Pankaj106. Trader Joe’s
Headquarters: Monrovia, California
Bought By: Aldi Nord
Headquarters: Essen, Germany
Renowned for its eclectic product offerings, cheerful Hawaiian-shirt-clad employees, and cult-favorite items, Trader Joe’s is an integral part of the American grocery landscape. The chain, which began as a small string of convenience stores named “Pronto Market” in Pasadena, California, in 1958, transformed into the “Trader Joe’s” we know in 1967.
But a lesser-known twist in its story is its international ownership. In 1979, the German businessman Theo Albrecht, co-founder of the Aldi Nord supermarket chain, acquired Trader Joe’s. Despite being under the ownership of a German parent company, Trader Joe’s retains its distinctive American flair.