Here’s What the Bells at Trader Joe’s Really Mean

If you frequent your local Trader Joe’s, there’s a good chance you’ve heard the bells ring while you’re shopping. Sometimes it rings just once, while other times there may be two or three, sometimes even four chimes. Ever wonder what these bells mean? We finally have an answer.

On the Inside Trader Joe’s podcast Tara Miller, director of words and phrases and clauses, chats with Matt Sloan, the culture and innovation guy at Trader Joe’s, to explain just what these bells mean and why they are so important to the store.

Here’s What the Bells at Trader Joe’s Mean

It turns out, each bell has its own special purpose to alert employees of what is needed in real-time.

For example, one bell chime means another cashier is needed at the register. Two rings means an item needs to be located in the store by an employee. Three rings mean a manager is needed for assistance.

“And it’s perfectly representative of tools we like to use,” Sloan says in the podcast. “Simple, effective, and open to everyone.” Plus, he adds that the sound of a brass bell can really cut through all the other loud noises in the store.

Why Does Trader Joe’s Use Bells in the First Place?

While the bells are efficient, there is actually some history behind it too, specifically tied to maritime. Sloan explains that a bell could be used by crew members on a ship to communicate with one another. However, that’s not the only reason Trader Joe’s uses them.

Sloan says it’s, “Because of our frugal nature and we just have been sticking with it for decades.” He adds that, “A bell was less expensive than a public address system, and I think that they sound a little more interesting.”

But how was the bell order decided? Sloan believes it’s because “one is the most urgent” while two is not as dire, and three chimes is “really special and sometimes kind of like ordering off the menu.”

What about when the bell rings four times? While this can vary by store, Sloan says he’s heard it used when lines get long and out of control. “At my store, it means all hands on deck at the front, baggers at each register, the lines are building, we want to help get customers out into their day with their groceries,” he says.