A humble canvas shopping bag from American grocery chain Trader Joe's has become an unlikely status symbol and investment piece, with resale prices soaring to nearly $50,000 (approximately £39,000) on platforms like eBay.
From Checkout to Collectible
The mini pastel tote bags, which originally retail for a mere $2.99 (under £5) in Trader Joe's US stores, have ignited a global frenzy. According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, the bags have gained such cult status that they are now being carried on the streets of London, Seoul, Melbourne, and Tokyo.
Social media has fuelled the mania. A TikTok video from last year captured the intense demand, showing customers swarming a large box of the pastel totes at 8:00 AM. The user captioned the clip, “I did not think I was going to fight grown women at 8:00 AM.”
A Global Fashion "Epidemic"
Fashion commentator Jay Choyce Tibbitts labelled the trend the “epidemic of the Trader Joe’s tote bag.” He noted that seeing the bags in New York City had become an everyday occurrence, remarking that spotting only four in one day was a “low day” for sightings.
Tibbitts suggested the bag's appeal lies in its perceived relatability and savvy. “Fashion is a way to control how the world reacts to you…and this bag says I’m relatable, I’m savvy,” he explained.
Corporate Disapproval and High-Stakes Resale
Despite the booming secondary market, Trader Joe's has firmly distanced itself from the practice. A spokesperson for the chain told The Independent, “Trader Joe’s only sells our products in our stores. We neither condone nor support the reselling of our products and do all we can to stop the practice.”
This stance has done little to dampen the fervour. The chain, which operates 618 stores across 42 US states and Washington, D.C., is renowned for its unique, affordable products and whimsical store atmosphere. Its iconic tote has now transcended its grocery bag origins, becoming a coveted—and extraordinarily priced—cultural artefact.
