A frenzy at Trader Joe’s: “Everyone is there for the tote bags”

For the second consecutive year, Trader Joe’s brought a frenzy of Black Friday in its stores. But instead of queuing for a new video game console or the Taylor Swift vinyl, customers are waiting for their turn to buy miniature tote bags carrying the logo of the grocery chain for $ 2.99.

Some people camped in front of the hours before their opening, while others sent friends to take the exclusive article. On a few occasions, people seemed to fight or enter physical altercations on the 11 by 13 inch canvas bags, showed videos on social networks.

Kevin Burgoon, an employee of a Joe’s trader in Sacramento, said the first customer aligned himself at 5 am on Tuesday. As the store opened three hours later, he estimated that more than 150 people were waiting. The bags, offered in four pastel color diagrams, sold within 15 minutes.

“I just thought it was crazy,” said Burgoon, adding that people called the store “Still” that morning to see if the bags were still in stock.

The race started a year ago when, without notice, Trader Joe’s published its first series of limited edition bins, essentially smaller on the reusable canvas bags that the chain has sold for years. The bins have become a fashionable accessory and a rush to make them follow. This year, there was a little more warning and stores were prepared for chaos.