Trader Joe’s Employees Just Revealed What Those Famous Ringing Bells Actually Mean

Mara Weinraub
Mara WeinraubSenior Editor of Groceries at The Kitchn
I nudged my way into writing about food after a too-long stint working in advertising. At first, I freelanced for several digital food media outlets, and then worked at Hearst Magazines as the Senior Food & Drink Editor across nearly all titles, including Delish, Good Housekeeping, and Pioneer Woman. I’ve been at The Kitchn since August 2021, and one of my proudest accomplishments is my feature detailing the fascinating grocer solutions to America’s food waste problem. (If you haven’t read it, now’s the time!) I nerd out over groceries. One of the best parts of my job is sharing little-known or untold stories that help shoppers navigate the aisles — and their budget — like the “two-finger” rule on how to pick out the perfect watermelon, our editors' favorite hot cocoa mix, or a corner of our country's food system. I’m always looking for new ways to expand the groceries conversation at The Kitchn.
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published Aug 19, 2024
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Trader Joe's Grocery Store, Centreville, VA, USA, July 16, 2024
Credit: refrina/Shutterstock

There you are mid-shop, stocking up on the best Trader Joe’s grocery staples money can buy (and, let’s face it, a new citrus spread you simply can’t pass up) when you hear a familiar sound in the checkout area — the ringing of a bell. What exactly does it mean? you might be wondering. Well, Tara Miller and Matt Sloan, two Trader Joe’s employees and cohosts of the Inside Trader Joe’s Podcast, are giving us the bell-by-bell details.

In the latest episode, which dropped earlier this week, the duo explains why the grocer uses a bell system to begin with, along with the meaning behind one, two, three, or even four bell rings. (The answers, for the most part, can also be found towards the bottom of the FAQ section on the grocer’s website.) Pour yourself a glass of really good sub-$10 TJ’s wine, and let’s get into it.

Credit: RAMAN SHAUNIA / Shutterstock

But First, Why Does Trader Joe’s Even Use Bells?

The TL;DR of this is, unsurprisingly, budget. “Once upon a time, because of our frugal nature,” explains Matt “a bell was less expensive than a public address system … and we just have been sticking with it for decades.” Of course, the bell also fits the store’s nautical vibe (TJ’s employees are often referred to as crew members, after all). 

The distinctive nature of the sound may also have something to do with the bells’ staying power. “I think that they sound a little more interesting,” says Matt. Can you think of another grocer with such an iconic system? We’ll wait.

What Do the Ringing Bells at Trader Joe’s Mean?

If you’re a frequent shopper you may have heard a cashier ring the bell one, two, three, or, on rare occasions, four times. It turns out that the rings are in order of urgency, according to Matt (with one being “the most urgent), and each one has a specific meaning (with the exception of four, which can vary by location).

One bell: It’s time to open another register, in theory, to ease those notoriously long lines. 
Two bells: Additional questions need to be answered at checkout. For example, a cashier may need an employee to help find an item.
Three bells: A manager is needed.
Four bells: While this isn’t listed on the grocer’s FAQ page and “can vary store by store,” where Matt shops four bells “means all hands on deck at the front,” including “baggers at each register … to help get customers out into their day with their groceries.”

Have you heard four bells at your Trader Joe’s store? What does it mean?

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Grocery Shopping