SOUTH PASADENA, Calif. -- Trader Joe's here, the specialty supermarket chain, has opened new stores in Washington, California, Nevada and New Jersey, bringing its total to 107 stores, said Pat St. John, vice president of marketing.
The chain, which also operates in Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and Oregon, offers a variety of hard-to-find wines, liquors and beers, depending on state laws. St. John did not contest industry estimates that the firm is approaching $1 billion in annual sales, averaging an impressive $1,000 per square foot, about double the average California supermarket.
The stores run 8,000 to 10,000 square feet and many of them are in remodeled buildings. The retailer also carries more than 800 items under Trader Joe's, Trader Giotto, Trader Darwin and Trader Jose labels. It also offers all-natural, deli-type products and frozen food at grocery warehouse prices, along with fresh bread and eggs, pastas and fresh salads and sandwiches, plus vitamins and food supplements.
