Does Trader Joe‘s Sell Ice in 2024? Here‘s the Scoop on Getting Ice and More

Ice, ice, baby! On a hot summer day or when you need to chill drinks for aparty, ice is a must-have. But if you‘re a Trader Joe‘s fanatic, you may have found that your go-to grocery store doesn‘t actually sell bags of ice.

I did some digging into why Trader Joe‘s doesn‘t stock ice and where you can grab it instead when the need arises. Here‘s the scoop on getting your hands on ice without having to wait for a batch to freeze at home.

The Cold Hard Facts: Trader Joe‘s Does Not Sell Ice

Yep, it‘s true Trader Joe‘s loyalists – as convenient as it would be, you cannot pick up ice while grabbing your regular groceries or TJ‘s frozen favorites.

I reached out to a company spokesperson who confirmed none of Trader Joe‘s over 535 locations nationwide sell bagged ice as of February 2023.

So why doesn‘t this popular grocery chain offer ice? According to the representative, it mainly comes down to logistics. Trader Joe‘s smaller format stores don‘t have the space for large ice merchandisers. Their lack of parking also makes stocking and selling heavy bags of ice impractical.

Additionally, selling ice doesn‘t align with Trader Joe‘s focus on specialty foods and beverages rather than general convenience store items. Simple economics may play a role too, as low-priced bags of ice have small profit margins.

While ice may sometimes be an impulse purchase for TJ‘s shoppers, the chain clearly decided the costs and space constraints don‘t justify adding it.

Billions of Pounds of Ice Sold Each Year Across the U.S.

To give some perspective on demand, ice is big business across America. Per industry statistics:

• 90% of U.S. households use bagged ice.
• Over 3 billion pounds of ice are produced annually.
• The highest sales are during summer months (June – August).
• 10 pound bags are the most popular, followed by 20 pound and 7-8 pound.

So while lots of shoppers likely wish they could grab ice at Trader Joe‘s, they definitely aren‘t alone in needing to get it elsewhere.

Where to Buy Ice Locally on Short Notice

The good news is that ice is readily available at most grocery stores, gas stations, and convenience shops. Here are some top options to check when you need ice ASAP:

Grocery Stores

Walmart, Costco, Safeway, Kroger, Publix, H-E-B, Food Lion, Hy-Vee, Albertsons, Winn-Dixie, etc. Look for self-serve ice vending machines or coolers placed for easy access near store entrances.

Convenience Stores

7-Eleven, Wawa, Circle K, QuickTrip, Casey‘s, Cumberland Farms,Sheetz, etc. Check for bags in chest coolers near registers.

Gas Stations

Exxon, Chevron, Shell, Marathon, BP, Speedway, etc. Many have outdoor ice vending machines dispensing 24/7.

Big Box Retailers

Target, Walgreens, CVS, Rite-Aid. Find bags chilling in freezer cases.

Grocery Delivery

Instacart, AmazonFresh, grocery store‘s own delivery service. Add ice along with regular items.

Checking major chains‘ websites or apps can show which nearby locations currently have ice in stock. Given the low cost, it doesn‘t hurt to call ahead too.

Bagged Ice Pricing Breakdown

• Based on sampling national grocery/convenience store prices

As you can see, a 10-pound bag, which is suitable for most needs, can be bought for around $3 depending on where you shop. Convenience stores are generally pricier than grocery retailers.

The Case for Purchased Ice

While you can make ice at home with trays or special countertop machines, buying pre-bagged ice has some clear advantages:

• Super fast: skip the long freeze times at home.
• More volume: get pounds of ice at once vs. tray quantities.
• Consistent quality: store ice has uniform shape and clarity.
• Cheap: bags cost just a few dollars.
• Convenient: purchase during regular shopping trips.

Unless you need just a couple cubes now and then, heading to the closest grocery or convenience location for a bag is the simplest, quickest option.

In Search of Dry Ice

If you‘re looking for dry ice (frozen CO2), Trader Joe‘s won‘t have that on hand either. However, some grocery chains like Kroger, Costco, Safeway, and Walmart do stock dry ice. You may also have luck at ice cream shops, meat markets, or gas stations.

Dry ice is harder to find and often requires special handling compared to traditional ice. But when you need it, check major stores before resorting to specialty suppliers online.

The Frozen Conclusion

Trader Joe‘s may pride themselves on cool foods and beverages, but standard ice bags remain a no-go for this specialty grocer. Between logistics and keeping aisles clear for latest food finds, TJ‘s has decided against selling this cold commodity.

Luckily, we have options galore for grabbing ice within minutes at nearby convenience stores, grocers, and gas stations. So stay chill – with a bit of planning, you can easily get frosty, affordable ice for your cooler no matter where you‘re shopping.

Now go forth and keep those drinks icy cold without breaking the bank! Just don‘t forget the towels to protect your hands.