Trader Joe’s isn’t a luxury grocery store (looking at you, Erewhon).
It’s the place to go for unique budget-friendly finds that can’t be found anywhere else. One of those finds is a $2.99 reusable canvas tote that’s being found on overseas retail markets for up to six figures. Totes are being spotted on shoulders of fashionistas everywhere: Japan, England, Australia, South Korea and more.
There’s nothing particularly special about the bag. It’s made of standard eco‑friendly canvas, comes in a couple accent colors and measures about 20.5 inches wide, 14.5 inches high and 5.75 inches deep. It’s sturdy enough for a crowded ride on the Tube and roomy enough for a mid-sized mutt (groceries will work, too). And of course, the Trader Joe’s logo sits front and center.
So, why the fervor? Despite having over 600 stores, not a single Trader Joe’s can be found outside the United States.
@footwear.mp4 I was the envy of Covent Garden 🪴 😅‼️ #traderjoestotebag #london #traderjoes #mensootd #mensstyle ♬ Light in the Sky (Lofi) – The Machinist Beats
“They represent a limitation,” Yale School of the Environment lecturer Michelle Gabriel says. “Trader Joe’s isn’t in every city and on every corner. That already imparts a scarcity that… can be used in service of status.”
This isn’t the first time a TJs reusable bag went viral. In March 2024, a miniature version of the same style tote sold out in stores nearly immediately and popped up on resale sites for $1,000. The same thing happened in December 2024 when the chain introduced a stand-up collapsible grocery tote.
Despite becoming a household name in many homes overseas, Trader Joe’s isn’t loving the notoriety.
When asked about the resale market, the company’s public relations manager, Nakia Rohde, said it “neither condones nor supports the reselling of [its] products” and “does all [it] can to stop the practice.”
