Trader Joe’s released a new line of pastel-colored mini tote bags this past Tuesday, causing enormous lines at local and national stores as people clamored to purchase one. While Bay Area stores have depleted their entire stock, the mini totes have already appeared on eBay and other resale sites for over $1,000.
Trader Joe’s employees told the San Francisco Chronicle that the bags sold out at every store in the city in less than an hour on Tuesday. They restocked on Wednesday morning, but hundreds of people were ready to line up well in advance and snatch them up.
“Our stores receive deliveries daily, and they will be restocked daily for as long as they are available,” a Trader Joe’s spokesperson told People. “Each store makes its own merchandising decisions, so only the store knows what is available. If customers have any questions about product availability, they can ask any Crew Member in their neighborhood store.”
Trader Joe’s sells the mini tote bags for $2.99 each in four pastel colors for spring: delicate pink, baby blue, mint green, and lovely lavender. They measure 13 inches long , 11 inches tall, and 6 inches wide, perfect for a picnic or lunch.
Our customers have made themselves abundantly clear: the smaller the tote, the bigger the sensation,” wrote Trader Joe’s.
Of course, along with the purchasing frenzy came the inevitable sky-high resale posts on eBay. Right now you could buy a pink bag for $999.99 or a green bag for a remarkable $49,890. USA Today reported that a collection of 4 mini totes sold for $499.99.
To be clear, Trader Joe’s is not on board with the reselling of their viral mini tote bags. “Our customers, in our stores, are our focus; we do not endorse the re-sale of any of our products, anywhere,” they told People Magazine.
This story may sound familiar because it’s not the first time Trader Joe’s has sold the famous mini totes. They first introduced the series in February 2024 with four colors: red, yellow, blue, and forest green. Similar videos and headlines abounded, detailing a frenzy to get ahold of the limited-edition bags.
Would you get in line for the viral mini tote bags?