"If You Visit Korea, You Just Have to Buy It"...What Is This 3,000-Won Bag That Foreigners Stock Up On?

Olive Young Bag Sales Surpass 1.78 Million Units
Becomes a Must-Have Souvenir Amid K-Beauty Craze
Shopping Bags Evolving into Global Collectible Goods

Shopping baskets and tote bags, which were once considered mere practical items for grocery shopping, are now evolving into lifestyle products that embody brand experiences. Following the global collector craze sparked by the Trader Joe's eco bag in the United States, the Olive Young tarpaulin bag has become a new 'Korean travel souvenir' among foreign tourists visiting Korea.

Foreign tourists shopping at Olive Young.

Foreign visitors coming to Korea for K-beauty shopping have started to purchase not just cosmetics but also the shopping bags that go along with them, leading to the perception that shopping baskets are evolving into branded merchandise that reflects brand identity.

Olive Young Tarpaulin Bag Becomes a Must-Have Item for Foreign Tourists

According to CJ on August 7, the Olive Young tarpaulin bag priced at 3,000 won has surpassed 1.78 million cumulative sales in just one year and six months since its launch. The bag is currently being sold at approximately 150 stores in areas such as Myeong-dong, Hongdae, and Seongsu, where many foreign tourists visit.

Olive Young Tarpaulin Bag. Thread @palaslouise Screenshot

Especially, as more foreign tourists who purchase K-beauty products in bulk are also buying the tarpaulin bag along with their cosmetics, the product has become established as a representative souvenir of Korean travel, far beyond its original role as a simple shopping bag. This suggests that the bag is now being consumed as a visual symbol that signifies the experience of "shopping at Olive Young in Korea," in addition to serving a practical function.

This trend aligns with recent changes in the consumption patterns of foreign tourists. Unlike before, when their spending was focused on expensive luxury goods and traditional specialties at popular tourist spots, they now increasingly seek to experience and share the everyday brands and products used by locals. The industry views the popularity of the Olive Young tarpaulin bag as a result of the global trend toward consuming K-culture and everyday aspects of Korean life.

Shopping Bags Transform into Global Collector’s Items

Internationally, the craze for goods such as shopping baskets and eco bags continues. A notable example is the American retailer Trader Joe's. Its striped design mini tote bag, priced at just $2.99 (about 4,000 won), has become a collector’s item, often trading at several to dozens of times the retail price in the resale market since its launch.

Trader Joe's Mini Canvas Tote Bag. Trader Joe's

Riding on this success, other global retail companies have actively joined the competition to release branded goods. Costco introduced a limited-edition reusable tote bag set featuring illustrations of its signature products, which quickly sold out, while Whole Foods released a mini tote bag in collaboration with seafood brand Fishwife, expanding their line-up of branded merchandise.

Behind the rise of shopping bags as global collector’s items are the exclusivity of limited editions and stylish design elements. Moving away from mass production, these bags feature seasonal limited colors and collaborative designs that spark the desire to collect. Combined with sharing culture on social networking services (SNS), these bags have been elevated from simple shopping totes to fashionable items that express individual taste.

"Buying Experiences, Not Just Things"...The New Arena for Brand Competition

The popularity of shopping basket merchandise shows that today’s consumers are purchasing not only the functional value of a single product but also the experiences and symbolism provided by brands. What was once only a subsidiary packaging material has become a key marketing asset that intensely conveys a brand's identity. For global tourists in particular, these bags serve as a medium that preserves memories of having experienced a brand and of their travels.

An industry insider said, "Today's consumers do not simply buy products; they prefer mediums that can allow them to share the brands and cultures they have experienced. Even everyday items like shopping bags can grow into high-value-added products that enhance brand value when differentiated with unique stories and designs."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.