Trader Joe’s to Holiday Shoppers: Get it Before It’s “Going, Going, Gone’

Throughout the pandemic, lines of shoppers outside of Trader Joe’s across the country are a testament to the Monrovia, Calif.-based retailer’s loyal customer base. And while so much about this holiday season is different, one thing remains the same: The enthusiasm of TJ’s shoppers for its hot-ticket seasonal items.

In Episode 31 of Trader Joe’s latest podcast, marketing team members Tara Miller and Matt Sloan take listeners through some of the more than 60 new festive foods and beverages that are hitting shelves now. These items join the retailer’s more than 200 returning holiday favorites.

But these holiday items won’t last long, Miller and Sloan said. “We interrupt this episode of Inside Trader Joe’s to warn … that some of the holiday products we’re about to discuss may be going, going or even gone from our shelves by the time you hear this,” said Miller. “Every year we try our best to anticipate the demand for our seasonal products. Sometimes we get it right. We want to get it right. We want you to get your products.”

The team also addressed some of the challenges Trader Joe’s and its vendors faced this holiday season due to COVID. Social distancing in manufacturing facilities, lack of raw materials for some suppliers and shipping delays have impacted the availability of certain products, the company said.

Related:What Trader Joe’s Shoppers Want Most

But with some creativity and advanced planning, Trader Joe’s was able to pull off and bring in a host of holiday treats, including a range of goodies in these top five categories:

1. Chocolate

For chocolate lovers, Trader Joe’s presents Sipping Chocolate, which it describes as a rick, dark European-style chocolate beverage without milk. For more traditional hot chocolate consumers, Trader Joe’s offers Instant Hot Cocoa packets, Peppermint Hot Chocolate, Hot Chocolate Sticks and Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate.

2. Bubbles

Trader Joe’s has once again brought in magnums of L’Eclat and Incanto prosecco. This year magnums of Rose join the festivities. And for those who prefer their bubbles sans alcohol, Trader Joe’s is introducing a Sugar Plum Sparkling Beverage.

3. Cookies

It wouldn’t be the holidays without an array of cookies. Historically Trader Joe’s has carried a traditional cookie from Germany called Pfeffernusse, but a powdered sugar “situation” at the vendor’s facility prevented its arrival on store shelves this year. Fans of Pfeffernusse need not worry, TJ’s has developed a Pfeffernusse Cookie Mix that consumers can make at home.

Holiday cookies returning to Trader Joe’s include the Dark Chocolate Shortbread Stars, Stroopwafels, Candy Cane Joe Joe’s, Jingle Jangle’s, Hot Cocoa Snowman and Mini Gingerbread People.

4. Trader Joe’s Team Member Picks

Tamika from Trader Joe’s in Charlotte, N.C., calls into the podcast to share her top picks, including Cauliflower Pancakes, Truffle Dip, the new Chardonnay Toscano cheese, and Maple Streusel Bread.

5. Charcuterie

Kris from store 95 in Tucson is next up on the podcast to share how the store has transformed one of its cold drink cases into a charcuterie case that features olive oil wood boards, a variety of cheeses and salami. Adjacent to the case is a display of crackers and nuts.

This year, Trader Joe’s is offering cheese boards in smaller more individual serving sizes. Which Miller said is ideal “for smaller groups and family groups and things like that where everyone might get their own serving instead of one big, huge board.”