Trader Joes tote bags reselling for 8000%+

Wildly popular mini canvas tote bags from Trader Joe's in the US are being resold online for over 8200% times their retail price. Is this the new Stanley cup?

The downsized versions of the grocery retailer's traditional reusable totes, which come in four colors and cost $2.99, have become somewhat of a sensation, selling out at stores across the U.S. That's led fans of the bags to scour for them on platforms including eBay, where a set of four tote bags listed for $999.99, as seen above. That breaks down to $250 per bag and an 8233% increase on their original price.

Ebay confirmed that it's seen a huge surge in consumer demand for the bags. Global searches for the bags increased over 7000% on eBay. The bags first became available in February 2024 to little fanfare.

In a statement to CBS MoneyWatch, Trader Joe's said that the bags sold much faster than the grocer had expected.

"Before we had the opportunity to promote them in any way, customers across the country found them at their neighborhood Trader Joe's," a company spokesperson said. 

Trader Joe's added that it does not endorse the resale of any of its products on any marketplace. 

TikTok user @Valeriak, who documented her visit to her local store to purchase the mini canvas bags, showed customers lining up to buy the coveted totes. In her video, which features plenty of stock, a manager can be heard announcing a five bag limit per customer.  

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