PUMPKIN spice latte season is beginning earlier and earlier each year – and now, it looks like a supermarket is leaning into that premise in a bad way.
While Trader Joe’s might not be selling pumpkin spice lattes in August, the popular grocery chain has already put autumn-themed products on its shelves.
A popular autumnal treat is making a return, but maybe too soon.[/caption]
A content creator named Talia Heskett took to TikTok to check out the store’s latest items.
Her video, posted last Monday, led social media users to lambast Trader Joe’s for putting out fall-themed wares well before Labor Day.
TRADER JOE’S FANS: STICK TO SUMMER
Though Heskett featured products like Trader Joe’s Classic Orange Mimosa wine cocktail and summery Fruit Jellies candy, the autumnal merchandise received the most ire.
The items in question were Trader Joe’s Pumpkin and Pancake Waffle Mix and Maple Leaf Cookies, respectively.
Whether or not commenters thought the items looked delicious, many cautioned Trader Joe’s to slow its roll, considering the time of year.
“People slow down[,] we’re not even in August,” one TikToker said.
“FALL STUFF IN JULY??” exclaimed another, “Let us have our summer[!]”
A third seemed to imply that fall-themed items wouldn’t necessarily be all that appetizing, considering this summer’s heat waves.
“I am so not ready for the Fall products when it’s 98 degrees outside,” read the tongue-in-cheek post.
Despite the naysayers, a handful of commenters weren’t all that fazed by the fall product release dates.
“Those maple leaf cookies are the best!” exclaimed one.
A second expressed excitement over the upcoming re-release of another autumnal offering.
“I [can’t] wait for the butternut squash mac and cheese,” they said.
Sadly, there are some Trader Joe’s products that might have left us
There’s a pretty good chance that Trader Joe’s Triple Ginger Pretzels are now dearly departed.
While some worried Trader Joe’s Peri Peri sauce was gone for good, it was only temporarily out of stock.
A true RIP to Trader Joe’s beloved Pancake Bread and Corn and Quinoa salad.
MORE TRADER JOE’S BACKLASH
This is hardly the first time Trader Joe’s shoppers have reacted negatively to how seasonal products are sold in stores.
In July, a number of customers took to social media to criticize the retailer for turning favorite items available all year into seasonal ones.
Their main argument centered on the fact that certain wares, like graham crackers and didn’t have particular characteristics to classify them as “seasonal.”
Though many argued these switch-ups were merely part of Trader Joe’s business model, others stated it dissuaded them from shopping there as often.
We have yet to see how quickly this pumpkin-flavored product will sell during the summer.[/caption]
