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Trader Joe's supermarket chain attracts media attention not for its merchandise, but for its flirtatious cashiers.
CEO Bryan Palbaum addressed the rumors that employees are coached to flirt with clients in a recent episode of the Inside Trader Joe's podcast, saying they are simply that "rumors".
“Well, I think we just have such a unique environment in our stores that, to go into a Trader Joe’s store and feel that everyone is genuinely interested in whether or not you are having a good day, compared to maybe perhaps other retailers, I could see how that might be misinterpreted,” he said.
“You go through this world, and you run into so many people that aren’t genuine, that aren’t kind to you, that when you walk into a place when that’s happening, it feels like, whoa, OK, I think they’re flirting with me when actually that’s just what niceness feels like, you know?” President and vice CEO Jon Bassalone said.
Trader Joe's does not encourage "flirting," but they do encourage their employees to "be genuine" and be themselves. They want customers to feel at ease and have positive encounters with their team.