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SHOPPING

These trendy items made shoppers go crazy: See fads of the past

April 16, 2025, 5:01 p.m. ET
You still see them at yard sales and thrift stores, but in 1996 Beanie Babies were the item to get. People bought ten or more at a time and stores sold out in hours.
You still see them at yard sales and thrift stores, but in 1996 Beanie Babies were the item to get. People bought ten or more at a time and stores sold out in hours.
Shelley Mays, The Tennessean Via USA TODAY NETWORK
The Trader Joe's mini tote has undoubtedly gotten a lot of traction online. While Trader Joe's canvas bags certainly aren't new, this week, the retailer relaunched the cute accessory in a slew of new spring colorsÑincluding pastel pink, green and a lavender purple. The Trader Joe's bag drop (unsurprisingly) caused mayhem both in stores and online, as shoppers rushed to get their hands on the coveted reusable totes.
The Trader Joe's mini tote has undoubtedly gotten a lot of traction online. While Trader Joe's canvas bags certainly aren't new, this week, the retailer relaunched the cute accessory in a slew of new spring colorsÑincluding pastel pink, green and a lavender purple. The Trader Joe's bag drop (unsurprisingly) caused mayhem both in stores and online, as shoppers rushed to get their hands on the coveted reusable totes.
Jenna Hecker, USA TODAY
As of 2006 you didn't have to go outside to play tennis, you could play in your living room on the Nintendo Wii.
As of 2006 you didn't have to go outside to play tennis, you could play in your living room on the Nintendo Wii.
ROBYN BECK, AFP Via Getty Images
A woman takes boxes of "Zhu Zhu Pets" toys, pocket-sized hamster dolls, in a supermarket of Bordeaux, southwestern France. The interactive toy pets, that go by names, were among the hottest toys for Christmas in 2010.
A woman takes boxes of "Zhu Zhu Pets" toys, pocket-sized hamster dolls, in a supermarket of Bordeaux, southwestern France. The interactive toy pets, that go by names, were among the hottest toys for Christmas in 2010.
JEAN-PIERRE MULLER, AFP Via Getty Images
Bella Boye of Tampa, Fla. is photographed with her Stanley cups. When Stanley dropped a limited edition color of their massively popular cups in partnership with Target on New Year's Eve, stores across the nation began selling out instantly. In fact, the thirst for the coveted reusable water bottle is so high, listings on eBay have the originally $45 tumbler selling for upward of $100 to $200. Bella was in line at 4:40am to be among the first to run inside Target for the tumblers.
Bella Boye of Tampa, Fla. is photographed with her Stanley cups. When Stanley dropped a limited edition color of their massively popular cups in partnership with Target on New Year's Eve, stores across the nation began selling out instantly. In fact, the thirst for the coveted reusable water bottle is so high, listings on eBay have the originally $45 tumbler selling for upward of $100 to $200. Bella was in line at 4:40am to be among the first to run inside Target for the tumblers.
Octavio Jones, For USA TODAY
Hasbro released its first set of Transformers in 1984. The toys were marketed with a backstory, supported by a Marvel comic book series, a cartoon television series, animated movies, video games, consumer goods and even its own cereal, according to a news release. Transformers figurines have continued to stay relevant alongside the live-action movies. The first, "Transformers" was released in 2007, starring Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox and Josh Duhamel.
Hasbro released its first set of Transformers in 1984. The toys were marketed with a backstory, supported by a Marvel comic book series, a cartoon television series, animated movies, video games, consumer goods and even its own cereal, according to a news release. Transformers figurines have continued to stay relevant alongside the live-action movies. The first, "Transformers" was released in 2007, starring Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox and Josh Duhamel.
Reg Innell, Toronto Star Via Getty Images
Frozen Elsa doll was tops over Barbie in a poll from 2014. Some of the Disney products were going for hundreds on eBay.
Frozen Elsa doll was tops over Barbie in a poll from 2014. Some of the Disney products were going for hundreds on eBay.
Orange County Register Via Getty Images
People went crazy for Cabbage Patch Kids all over the world in 1983. The dolls were even sold in Harrods in London.
People went crazy for Cabbage Patch Kids all over the world in 1983. The dolls were even sold in Harrods in London.
Len Trievnor/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
No toy can be so connected with the holiday scramble than Tickle Me Elmo. From massive lines at toy stores to absurd eBay auctions, the giggling 'Sesame Street' doll was the talk of 1996.
No toy can be so connected with the holiday scramble than Tickle Me Elmo. From massive lines at toy stores to absurd eBay auctions, the giggling 'Sesame Street' doll was the talk of 1996.
Colin McConnell, Toronto Star Via Getty Images
Children surround a "Furby" at the opening of the FAO Schwarz "Furby Shop" in New York on October 2, 1998. The Furby, a robot that talked to you and knew when you were in the room, was *the* toy of 2000. More than 40 million were sold in its first 3 years of production before it faded to the back of the toy store shelves.
Children surround a "Furby" at the opening of the FAO Schwarz "Furby Shop" in New York on October 2, 1998. The Furby, a robot that talked to you and knew when you were in the room, was *the* toy of 2000. More than 40 million were sold in its first 3 years of production before it faded to the back of the toy store shelves.
Ray Stubblebine, Reuters