Trader Joe's Bringing Back Free Samples to Select Locations

Trader Joe's , Bringing Back Free Samples , to Select Locations.

CNN reports that following a long pandemic hiatus, free samples have officially returned to Trader Joe's.

CNN reports that following a long pandemic hiatus, free samples have officially returned to Trader Joe's.

The grocery chain has decided to bring back in-store food samples at select locations starting on October 1.

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The grocery chain has decided to bring back in-store food samples at select locations starting on October 1.

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Social media users across multiple platforms uploaded photos and videos of some of the samples over the weekend.

According to employees at the chain's New York and California locations, single-serve snacks and treats will make a comeback, but hot coffee will not.

According to employees at the chain's New York and California locations, single-serve snacks and treats will make a comeback, but hot coffee will not.

CNN reports that while food demos will return to some locations, Trader Joe's will not be relaunching the demo program nationwide.

Yuval Selik, the CEO of Promomash, a company that works with brands on samples and promotion strategy, startup brands rely on store demos.

Yuval Selik, the CEO of Promomash, a company that works with brands on samples and promotion strategy, startup brands rely on store demos.

Selik pointed to KeVita, Beyond Meat and Kashi as emerging brands that used samples to introduce customers to their products and get valuable feedback.

Selik pointed to KeVita, Beyond Meat and Kashi as emerging brands that used samples to introduce customers to their products and get valuable feedback.

CNN reports that food brands and grocery stores both took a hit amid the COVID pandemic, as in-store samples were indefinitely scrapped.

Both Sam's Club and Costco have also brought back sample programs with added precautions for customer safety and peace of mind.

Both Sam's Club and Costco have also brought back sample programs with added precautions for customer safety and peace of mind.

Promomash's Selik suggests that the presence of in-store samples is headed back towards pre-pandemic levels, with the return expected to ramp up in 2023.

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Promomash's Selik suggests that the presence of in-store samples is headed back towards pre-pandemic levels, with the return expected to ramp up in 2023.