The Simple Reason Trader Joe's Has a Nautical Theme — Grocery News

I love Trader Joe's, but I've often found myself a bit perplexed by the nautical theme — and not just because I mixed up Trader Joe's and Trader Vic's for years. It's a little odd to have a nautical-themed grocery store, right? Most grocery stores do not have themes at all. They just have food.

But Trader Joe's employees are called "crew members" and all wear Hawaiian shirts. The managers are called "captains." And instead of calling out announcements over the PA system, Trader Joe's rings nautical bells in a type of Morse code.

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