One of the most competitive markets is the retail supermarket market. With Walmart, Costco and Aldi leading the way, Trader Joe’s has entered the conversation. The company focuses on private label products and low prices, which has made it the rage in the United States. Because of its good relationship with Sherman Oaks, this U.S. market is gaining popularity in the San Fernando Valley. Read on to learn more about it.
Trader Joe’s is all the rage in the U.S. and competes with Walmart, Costco and Aldi
In a market as competitive as the U.S. retail market, where giants like Walmart and Costco dominate the landscape, the Trader Joe’s chain continues to cement its place as a unique phenomenon.
With a focus on private label products, affordable prices and a differentiated aesthetic, the company not only maintained its loyal customer base, but now surprises with an unconventional strategy: opening two nearly identical stores across the street from each other.
The news came in 2025 with the opening of a new branch in Sherman Oaks, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles. The curious thing is that this store is located exactly across the street from another of the same chain that has been in operation for more than five decades.
The new store, located at 14140 Riverside Drive, opened earlier this year and sits across the street from the historic branch at 14119 Riverside Drive. While many are wondering if one will replace the other, Trader Joe’s was clear: both stores will continue to operate simultaneously.
The reason behind this decision lies in a combination of sustained demand, physical constraints and a strong connection to the local community. Nakia Rohde, company spokesperson, stated:
“We have maintained an excellent relationship with our Sherman Oaks customers for 52 years and plan to keep both stores open.”
The original branch, opened in 1973, has a compact layout and limited parking, which can hinder the shopping experience during peak hours. In contrast, the new store is located in a modern, mixed-use residential development, with subway parking and a more spacious layout.
Trader Joe’s opened one branch across the street from the other: two stores, two different experiences
While both stores offer the Trader Joe’s signature Trader Joe’s catalog-from the popular “Hold the Cone!” mini ice cream cones to viral snacks like “Pizza Party Fries”-each location presents a different experience.
The new store features bright lighting, high ceilings and modern design, including a colorful exterior mural that celebrates local identity.
In addition, its produce section is larger and more diverse, with products such as oversized artichokes and tasting stations for international dishes such as Korean bibim-guksu.
In contrast, the original store maintains a more traditional feel. Its narrow aisles and simple décor harken back to the classic Trader Joe’s aesthetic, which some customers consider part of its charm. The proximity and familiarity mean that many locals continue to choose it as their regular shopping spot, even with the more modern option just across the street.
La proximidad y la familiaridad hacen que muchos locales sigan eligiéndolo como su lugar de compra habitual, incluso con la opción más moderna justo enfrente.
La proximidad y la familiaridad hacen que muchos locales sigan eligiéndolo como su lugar de compra habitual, incluso con la opción más moderna justo enfrente.
Trader Joe’s: así es su estrategia para competir con Walmart, Costco y Aldi
En un momento en que muchas cadenas minoristas están cerrando tiendas o reduciendo operaciones, Trader Joe’s hace exactamente lo contrario. No sólo mantiene ambas tiendas abiertas en Sherman Oaks, sino que planea abrir al menos 12 nuevas ubicaciones en todo Estados Unidos este año.
Desde su fundación en 1967, la empresa siguió con un crecimiento lento pero constante, priorizando la experiencia del cliente por encima de la expansión masiva. A diferencia de otras cadenas, no realiza campañas publicitarias tradicionales ni ventas con descuento: confiaba en el boca a boca y la fidelidad del consumidor.
La decisión de duplicar su presencia en un solo vecindario puede parecer arriesgada, pero en un área como Los Ángeles, donde el tráfico, la comodidad y la accesibilidad juegan un papel crucial en la elección del supermercado, tener dos tiendas cercanas podría ser un acierto logístico más que una redundancia.