Costco has entered the tote bag game.
The wholesale retailer recently released two new "heavy duty" canvas tote bags, which appear similar to Trader Joe's iconic canvas tote bag. Costco's bags, available in small and extra large sizes, are cream colored with black or red detailing. The "Costco Wholesale" logo is printed on a front pocket. The large tote bag also features an interior pocket, according to the Costco website. Trader Joe's basic canvas tote bag is also cream colored with a single accent color.
Costco's canvas tote bags first launched across Asia and Canada before making their way to the United States this fall, as indicated by customer social media posts.
Canvas tote bags have been all the rage over the past year, with Trader Joe's
leading the market. Limited-edition Halloween, spring and even miniature tote bags from the natural grocery store have sparked long lines and frustrated customers who can't seem to get their hands on one. And some Trader Joe's tote bags sell for hundreds to thousands of dollars on resale sites like eBay.
USA TODAY reached out to both Costco and Trader Joe's about the new bags on Oct. 14.
How much do Costco's new canvas tote bags cost?
On the Costco website, a 2-pack of the canvas tote bags, which includes small and extra large bags, is available for $10.99. Individual bags on the website are $5.50 each.
However, customers have shared a slightly cheaper price on social media, including $8.99 for the two bags in Albany, New York; Wayne, New Jersey; Cherry Hill, New Jersey; Chicago; Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania.
@kaitlynmcv_ South Jersey @Costco Wholesale has the mini tote bags now!!! $9 for a 2 pack!! SO CUTE AH #costco #costcofinds #costcotiktok #costcohaul #southjersey
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What sizes are Costco's canvas tote bags?
Costco is selling two sizes of its new tote bag:
- Small: 14.6 inches wide, 5.1 inches deep and 9.8 inches tall
- Extra large: 23.6 inches wide, 7.1 inches deep and 13.4 inches tall
How to buy Costco's canvas tote bags
The Costco canvas tote bags are available in stores, while supplies last. As of Oct. 14, the bags were sold out on the Costco website.
Customers react to Costco tote bags online
Right on queue, eager Costco customers have taken to social media to share excitement for the new bags.
"I'm out running errands and I went to Costco to get half of my groceries and did y'all know that Costco now has these canvas tote bags? They're so cute," content creator caymonet23 said in a recent TikTok video. "Of course I got three sets because I needed one and then I told my mom and my sister and they also wanted one."
"Did I need another tote bag? No. Did I buy the matching mini Costco set? Absolutely!" content creator DMV Aisle Adventure said in a video showing off the bags in Washington, DC, posted Sept. 20.
"Wait, Trader Joe's, you might have competition," content creator fr4nyb said in a recent TikTok video. "Costco just dropped a canvas tote bag and now I'm actually obsessed. This is giving I just ran errands and somehow look put together."
But others aren't so sure, with some specifically critizing the light-colored design.
"The handles and bottom should be a different color and not just that white color. It looks like it will get dirty more easily and the design is just ugly," an Instagram user commented on Costco Hotbuy's post, showing off the bags. "I wish I’d had some design on it to make it look cuter."
Another user commented on Costco Jaque's post about the bags: "This doesn’t make sense though. Trader Joe’s encourages reusable bags, so it makes sense that they’d have their own. Costco doesn’t use bags since you buy in bulk."
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Move over, Trader Joe's. Costco is selling a canvas tote bag too
