Chapter 8 - Hairballs
This term is used by Joe Coulombe in Chapter 10 to describe unexpected problems that distract management from core business issues
What is a hairball?
Joe Coulombe named Trader Joe’s third version after this sharp musical character, signifying a ruthless transition.
Who is Mac the Knife?
This term describes Trader Joe’s strategy of deep involvement in product sourcing and vendor collaboration without owning the production process.
What is Intensive Buying?
Unlike industry rivals, Trader Joe’s was proud to never do this to full-time employees, thanks to Mac the Knife strategy.
What is a layoff?
These bite-sized sweets combine creamy peanut butter and rich dark chocolate—fan favorites in the candy aisle.
What are Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups?
Trader Joe’s faced an audit from this federal department, challenging their pay practices.
What is the Department of Labor?
Trader Joe’s “Mac the Knife” period lasted this many years, marking deep business transformation.
What is twenty-one years?
Joe Coulombe emphasized that Trader Joe’s buyers had to be this, knowing everything about their products to negotiate and improve offerings.
What is deeply knowledgeable?
Coulombe warns that “hairballs” can consume this, exhausting management’s ability to handle true business priorities
What is stamina?
This cheese consistently tops TJ’s best-sellers lists for its cheddar-parmesan flavor surprise.
What is Unexpected Cheddar?
Joe Coulombe describes “hairballs” as obstacles unrelated to these two fundamental business factors: demand and competition.
What are demand and competition?
Under "Mac the Knife," Trader Joe’s narrowed assortment to focus on this key retail advantage.
What is outstanding price?
A crucial element of intensive buying is maintaining positive relationships and treating these as business collaborators.
Who are vendors?
During this era, Trader Joe’s sales per square foot outpaced the supermarket average by nearly double.
What is $1,000 per square foot?
These mini cones pack big ice cream flavor; chocolate, vanilla, and seasonal varieties always sell fast.
What are Hold The Cone Mini Ice Cream Cones?
In 1971, Trader Joe’s confronted a major challenge when this organization demanded a boycott over certain wine sellers.
Who are the United Farm Workers (UFW)?
Trader Joe’s pioneered this approach, centralizing all store deliveries through its own distribution system.
What is centralized distribution?
Trader Joe’s buying policy often involved making these quick financial transactions to get better deals.
What is paying cash on receipt?
Looking beyond hairballs, Chapter 10 ends with Coulombe alluding to a major upcoming shift for California grocers by this nickname.
What is “Mac the Knife”?
These avocadoes are sold in mesh bags—smaller, easy to eat, and perfect for sandwiches without waste.
What are Teeny Tiny Avocados?
The UFW’s boycott occurred during this crucial retail season, causing significant stress for Trader Joe’s.
What is the holiday season?
In 1977, the end of this policy on milk and alcohol prices pushed Trader Joe’s into their “Mac the Knife” era.
What is Fair Trade?
Joe Coulombe regarded this as a key challenge wearing down CEOs in retail, which intensive buying helped manage through control and intervention.
What is employee theft?
Trader Joe’s made a big product innovation with seafood by selling this common category mostly in frozen form without added processing.
What is fresh fish?
This uniquely spicy rolled chip is a top pick for snacking and recently entered the Product Hall of Fame.
What are Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips?