Big W selling expensive designer handbags for under $200

The budget retailer has surprised with a recent addition to shelves which saves shoppers over $179 on a popular designer product.

Big W has surprised shoppers with a recent addition to shelves: designer handbags.

The budget Australian retailer is now selling a popular range of Michael Kors leather bags for under $200 – saving shoppers $179.

The “Women’s Jet Set Large Saffiano Leather Crossbody Bag” is available to purchase for $379 direct from the Michael Kors website.

However, Big W is selling them for just $199 in four different colour variations, including black with either gold or silver hardware as well as tan and “black signature”.

An eagle-eyed shopper shared the discovery – which is only available to purchase online – on TikTok, asking: “Am I the only one surprised to see Big W selling designer handbags?”

One beady-eyed Australian spotted Big W was selling Michael Kors bags online. Picture: TikTok/@instaemma89

The social media user, who goes by the handle @instaemma89, said she’d noticed the unexpected item on the store’s website when browsing, describing the latest product line as “fancy”.

“I went to the Michael Kors website and checked the comparative price and they are $379 for the exact same bag,” she said.

Emma’s video quickly blew up, earning hundreds of thousands of views in the 24 hours since it was posted.

Many thought the new range of bags was a “random” choice for the budget retailer, but others said it wasn’t the only expensive brand the store had started stocking recently.

“They also now sell New Balance and Hoka shoes online too,” one commented.

“Even Tommy Hilfiger,” another remarked, as someone else added: “And Adidas”.

Someone else mused: “I saw Birkenstocks online recently too”.

Many argued whether Michael Kors was even considered designer which riled up others.

“It’s still a designer brand it’s just not a luxury designer brand like Gucci etc,” one lamented.

“Your opinion on whether you like Michael Kors or not, they’re still considered ‘designer’,” another scoffed.

Shoppers were impressed, pointing out the budget retailer actually sold other designer brands now too. Picture: Supplied

One suggested Big W was absorbing stock that brands were struggling to shift in a similar manner to stores such as TK Max.

As one even claimed: “They’re drop shipping. All the big stores do it”.

There were also some who frothed over the news, stating: “This is going to save me some money”.

“Excuse me running to Big W online,” one agreed.

“No way,” someone else declared.

The budget retailer recently axed its 15 cent bags. Picture: Supplied

The special deal comes after Big W, which is also owned by the Woolworths group, announced it would be phasing out soft reusable plastic shopping bags in the name of sustainability.

Its 15 cent and 45 cent bags will be slowly removed from stock, with the company estimating it will result in around 480 tonnes of plastic being removed from circulation every year.

Paper and reusable bags are still available.