grocery store bag becomes a fashion icon

In recent months, the $2.99 reusable bag from the American chain Trader Joe’s has started selling for up to R$ 2,000 in Brazil. What began as a grocery store accessory has become a status symbol and a collector's item.

why the bag became so desirable

In 2024, Trader Joe’s launched the Mini Canvas Totes, which are small and colorful. They gained prominence in videos on TikTok and Instagram, being used both as grocery bags and fashion accessories.

limited-release strategy

The chain keeps some versions available for a limited time. In March 2026, for example, it launched a lavender version for $3.99, generating lines before stores opened. In May, mini insulated totes in six versions were sold for $3.99, and in June new striped ones appeared.

secondary market price

The original $2.99 price tag transforms into dozens of times more in resale. In January, a pastel Mini Canvas Tote was listed on eBay for nearly $50,000. In Brazil, listings on Enjoei range from R$ 100 to figures in the thousands of reais.

position in the fashion landscape

Lyst, a platform that tracks fashion trends, ranked the Trader Joe's tote eighth on the Lyst Index for the first quarter of 2026, sharing space with luxury brands like Chanel, Saint Laurent, and Celine.

influence on Brazilian retail

The bag's aesthetic is already appearing in national products. C&A, for example, offers models from the brand ACE with a similar design for R$ 99. The lack of Trader Joe's stores in Brazil increases exclusivity, as travelers buy them at US stores to resell them in the country.

the company's stance on resale

Trader Joe's does not encourage resale. In a statement to the Independent, a spokesperson stated that the chain only sells its products in its own stores and does not support the practice of reselling.

With information from O GLOBO, Seu Dinheiro.