Trader Joe’s $3 tote bags listed for up to $10,000 on international resale platforms
Photo: Toronto Star
Trader Joe’s canvas tote bags, which retail for just $2.99 in the United States, are being listed for as much as $10,000 on resale platforms, highlighting how the once-practical grocery item has become a global status symbol in cities like Seoul, Tokyo. London and Melbourne.
The grocery chain, headquartered in Monrovia, California, has sold reusable bags since 1977, but its Canvas Micro Tote bags have surged in popularity in recent years. With their simple branding and durable design, the totes have gained a devoted following both domestically and abroad, particularly in cities such as London, Seoul, Melbourne and Tokyo.
While shoppers in the US often queue outside stores ahead of openings to secure limited drops, the bags carry even greater appeal overseas, where there are no Trader Joe’s locations. Made from a heavy-duty blend of 65 per cent cotton and 35 per cent polyester, the totes are frequently compared to similar offerings from brands such as L.L.Bean and Land’s End.
On resale platforms including eBay, Depop and South Korea’s Karrot market, prices have reached extraordinary levels, according to WSJ. One eBay listing currently offers “Trader Joe's Mini Pastel Tote Bags - 2025 Edition” for $10,000, while another seller has priced a “Trader Joes Spring 2025 Mint Green Mini Pastel Canvas Tote Bag LIMITED EDITION” at $49,999.
they were serious about it https://t.co/1LopSq62uJ pic.twitter.com/D5pMYiOR50
Trader Joe’s has previously distanced itself from the resale market, stating that such activity is conducted “without our approval or authorization and outside the controls of our quality-minded supply chain.” The company added, “To be clear, we neither condone nor support the reselling of our products and do all we can to stop the practice.”
The intense demand has led to purchasing limits in some stores, as consumers buy multiple bags despite not needing them. Social media has further fuelled the phenomenon, with one user commenting, “Incredible side hustle opportunity for Americans,” while another wrote, “Let me go grab a couple real quick. Lol.”
As the trend continues, the humble Trader Joe’s tote has become a symbol of scarcity, branding and global consumer culture.