Just in time for summer, Californians can earn their stripes at Trader Joe’s this week with its latest limited-edition tote bag release.
The grocer’s new striped mini canvas tote was slated to hit shelves and be available as soon as stores open Wednesday, June 17.
The new totes, available in light green, pink, blue and tan, are the first striped version of the popular mini canvas totes, which measure 13 inches long, 11 inches tall and 6 inches wide.
“The size is ideal for smaller shopping trips, to pick up those few items you forgot the first time around,” Trader Joe’s said in an emailed statement to USA TODAY about the new totes, which are made of a heavy-duty blend of cotton and polyester and feature a pocket on each side.
Here’s what Californians should know about Trader Joe’s latest tote bag release.
How much are the new summer totes?
Customers can get them for $2.99 each. There is a limited supply of the tote bags.
The Trader Joe’s tote bag craze
From “Trick-or-Treat Mini Canvas Totes” to “Micro Totes to the recent insulated mini tote bags, the striped mini canvas totes are the latest entry in Trader Joe’s ever‑expanding lineup of collectible bags.
A lavender version of the $8.99 reusable insulated bag recently debuted in stores. The chain brought back the pastel mini canvas tote bags in March and launched a new large canvas bag.
First announced in April, the striped totes are sure to attract plenty of traffic at Trader Joe’s stores. The mini canvas totes are the most viral out of all the store’s popular limited bags.
The compact totes have developed a cult‑like following among the store’s customers and the fashion-conscious. The bags first went viral in March 2024, becoming so popular on social media that procuring one has become increasingly difficult.
Each new release of a mini canvas tote bag typically attracts swarms of shoppers, with folks making a beeline for the bins as soon as doors open. The bags have also gained notoriety as prized souvenirs in countries such as Japan and the Philippines, which do not have Trader Joe’s stores.
The demand has led to a robust resale market online, where the mini canvas totes can sell far above their original $2.99 price tag. Resale pricing can range from $20 to hundreds and, at times, even over $1,000.
The Trader Joe’s tote craze has also fueled a cottage industry of knockoff bags. Trader Joe’s finally decided to take action against sellers of fake tote bags and filed a lawsuit in May against two companies with overseas links operating in California.
“We are aware that some knockoff totes are being sold online and have recently filed a lawsuit to protect our customers from being misled,” Trader Joe’s spokesperson Nakia Rohde told the Reno Gazette-Journal over email earlier this month. “At Trader Joe’s, it’s very important to us that our customers are getting what they’ve paid for.”
A California court granted Trader Joe’s request for a temporary restraining order against both companies on June 8. A preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled at the U.S. District court for the Central District of California on June 26.
How many limited bags does Trader Joe’s sell?
While Trader Joe’s sells a variety of bags, five types in particular see limited releases that always sell out.
Mini canvas tote bag: The most popular Trader Joe’s bag, the original mini canvas tote bags were first released in blue, green, red and yellow. They were re-released in December last year.
Trader Joe’s followed up with pastel versions in April last year for Easter. The pastel bags were also released for a second time this March.
The next limited design was Halloween-themed mini tote bags in October. For this year, Trader Joe’s is debuting the new striped mini canvas tote bag.
Large canvas tote bag: The large canvas tote bag has been available for about a decade according to a Trader Joe’s representative. Originally available in blue, the $3.99 large canvas tote bag was also released in a limited green color in December and also a limited lavender design in March.
Micro canvas tote bag: The newest bag design, the $2.99 micro canvas tote bag is a palm-sized version of the mini canvas tote that hides a reusable shopping bag inside. It was first released in December in blue, red and green.
Large insulated tote bag: With a price tag of $8.99, the large insulated tote bag is the most expensive out of Trader Joe’s limited bags. Designed to keep food and drinks cool or hot, the large insulated tote bag has seen its share of limited color designs, including a lavender version in April, a dusty blue one earlier this year and an olive green version last year.
Mini insulated tote bag: A smaller version of the large insulated tote bag, the $3.99 mini insulated bag is typically used as a lunch bag. Colors released in the past include magenta, teal, peach and electric blue. Recently, Trader Joe’s released a Summer Fun set with six colors in May.
Where are Trader Joe’s stores located in California?
Luckily for Californians, there’s no need to scour online marketplaces for Trader Joe’s latest tote bag. The grocery chain operates more than 150 locations across the Golden State, including stores in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Shoppers can use Trader Joe’s store listings to find a location near them.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Trader Joe’s mini striped totes just dropped. How to get one in CA
Reporting by Jason Hidalgo, Gabe Hauari and Daniella Segura, USA TODAY NETWORK / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jason Hidalgo, Gabe Hauari and Daniella Segura, USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Network
