Trader Joe’s says they’ve heard conspiracy theories about their small parking lots and have a very good reason their stores have so few spaces.
In a recent interview on the Inside Trader Joe’s podcast, VP of Marketing Tara Miller said fan-fetched ideas — and memes — are entertaining but false.
“People in the world really seem to think — not all people, but some people — that we’re making terrible parking lots on purpose,” she continued.
“We don’t purposely open stores with the world’s most ridiculous parking lot,” replied Matt Sloan, the “marketing product guy” at Trader Joe’s.
So, do you think you know why their lots are smaller and tighter than normal supermarket parking lots? Keep reading to find out if you’re right.
Trader Joe’s says they’ve heard conspiracy theories about their small parking lots and have a very good reason why their stores have so few spaces
Trader Joe’s parking lots have long been discussed and joked about on the internet due to their size and the aggressiveness of drivers in the parking lot
According to Miller, the number of parking spaces is determined by how big each Trader Joe’s location is, and most locations tend to be quite small.
“If you spend some time on social media and check things out about Trader Joe’s, you’ll find that there are a lot of conspiracy theories out there about our parking lots,” Miller said.
Some fans have argued that the supermarket chain is choosing plots with smaller spaces to cut costs when developing new locations.
Others have speculated that Trader Joe’s hopes to inspire more people to walk or bike to their stores.
However, the problem is mainly due to urban planning.
According to a KTLA report, most cities have parking space minimums in their zoning codes when it comes to grocery stores.
Most major chains operate from huge facilities and warehouses, requiring larger parking spaces to meet the demand.
Trader Joe’s locations are relatively small compared to Walmart or Target.
“A 12,000 square foot store gets a lot less parking than a 70,000 square foot store,” Miller said.
According to VP of Marketing Tara Miller, the number of parking spaces is determined by how big each Trader Joe’s location is, and most locations tend to be quite small
Miller and Sloan also said the parking lots always feel smaller and cramped because of the crowds in stores.
“Now let’s say a 12,000-square-foot store has 500 visitors and the giant store has 100 visitors — the parking lots are going to feel very different,” Sloan said.
They also added that Trader Joe’s has been aware of complaints and hilarious jokes for years and that newer stores now tend to have larger lots.
The original store in Pasadena, California — considered one of the worst Trader Joe’s parking lots in the country — still receives complaints daily.
Sloan said the location “still has a very challenging parking lot.”
It is unlikely that the chain plans to expand stores as well.
“The argument could be, ‘Hey, Trader Joe’s, just make your stores bigger,'” Miller said while appearing on the podcast.
“But that changes who we are,” she continued.
‘We have small shops, so they have small parking spaces. If we had bigger stores, we would definitely have bigger parking lots, but we would feel like a different store,” the vice president said.
Miller and Sloan also said the parking lots always feel smaller and cramped because of the crowds in stores
Over the years, thousands of people have made sharp comments about limited vehicle real estate while shopping
“God, if you can hear me, please help me find a parking space at Trader Joe,” wrote actress Daniella Monet in 2013
“When I have some free time, I like to hop in my car and just drive across the Trader Joes parking lot. You know add to the confusion and mania’
2015 will be my year! (That I finally find a parking spot at Trader Joes.)” comedian Dan Levy wrote in a tweet
Trader Joe’s parking lots have long been discussed and joked about on the internet due to their size and the aggressiveness of drivers in the parking lot.
Over the years, thousands of people have made sharp comments about limited vehicle real estate while shopping.
“My ancestors hunted in the wilderness so I could get stressed out in a Trader Joe’s parking lot,” one person joked earlier this year.
“God, if you can hear me, please help me find a parking space at Trader Joe,” actress Daniella Monet wrote in 2013.
“When I have some free time, I like to hop in my car and just drive across the Trader Joes parking lot. You know this adds to the confusion and mania
2015 will be my year! (That I finally find a parking spot at Trader Joes.)” comedian Dan Levy wrote in a tweet.
“One day people of all races and religions will live together in peace and Trader Joes will build a store with ample parking,” another user joked in 2014.