Abstract: A shopping bag carrying device has two handles, one affixed to each end of a flexible loop-forming element in the form of a strap or a length of rope-like material. When the handles of one or more shopping bags are threaded onto the loop-forming element and the carrying device handles brought together, the device's loop is closed, thus confining the shopping bag handles and preventing them from slipping or straying. A releasable latching device is provided to hold the handles together while the carrying device is in use. Another embodiment uses only one handle at one end of the loop-forming element, the other end carrying a slotted extension through which the one handle may be passed to close the device's loop and hold the shopping bags in place.