If it wasn't already clear that spooky season was creeping in, the mini tote bags set to drop at Trader Joe's stores across California and the nation certainly are.
Known for drawing ghoulishly long lines outside stores, the black, green, purple, and orange bags — called "Trick-or-Treat Mini Canvas Totes"
— are set to return later this month "just in time for the sweetest ‘n scariest season of all," according to Trader Joe's.The Halloween tote bags were a social media sensation last year, with customers posting online soon after the bags' launch to either show off that they were able to snag a bag or highlight how they have personalized the bags with patches, charms, and paint.
Here's what to know about the mini totes, including when they'll be
available in stores.
When will Trader Joe's mini Halloween tote bags be in stores?
The company confirmed to USA TODAY in an email that it is planning to have its Halloween totes in stores beginning Wednesday, Sept. 30.
How much will the totes cost?
The totes will each cost $2.99.
What do the totes look like?
The "Mini Trick-or-Treat Canvas Tote Bags" are about 13 inches long, 11 inches tall, and 6 inches deep, according to Trader Joe's.
The bags will be available in multiple colors. "Think classic Halloween black, pumpkin orange, ghoulish green, and a pop of purple," the company said of the totes.
How long will the Halloween mini totes be available?
Trader Joe's Halloween mini tote bags will be available for a limited time.
The company says the bags are "ideal for candy-collecting adventures, seasonal gifting (bags filled with treats for your boo = boo-bags!), quick grocery runs, or any small haul that needs a sturdy, reusable carrier."
The Trader Joe's tote bag craze
From striped pastel mini tote bags to Micro Totes to insulated mini totes, the Halloween mini totes are the latest entry in Trader Joe's ever-expanding lineup of collectible 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.
Trader Joe's told USA TODAY earlier this year it filed a lawsuit to protect its customers from knockoff tote bags.
"We are aware that some knockoff totes are being sold online and have recently filed a lawsuit to protect our customers from being misled," the company said in an emailed statement to USA TODAY in June. The grocer said it sells only Trader Joe's products in its stores.
Trader Joe's totes have found fans abroad, with bags listed on international marketplaces, including Coupang, Depop, and Karrot, as well as eBay and Mercari. With no Trader Joe's stores abroad, resale prices listed by U.S. shoppers are often dramatically higher than in‑store prices, sometimes exceeding $1,000.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Trader Joe's Halloween mini totes return in California. Here's when
