Trader Joe’s Is Now Selling Teeny Tiny Mini Tote Bags
The latest addition to Trader Joe’s line of unexpectedly trendy grocery bags is a teensy-weensy miniature tote — and superfans are snatching them up. The $3 fun-sized micro totes, which fit in the palm of your hand, also include a normal, more practical foldable grocery bag tucked inside. But the totes have captured the internet’s imagination this fall mostly because they’re cute, not useful.
The hype surrounding the micro totes is especially big on TikTok, where a search for “Trader Joe’s tote mini” returns countless videos highlighting the retailer’s trendy accessory. Collectively, the clips have accumulated more than 16 million views.
“I was so excited to finally get my hands on the micro tote from Trader Joe’s,” a popular TikTokker, @theketodashians, says in a recent video. “I’ve been seeing them all over social media.”
@theketodashians Micro tote bag from Trader Joe’s. One part coin purse, one part holder for a foldable tote. I love it! There’s also a version with black straps and the bag part is red. #traderjoes #haul #microtote ♬ S.I.M.P (Squirrels In My Pants) [From 'Phineas And Ferb'] - Geek Music
The micro-tote fervor is equally intense on Reddit’s Trader Joe’s-focused forum, where many of the internet’s superfans discuss the retailer’s new products.
"My local shop in SoCal said these weren't available for order yet,” a Redditor recently wrote about the bag, adding that they might have to “camp out” Apple store-style to get their hands on the miniature bags.
But what’s the point of such a small bag?
Creative ideas from TikTok and Reddit include using the tote as a Christmas ornament, chapstick keychain, coin purse, a Barbie doll accessory, gift card holder, and mini wallet.
@christianfromtraderjoes watch till the end to see all the tote bag models, I promise it’s worth it #traderjoes #traderjoescrew #crewmember #traderjoestotebag #ucla #westwood #davia ♬ the one that got away - el
Like Trader Joe’s viral daily facial sunscreen, resellers are trying to cash in on the crazy. On eBay, vendors are offering them for as much as $17 — a more than 460% markup.
Other Trader Joe’s totes have attained collectible status among superfans, in part because each region sells a bag with a unique design. One Redditor even tried to start a “state-specific reusable bag trade” so that other shoppers could complete their collections. There’s also a bag exchange Facebook group with over 2,000 members.
The group's description: “The obsession is real!”
Gallery: The Brands Behind Trader Joe's Most Popular Products
