Asheville News

Trader Joe’s has lots of Facebook fans in Asheville, but that doesn’t equal success

Jason Sandford January 17, 2010

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

Good story here from the Appeal-Democrat about the devotion of fans of Trader Joe’s. I noted here the Asheville fan page on Facebook for Trader Joe’s. Looks like it won’t do much good, though. My emphasis added:

Trader Joe’s fan base has a large Facebook presence, with more than 750 groups with topics including store locations, Candy Cane Joe-Joes and the name of the store’s founder — which is actually Joe. State College, Pa., Las Cruces, N.M., and Asheville, N.C., all have pages pleading for a store to patronize, with 98, 965 and 2,854 fans respectively.

As of this publication, Yuba-Sutter wants a Trader Joe’s Store had 762 fans, with more pledging their devotion every day.

It’s always nice to be wanted, said Alison Mochizuki, director of national publicity for Trader Joe’s Inc.

“It’s really an honor that people actually do have these Facebook pages and write us letters,” she said. “Unfortunately, wooing does not go into our decision-making process of selecting a location.”

Mochizuki would not disclose what is considered or if Yuba-Sutter has ever been in the running, but the area is not in the chain’s two-year plan for new openings, she said.

That does not discourage communities in their crusades. Trader Joe’s attracts a cult-like devotion from customers who love the inexpensive gourmet, natural foods and organic items.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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3 Comments

Hools January 19, 2010

So Trader Joe’s sees a market that has nearly 3000 people who have not only shopped at Trader Joe’s but like shopping there so much that they are actively trying to sway support to get a TJ location and they claim they dont consider that in their decision-making process? If I’m a business owner that would be enough to at least make me look into the area.

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Anonymous January 19, 2010

Of course wooing doesnt work, but if your "Bring Trader Joes to XXXXX" fan page gets thousands of followers, the company at least knows they’ll have an active community of customers if they open a store in that area. Its good data when reviewing possible new locations. Its not like we’re plying them with gifts or compliments, we’re letting TJ know that there is a market here if they want to take advantage of it.

Plus, you know, two buck chuck.

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McMurtrey January 17, 2010

My only comment would be that it is a PR Department’s job to confuse you and not let you know how/why things have happened or are going to happen.

As a business owner, my decisions are always influenced by comments I receive. I may not do something just because everyone I know wants me to, but I certainly take it into consideration.

If we didn’t start a page, show our support, our passion… Trader Joe’s would NEVER consider us… maybe, just maybe they will now.

That’s still good enough for me and I won’t let that negative article get me down. It only makes me more determined.

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