Trader Joe's CEO: No plans for self-checkout machines

While plenty of grocery stores and big box retailers have self-checkout machines, Trader Joe's shoppers can breathe a huge sigh of relief and check that off their shopping list.

A Monday episode of the employee-driven "Inside Trader Joe's" podcast featured CEO Bryan Palbaum and president and vice CEO Jon Basalone addressing rumors from crew members of the Monrovia, California-based grocer.

Asked, "true or false: coming soon, self checkout," Palbaum replied, "oh, that's a false," followed by "that's a double-false."

Basalone backed up Palbaum.

"That's as false as false can be because we believe in people and we're not trying to get rid of our crew members for efficiency sake or whatever the, I don't know what the reasons are people put self checkout in," Basalone said.

Trader Joe's stores have long been known not only for their products but also for their friendly crew and store vibe.

Trader Joe's stores have long been known not only for their products but also for their friendly crew and store vibe.

Of self-checkout Palbaum said, "it's not fun," adding, "I was just saying, I would, I have fun bagging groceries and working at the register. Self checkout is work. I don't want that."

Throughout the podcast, both talked about visiting stores and how the company's crew members are part of the overall experience.

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During the podcast, both Palbaum and Basalone squelched other rumors such as drive-thru coffee samples and "in store restaurants with in-aisle waiting areas."

In Michigan, Trader Joe's has nine locations including five in metro Detroit.

Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Trader Joe's CEO: No plans for self-checkout machines