This $1 Ikea Tote Is So Much Better Than the Viral Trader Joe’s Bag

We’re in a grocery bag renaissance—especially if you’re a Trader Joe’s fan. The grocery chain has seen Black Friday-level frenzy this year, with shoppers lining up at 4 a.m. for new tote bags.

Yes, $4 mini tote bags. Or $600 on eBay. It’s an internet obsession far more unhinged than the pickle mania currently sweeping the nation. I’ve watched the madness unfold (popcorn in hand), knowing all too well there’s another way. There’s a better mini grocery tote out there—with no lines to wait in.

And (cue the Macklemore) it was 99 cents.

Ikea’s Storstomma Rainbow Tote Bag

Ikea is a magical, budget-friendly place to grocery shop. While most folks are worried about changes at the Sam’s Club Café or menu hacks at the Costco food court, I’m throwing down at the Ikea quick service counter (The frozen lingonberry drink is the stuff of warehouse food legend.) and stocking up on elderflower juice boxes to create the ultimate #girldinner mocktail.

And when I’m treating myself to a bunch of Swedish factory-made junk food, I can stuff it all in a little nifty tote bag: the Ikea Storstomma. TJ’s canvas could never.

Like its bright blue (and best-selling) sister, Frakta, the Storstomma bag series is made from 100-percent polypropylene, so it’s incredibly easy to wipe clean. Storstomma is currently offered in two sizes in the U.S.: a 2,401-ounce mega tote and the adorable mini that’s about 10.75 inches by 10.75 inches.

It’s slightly shorter than the viral TJ’s mini tote, but it has the same top-handle silhouette. Even better: It has optional shoulder straps because this baby can hold up to 11 pounds. Now, it doesn’t have the mini front pocket, but (cue the Macklemore, again) it was 99 cents. And the XL Storstomma is just $3.99, which is still less expensive than TJ’s.

These rainbow bags are available all year, but during Pride Month, there’s a special give-back program. For June, 100 percent of the retail sale price of Storstomma bags purchased (up to $50,000 total) will be donated to The Trevor Project, a national organization dedicated to suicide prevention efforts among LGBTQIA+ youth. Since its launch in 2020, the Storstomma giveback has donated more than $250,000 to LGBTQIA+ organizations nationwide.

And if you stop in for a rainbow tote this month, don’t miss the Rainbow Cake! It’s back and just $3.99. Like previous years, Ikea will donate a portion of sales (up to $150,000) from Rainbow Cake slices to Rainbow Railroad, a nonprofit organization helping LGBTQIA+ people facing persecution around the world.