A simple grocery bag sold by Trader Joe's, one of the most popular grocery chains in the US, has become a viral phenomenon, causing its price to skyrocket to as much as $500 (€457) on resale platforms such as eBay.

Initially available for less than $3 (€2.75) at Trader Joe's, these fabric bags quickly became popular after TikTok users shared them widely.

With its basic look, in four different colours, the tote bags have gained unprecedented popularity, amassing 11 million views in just one week.

The frenzy surrounding the product was so intense that some Trader Joe's stores imposed per-person purchase limits. The incident raises memories of other product races, as happened in Portugal with the products of the German retailer Lidl, which spread widely on social media.

This interest generated two reactions among consumers: those who wanted the product for personal use or to give as a gift, and those who saw a business opportunity.

Sales on resale platforms range from $145 (€132) to $500 (€457), although it is unclear whether all closed sales at those prices have been confirmed.