Desi nostalgia or designer gimmick? Indian grocery bag listed as Rs 4,100 souvenir on Nordstrom

On Nordstrom’s site, the bag was described as a 'stylish bag, adorned with unique designs'.

A simple cotton bag—ubiquitous in Indian households and often handed out for free by local grocery shops—has sparked a wave of amusement and criticism online after it appeared on the American luxury retailer Nordstrom’s website with a price tag of $48 (approximately Rs 4,100).

The “Indian Souvenir Bag,” designed by Japanese brand Puebco, was marketed as a quirky, upcycled fashion accessory. Made of cotton and printed with colourful Hindi labels that read “Ramesh Special Namkeen”, “Anita Confectionary Works”, and “Chetak Sweets”, the bag is being sold under the guise of cultural appreciation.

On Nordstrom’s site, the bag was described as a “stylish bag, adorned with unique designs,” and “perfect for carrying your essentials while showing off your love for a beautiful country.” It was further advertised as “a must-have for any traveller or lover of Indian culture.”

But for most Indians, this “souvenir” was unmistakably the same free carry bag they’ve received for decades when buying snacks, sweets, or monthly groceries. The bag’s sudden transformation into a high-priced lifestyle item has triggered both ridicule and criticism on social media, with many users highlighting the absurdity of the rebranding.

“LOL - This is the take-home bag of a snack shop in my hometown in India. For sale for $48 at Nordstrom,” wrote Sheel Mohnot, a user on X (formerly Twitter), sharing a screenshot of the listing.

LOL - This is the take-home bag of a snack shop in my hometown in India.for sale for $48 at Nordstrom pic.twitter.com/GNm9CJlfmZ
Sheel Mohnot (@pitdesi) May 21, 2025

Another user commented, “If my mother didn’t get it for free after buying groceries monthly from the shop, she would give the shopkeeper an earful and threaten to never step into the shop. That’s the nostalgia I have.”

Some saw the humour in the situation and suggested similar desi items that could be rebranded and resold to Western markets. “Submitting this banana leaf to Nordstrom to add to their ethnic plates collection & charge $199,” quipped a user.

Another person chimed in, “Why does this make me angry a little bit?”

The listing, which appears to be part of Puebco’s sustainable product line, was seemingly created to target international customers interested in Indian culture and aesthetics.