$COST Copies a Popular Trader Joe's Collectible With Two New Canvas Tote Bags

Trader Joe's canvas bags have become a global sensation, and Costco now wants to get in on the action with its own version. Costco has started selling two new heavy-duty canvas tote bags in the U.S.
Made by KeepCool, the cream-colored totes carry the Costco Wholesale logo with either black or red accents. The two-pack, which includes a small bag and an extra-large one, retails for $10.99 online, according to Grocery Dive. Their designs bear a striking resemblance to the bags sold by the specialty grocer.
eBay shows hundreds of listings for Trader Joe's bags, with prices ranging from $8.99 to $50,000 for sets of multiple bags, though it is unclear whether any have sold at the highest prices. Trader Joe's sells mini canvas totes for $2.99 each, standard/large canvas totes for $3.99 each, and mini cooler/insulated bags for $3.99 each. A Trader Joe's manager in Viera, Florida, said stores sometimes limit purchases to 3, 5, or 10 per person because people resell the bags online at inflated prices.
Costco has not commented on the new totes. RTM Nexus CEO Dominick Miserandino said Costco faces an uphill battle: "Costco can make the bag. The harder part is making people care about getting the bag."
He noted that Trader Joe's made a cheap tote something people hunt for by changing colors, keeping supply feeling limited, and making people think they might miss out. He added that Costco already has a fanatical customer base, and that if it keeps changing the bags and gives people a reason to want the next one, "this could absolutely work."