A couple months ago I was at a Trader Joe’s in San Francisco and I saw someone buy up 10 bags 🤣 it definitely seemed like they were a tourist and they were visiting.
Trader Joe’s bags have become an international brand. You can see them pop up in places like Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and cities in Canada, like Toronto. Now even the bag has grown in popularity in the UK. They’ve amassed a cult like following and there’s plenty of reasons why.
The large canvas bags sell at only $3.99. they’re affordable, sturdy, and cute. They’ve since then added more varieties, cycling out new and old bags and holding exclusive ones at different locations across the US.
I’ve had my navy blue one for over 3 years without any wear and tear, and trust me. I throw everything in it, my gym clothes, my heavy books, snacks, etc. it’s strong, minimalist, and carries everything I need.
Also, it’s obviously not an expensive bag, so I never worry about it getting stolen and if it breaks, I can easily get another one at trader joes. I mostly use it for grocery shopping and holding my books.
In other cities beyond the US, the bag has become popular. In Japan, they like the bag because it fits into a style known as America core. White, navy blue, and put together.
For others, it’s a symbol to show that they’ve traveled to the US, or they simply just like this canvas tote bag. It’s also become a popular souvenir product that specifically Asians will buy for their friends and families and bring back. We love a good deal, so a nice tote bag like this at $4 a pop is great.
“A souvenir is all about its scarcity, including the fact that you can’t easily acquire it in your home country,” he said. And you can’t get these bags online from Trader Joe’s.
As someone who has brought a couple bags over to Taiwan for my mom and friends, I definitely understand the reasoning behind bringing these over as souvenirs (though I accompany the bag with snacks, like nuts and candies). I’ve even had my Canadian and Singaporean friends asked for things when I come visit ✈️
I know a lot of people are scratching their head about this craze, but the bare minimum of what you should know is that the bag gives you a feeling of delight: the fact that you have such a great bag at such a low cost. The idea of a souvenir is based on the fact that it’s hard to get and scarce in your home country. So Trader Joe’s is iconic and synonymous with specialty American grocery store.
Trader Joe’s, whether you like it or not, it has become an international brand recognized by many people around the world. As Trader Joe’s has niche, speciality products, it’s fun to peruse and explore what products are in the grocery store, especially if you are visiting. The appeal is also that there’s always new products in store, unlike what you would see at a Safeway, which to some, is a bit outdated and has pretty unhealthy food.
What was something meant to be just purely functional has become somewhat of a huge craze for visitors and fans alike.
And if you’re a big TJ’s fan, buy the below book. On Amazon.com, the book description states,” Trader Joe’s is a treasure trove of art. Hidden in plain sight, artwork animates everything from the brown paper grocery bags to eye-catching product packaging, murals, and handmade signs. This book uncovers the secret and surprising stories behind Trader Joe’s art, inspiring us to appreciate the grocery store as an art gallery.
In this book, you’ll…
- Explore Trader Joe’s product packaging, from the ancient Roman sculpture posing on Caesar Salad to the famous hot air balloon adorning Bamba Peanut Snacks.
- Witness how Trader Joe’s graphic designers remix vintage Victorian cartoons in the store’s Fearless Flyer newsletter and beyond.
- Admire Trader Joe’s parodies of classic artworks and pop culture icons, from Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa to The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh.
After visiting over 150 Trader Joe’s stores nationwide, Julie Averbach delivers a must-read for Trader Joe’s fans, art lovers, and curious minds. This beautiful, gift-worthy book overflows with riveting stories that will forever change the way you see Trader Joe’s.”
#bayareablogger #lifeinsanfrancisco #traderjoes
