Australia is having a moment when it comes to limited edition merch. Fast food chains, supermarkets and hardware stores are turning everyday items into fashion accessories and Aussies can’t get enough. The latest to make headlines is the McCafe tray bag: a free handbag with built-in cupholders that Macca’s released just 100 of in a first drop on October 9. It's clear the trend isn’t slowing down anytime soon, as news services like Nine are covering not only the McCafe tray bag but also the new Woolworths Bachelor’s Handbag.
But is limited edition merch in Australia actually worth the hype? Or are these novelty drops better left on the shelf? From weird fast food merch to supermarket streetwear, we’ve rounded up five memorable releases and compared their estimated cost per use to see which items offer the best value.
In this blog, we’ll give you:
- A breakdown of the weirdest limited edition merch in Australia
- An outline of how we worked out the cost per use for each item
- Some tips on how you can get your money’s worth
Limited Edition Merch at a Glance
The Limited Edition Merch Breakdown
1. McCafe Tray Bag
Macca’s has turned their familiar cardboard drinks tray into a handbag. The McCafe tray bag comes in a rich fig colour with a chunky shoulder strap, a zip pocket and dedicated drink holders (with room for keys, sunnies and headphones).
- Price: free
- Availability: The first 100 bags dropped on 9 October, but a second release is confirmed for 9am AEDT on Wednesday 14 October. Check the official MyMacca’s app for the eligibility requirements.
- Cost per use: $0, no matter how often you carry it.
- Verdict: Unbeatable on price, but the real cost is how hard it is to get one. With only 100 up for grabs in the first drop, be sure to keep an eye on the brand’s channels for the next release (that's better than paying inflated resale prices).
- Money-saving tip:
Check the entry requirements before the second drop. Since a purchase is required, factor in the drink’s price rather than assuming the bag will be completely free.
Woolworths Bachelor’s Handbag
Woolies has made the nickname official. Aussies have been calling the supermarket’s hot roast chicken the ‘bachelor’s handbag’ for a while, and now there’s a real one! The reusable, insulated bag that’s styled to look like the roast chicken packaging, with a sturdy handle and a detachable adjustable strap.
- Price: $10
- Availability: Launches on Wednesday 14 October at selected Woolworths supermarkets and metro stores while stocks last. Before making a special trip, make sure to check local availability.
- Cost per use: About $0.38 over 26 uses. It also keeps your chook warm on the way home or your lunch cool, so between the jokes, it does real work.
- Verdict: The best all-rounder of the five. It's cheap, practical and a proper conversation starter.
- Money-saving tip:
If you’re planning on grabbing one during a regular shop, bring one of our Woolworths coupon codes (and savings) along for the ride.
Bunnings Bum Bag
Joining the merch party with their own bum bag, Bunnings is offering one of the few drops here that are easy to get your hands on. Plenty of Aussies find it handy for hand-free weekend trips.
- Price: $15
- Availability: Available since 30 July 2026 in-store, online and for click & collect. And it’s still available!
- Cost per use: About $0.50 over 30 uses.
- Verdict: A solid pick, and there’s no rush since it’s still on shelves.
- Money-saving tip:
A friendly reminder that click & collect lets you skip delivery costs!
ALDImania Streetwear
The supermarket-branded streetwear and loungewear collection featured 29 pieces that were available in kids' and adult sizes alike, so the whole family could twin in style. Plus, each piece was made from sustainably sourced or recycled materials and was all about creating a mix-and-match aesthetic that Aussies could style their way.
- Price: $4.99 to $20
- Availability: Launched officially on Wednesday 9 April 2025 and was available in-store only for a limited run.
- Cost per use: From $0.25 to $1 over 20 wears.
- Verdict: A great buy at launch. If you spot pieces on resale sites, compare the price against the original $4.99 to $20 before you pay more.
- Money-saving tip:
For future ALDI drops, shop early. Limited runs that are in-store only tend to disappear fast.
Kentucky Fried Couture
Kentucky Fried Couture has been around the longest, with its first release back in May 2023. Featuring hoodies, T-shirts and sweats inspired by the enigmatic style of the colonel himself, the collection was initially barred from participating in Australian Fashion Week. So KFC decided to host their very own runway show to debut the collection and it was a great success for the fried chicken chain.
- Price: $20 to $75
- Availability: Released in May 2023, the collection is still available online through KFC’s merch store.
- Cost per use: $1 to $3.75 over 20 wears, so the value depends heavily on which piece you pick.
- Verdict: If you’ll really wear it, then it's worth it at the lower end. But at $75, it’s the one collection on this list most likely to be a statement piece instead of an everyday item.
- Money-saving tip:
Since it’s sold on a separate website, factor in any delivery costs before you work out your cost per use.
How We Worked Out the Cost Per Use
The math is simple:
The lower the number, the better the value. And to keep things fair, we used the same assumption for each item:
- McCafe Tray Bag: it’s free, so every use costs nothing.
- Woolworths Bachelor’s Handbag: one use a fortnight for a year (26 uses).
- Bunnings Bum Bag: 30 uses, such as weekend hardware runs and market trips.
- ALDImania and Kentucky Fried Couture: 20 wears each.
These are only estimates, so feel free to swap in your own numbers. If you’d use something twice as often, the cost per use halves.
How to Save on Limited Edition Merch
You don’t need to dig into your savings to join the trend. Just a few habits can make a world of difference:
- Follow the drop details: As the McCafe tray bag’s first drop shows, limited runs can sell out fast. Be sure to set a reminder for release times.
- Do the math: Divide the price by how often you’ll realistically use it before hitting “add to cart”.
- Be careful of scalpers: If something sold out, wait for an official restock before paying a markup.
- Count delivery: Online-only items can cost more once shipping is added.
- Look for coupons: You’d be surprised by how much a coupon could lower your shop total. Our fashion page is a great place to start if you’re looking for some affordable limited edition fashion dupes.
The Verdict
Ranked by cost per use, here’s how five of the limited edition merch stack up:
- McCafe Tray Bag: $0, but hard to get.
- ALDImania Streetwear: From $0.25, although it's tricky to find.
- Woolworths Bachelor’s Handbag: About $0.38 and easy to love.
- Bunnings Bum Bag: About $0.50 and still available.
- Kentucky Fried Couture: From $1 to $3.75, it's best for true fans.
If we had to pick one to buy, it would be the Woolworths Bachelor’s Handbag. Why? It’s practical, affordable and genuinely funny. Whichever you choose, remember to check for savings first and we’ll keep tracking the next bizarre merch drops as they land.
