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 podcast, VP of Marketing Tara Miller said that wacky fan ideas — and memes — are entertaining but incorrect.
“People around the world really seem to think – not everyone, but a number of people – that we are deliberately making horrible parking lots,” she continued.
“We’re not opening stores with the most ridiculous parking lot on purpose,” replied Matt Sloan, the “product marketing guy” at Trader Joe’s.
So do you think you know why their lots are smaller and cramped than normal grocery store 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 their stores have so few spaces
Trader Joe’s parking lots have long been the subject of discussion and jokes on the Internet for their size as well as the aggressiveness of drivers when in the parking lot.
According to Miller, the number of parking spaces is determined by the size of each Trader Joe location, and most locations tend to be quite small.
“If you spend time on social media looking at things on Trader Joe’s, you’ll find there are a lot of conspiracy theories about our parking lots,” Miller said.
Some fans have argued that the grocery chain chooses lots with smaller spaces to save costs when developing new locations.
Others have speculated that Trader Joe’s hopes to inspire more people to walk or cycle through their stores.
In reality, however, the problem is mainly due to urban planning.
According to a KTLA report, most cities have minimums for parking spaces in their zoning codes when it comes to grocery stores.
Most large chains operate from massive facilities and warehouses, which require larger parking lots to meet needs.
Trader Joe’s locations are relatively small compared to Walmart or Target.
“A 12,000 square foot store will have far fewer parking spaces than a 70,000 square foot store,” Miller said.
According to VP of Marketing Tara Miller, the number of parking spaces is determined by the size of each Trader Joe location, and most locations tend to be quite small.
Miller and Sloan also said parking lots always feel smaller and cramped due to store traffic.
“Now let’s say the 12,000 square foot store has 500 people and the giant store has 100 people – the parking lots are going to be very different,” Sloan said.
They also added that Trader Joe’s has been aware of the complaints and hilarious jokes for years and newer stores now tend to have bigger lots.
The original Pasadena, Calif. store — considered one of the worst parking lots for Trader Joe’s in the country — still gets complaints daily.
Sloan said the location “still has difficult parking.”
The chain is unlikely to plan to expand its stores either.
“The argument could be made, ‘Hey, Trader Joe’s, just expand your stores,'” Miller said during the podcast appearance.
“But these kinds of changes change who we are,” she continued.
“We have small stores, so they come with small parking lots. If we had bigger stores, of course we would have bigger parking lots, but we would feel like a different store,” the vice president said.
Miller and Sloan also said parking lots always feel smaller and cramped due to store traffic.
Over the years, thousands of people have made pointed comments about limited real estate for vehicles when shopping.
“God, if you can hear me, please help me find parking at Trader Joes,” actress Daniella Monet wrote in 2013.
“When I have free time, I like to hop in my car and cruise around the Trader Joes parking lot. You know how to add to the confusion and the mania’
‘2015 is going to 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 the subject of discussion and jokes on the Internet for their size as well as the aggressiveness of drivers when in the parking lot.
Over the years, thousands of people have made pointed comments about limited real estate for vehicles when shopping.
“My ancestors hunted in the wild so I could be 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 parking at Trader Joes,” actress Daniella Monet wrote in 2013.
“When I have free time, I like to hop in my car and cruise around the Trader Joes parking lot. You know how to add to the confusion and mania
‘2015 is going to 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.
