Trader Joe’s brought back in-store food samples at some stores on Saturday. Shoppers posted videos and photos on TikTok, Instagram and other social platforms of some of Trader Joe’s samples over the weekend, including granola and Halloween cookies. Trader Joe’s will offer up single-serve snacks and treats for customers to nibble on, but hot coffee won’t return, according to employees at New York and California stores.
But food brands took a hit when stores removed sample tables early in the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. They were slow to bring back the perk. More companies have resumed, but some of their procedures have changed to try to entice hygiene-conscious customers. Customers are likelier to now see workers stationed behind tables handing out packaged samples or in single-use cups than self-serve demos. Costco\n \n began bringing back samples in 2021, but added plexiglass stations.
Yes, I got to try some dry popcorn. Cool!