"There's always something trending at Trader Joe's. Similarly, there's always that one product there you just can't get your hands on. Whether it was the frozen kimbap in 2023 or the viral mini tote bags in 2025, nothing induces FOMO like missing out on these popular items. I would know, seeing as I've spent a significant amount of time living in a town where the closest Trader Joe's location was hours away."
"There are many famous quotes about the importance of asking for what you want, but I didn't learn the true meaning of them until I'd reached my limit of Trader Joe's FOMO. Finally, I started calling stores directly to see if they had what I wanted. To my surprise, an employee at the Lincoln Park location in Chicago offered to set something aside for me when I did."
Trader Joe's regularly features trending, limited items that create FOMO among shoppers. Long distances from stores intensified the difficulty of obtaining popular products. Calling stores ahead or speaking with employees can reveal availability or allow staff to set items aside. Some employees offer to hold products out of kindness despite no official company policy permitting holds. Being friendly and following store shopping etiquette improves interactions with staff and increases the chance of assistance. Even when holds are not offered, employees can provide helpful alternatives or information about restocks and other locations.
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