Trader Joe's continues its unstoppable expansion in the United States, establishing itself as a serious competitor against retail giants like Walmart and Costco. The chain announced the opening of seven new stores strategically distributed, strengthening its presence in regions where it still has limited reach.
Expansion across the country
On the East Coast, the new branches will open in Columbia (South Carolina), Melbourne (Florida), Hamden (Connecticut), and Williamsville (New York). Meanwhile, on the West Coast, the company plans to open stores in Costa Mesa (California) and Lacey (Washington). In addition, Kingwood, Texas, will be another key point for its expansion.
Although Trader Joe's has not confirmed opening dates, these new stores will strengthen its presence in states where it already operates. They will also help fill strategic gaps, such as in South Carolina, where it only has four branches.
Steady growth rate
With these seven announcements, Trader Joe's already has plans for 30 new stores to open throughout 2025. This pace keeps the trend from last year, when 12 new stores were announced just so far this year, four of them in California.
In 2024, the chain opened 11 stores during the first nine months, which represented one third of the annual total. Most of its major openings were concentrated in the last three months of the year. This sustained growth shows that Trader Joe's is not just looking to increase its presence, but to consolidate its brand in strategic markets.
Market share and customer loyalty
Although Trader Joe's increase in market share was less than 1% between mid-2020 and June 2025, the chain showed solid performance. During that period, it managed to surpass competitors like Whole Foods, HEB, Wegmans, Albertsons, Ahold Delhaize, and Kroger. According to Numerator data, Trader Joe's recorded greater market share gains than these chains during that period.
In addition, a study by Placer.ai showed that Trader Joe's and Aldi are notably increasing customer retention. Fewer and fewer shoppers visit other stores before or after shopping at these chains. This reflects a strong bond with its clientele and a very effective loyalty strategy.
Consolidated national presence
Currently, Trader Joe's has stores in 42 states and Washington, DC, making the chain one of the most influential and recognized grocery retailers in the country. With its focus on strategic locations and medium-sized stores, Trader Joe's leaves an important mark on the market. This allows it to position itself ahead of giants like Walmart and Costco in certain key indicators.