning Statements
Among educated, health conscious, socially responsible, middle class consumers,Trader Joe’sIs the specialty grocery storeThat offers a fun environment in which to buy inexpensive, quality foodsBecause it hires friendly employees and uses unique purchasing strategies
Among educated, health conscious, socially responsible, middle class consumers,Whole FoodsIs the specialty grocery storeThat provides healthy, sustainable foodsBecause it abides by a list of unacceptable ingredients and partners with local, organic farmers
References http://www.traderjoes.com/ http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/ http://www.grocery.com/trader-joes/ http://www.gianfagnamarketing.com/blog/2013/05/23/how-trader
-joes-creates-branding-magic-with-facial-tissues/
http://www.itsthewatsons.com/2010/10/whole-foods-market-value-campaign-2010-on-display/
http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Trader-Joe-s-targets-educated-buyer-1123007.php
http://money.cnn.com/2010/08/20/news/companies/inside_trader_joes_full_version.fortune/index.htm
http://mythandrafenner.wordpress.com/tag/billboard/ http://www.typophile.com/node/41846 http://rahelvegancuisine.com/store.html http://guestofaguest.com/new-york/things-we-love/battle-of-the-g
roceries-trader-joes-vs-whole-foods