Goodbye Products
Costco tries to cater to the most people possible. But the problem is that they have so much that they sometimes have to let products go. So enjoy these products while they’re still on shelves because sooner or later they’re gonna be pulled from the store.
MaraNatha Almond Butter
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The MaraNatha brand was a decent seller and very yummy. However, it’s been yoinked from shelf and replaced with the Kirkland Signature version. Customers say it’s a decent substitute though.
Food Court Churros
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The Costco food court is usually where you’ll see the most obvious product turnover.
It’s partially to push out things that don’t sell as well, or to make room for new products that fit a theme or holiday menu. Churros were one thing in rotation but not anymore.
Family Shopping
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The pandemic changed a lot of things, and some things permanently – maybe.
There is a large chance that the superstore will keep their “small-numbers” policy when it comes to groups. So there might not be anymore family outings in the future. This might be a pro or a con, but it’s totally personal.
Outdoor Food Membership
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People have to pay an annual membership to step through the doors.
But the one exception was the outdoor food courts. Anyone could get in line and have something from the scrumptious menu. But that’s now changing. You’ll need a membership card.
Fresh Cheesy Bread
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There are not always public or obvious reasons why things are taken off the shelves.
One brand of cheesy bread ended up disappearing and never coming back. It’s okay though, there are plenty of other options.
Half Sheet Cakes
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Wondering where Costco’s half-sheet cakes have gone? To answer that, the wholesaler shared an announcement with USA Today in July 2020.
It said, “Currently we’re not selling [the product] at any U.S. locations and as of right now, we have no immediate plans to bring [it] back. We’re focusing on our smaller chocolate cakes that seem to be resonating with our members.”
Kirkland American Cheese
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It was the perfect bulk cheese for anyone needing this dairy-delight for a large or hungry family.
But, the Kirkland Signature version was pushed out in favor of Kraft Singles. So, goodbye to the reasonably-priced 120 slices.
Polish Dogs
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The backlash to Costco’s elimination of the Polish dog was so strong that Costco had to make a statement on its website about it.
They claimed the all-beef ones were healthier, but customers couldn’t understand why they company couldn’t just put both out.
Japanese Beef
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Japanese Wagyu beef is highly prized, and, as you probably know, pretty expensive .
That’s what has some Costco shoppers hesitant about buying it: the fear that they will make a mistake and waste the pricey purchase.
Chocolate Soft-Serve
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Back in the day, Costco sold both vanilla and chocolate soft-serve, and you could even get a swirl of both flavors.
But when the chain introduced the acai bowl to the menu in 2018, the chocolate flavor was dropped to make room for the new item in U.S. warehouses.
Being Maskless
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It’s not just food that’s changing
There is a high chance that for the next few years that masks will be mandatory. If this makes you sad, just wait. There’s more procedural changes coming.
Seafood Shake Up
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It used to be consistent, but with pollution and other factors, it’s wise not to get too attached to any seafood deals.
One shopper shared that her favorite lump crab had been replaced with a mushy canned version. If you see any deals, grab them. Because they might not be back.
Chaokoh Coconut Milk
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This one is a bit more interesting.
PETA brought forward accusations which suggested the milk was coming from “monkey labor.” Theppadungporn Coconut Co. – the Thai business behind the drink – rejected the claims, but that didn’t stop Costco from dumping it.
Endangered Seafood
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Before 2011 Costco had a huge variety of fish on its shelves.
But that all came to an end thanks to Greenpeace. The organization encouraged Costco to take up a new approach which would help endangered sea creatures.
Kirkland Five-Pocket Jeans
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These were the go-to Dad jeans that everyone loved.
However, the company pulled them to bring out a new design. Customers were not happy and the backlash made the big store pull them again. They tried to repair the damage but people are still not happy. And the jeans weren’t the only trigger…
Haribo Sugar-Free Gummy Bears
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When Costco sold Haribo’s sugar-free gummy bears, they thought they finally hit the jackpot with a healthy candy alternative. But it was too good to be true.
The artificial sweetener, maltitol, which was used to replace the sugar was found to act as a laxative and caused extreme gastrointestinal distress. Haribo quickly pulled the product.
Turkey Burgers
Turkey burgers aren’t exactly healthy.
But the store brand was one of the few exceptions. Still, the food-mogul took them off the shelves and ignored the Change.org petition that everyone signed to get them back. Needless to say, people were not impressed.
Kirkland Signature Cinnamon Roll Protein Bars
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Finding the right balance between taste and nutrition in a protein bar isn’t as easy as you’d think! Yet Costco found the perfect balance with the Kirkland Signature Cinnamon Roll Protein Bars.
It’s hard to understand why they took these ones off the shelf. So take a long look, because you can’t get these delicious delights anymore!
Touching Cards
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It used to be as simple as putting your card on the belt before the rest of your things.
Now, everyone will have to just show the card to the cashier so they can input the number. No more touching anything – thank you pandemic.
Beyond Meat Burgers
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People who want their burgers to be meat-free but not taste like cardboard find it can be tough to get a good-flavored patty.
This was the case with one brand that everyone hated. It was no surprise that it didn’t stay in stock long.
Kirkland Trek Mix
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For just under $8, you could get your hands on a bag full of tasty yummies.
There were chocolate chips, almonds, cranberries and pumpkin seeds. Sounds ideal, right? But the item isn’t around today – several alternatives have taken its place.
Costco Cookbooks
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If you have a hard copy of Cooking the Costco Way, treasure it, because it won’t be returning to your local warehouse.
Costco explained that the store is no longer offering the cookbook during the Thanksgiving season. Instead, members can find recipes in the Costco Connection magazine.
Kirkland Body Soap
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Good quality can’t always save a product.
The signature bar was a really good deal as well as being excellent quality. The big problem was the strong smell that many people couldn’t stand. Customers made it clear they weren’t happy.
Food Court Calzones
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There was a time when Costco’s food court offered consumers two large calzones for under $7.
However, these delicious dishes were dropped some years ago because they weren’t profitable enough for the company.
Roundup
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If you’re shopping at Costco for yard supplies, Roundup is one thing you won’t find in the store aisles. The warehouse club famously stopped selling Roundup after a lawsuit that alleged carcinogens.
An Change.org petition of over 900,000 signatures also helped.
Bamboo Enamel Salad Bowl
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The black enamel set featuring a salad bowl and serving utensils was going for just $9.97.
But if you see an asterisk on any price tag, it means the product won’t be restocked. It’s just part of the product rotation.
Free Samples
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This one is easy to understand. But it’s also devastating.
One of the draws of the super-store was the free samples. It was easy and zero-cost to find those gems the family would love. But due to 2020 and all that came with it, they won’t be a thing anymore.
Caged Eggs
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Not all changes are bad. In this case it’s eggs that come from better-treated chickens.
In its statement on animal welfare, Costco explains that 94% of its eggs are cage-free. And the chain is working to bring that number up to 100%.
Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels
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Once upon a time, the Costco food court had soft pretzels, including cinnamon-sugar ones.
Now, you’ll have to find a totally different store if you want something similar. No one has any idea why they’ve disappeared.
Luna Lemon Zest Minis
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This one is also a head-scratcher. The snack bars were a great deal, but they didn’t stay in-store for long. Maybe it was the flavor? Maybe they didn’t move as fast as Costco wanted? Who knows. All anyone knows is that they’re gone.
Food Court’s Fresh-Made Gelato
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If you’re a gelato fan, you might have remembered getting these scoops at Costco a few years ago! For just $1.50, the wholesaler’s food court sold three scoops of different flavored gelato.
They went down a treat but the company decided to remove them from their menu in 2015 and people don’t know why!
Kirkland Signature French Comté
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There are many brands and varieties of cheese in Costco. However, Kirkland’s Signature French Comté rose above all the others!
It surprised everyone when this delicious chesse was pulled from the shelf. It’s really too bad the wholesaler doesn’t sell this item anymore!
Food Court’s Chocolate-Dipped Ice Cream Bars
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A chocolate-dipped ice cream bar you say? Yes, please! This was the reaction of almost everyone in the food court at Costco where they used to sell these for only $1.50. However, they stopped selling them in 2013. Apparently, the dairy and almond costs were too expensive to maintain!
Kirkland Signature’s Frozen Four-Cheese Ravioli
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This item was one of the most beloved items at Costco at one moment in time. So when Costco decided to cut it, it’s no surprise that the public put up quite a fight to get it back.
In 2012, people even took to Facebook to ask for them back. One user even volunteered to pay for their production himself!
Flavor-Blasted Graham Goldfish
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Goldfish have long been the snack cracker of choice for a lot of us. Yet, many people may not know that it’s not just cheddar flavors that they produce. For a period of time, Costco stocked these S’more flavored crackers but it never took off.
This item quietly disappeared from the shelves!
Food Court’s BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwiches
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Costco’s food court is quietly impressive! Not many people knew they sold BBQ beef brisket sandwiches in the past, but those who did couldn’t walk past without grabbing one.
However, covered in saturated fats, they ultimately opted to cancel them and replace them with a healthier option!
All-American Chocolate Cake
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Costco’s All-American Chocolate Cake was a big success when it was first released. Weighing in at 7 pounds and costing under $17, it contained close to 13,000 calories but that didn’t stop anyone from buying it!
The cake was not only huge in size but also success! So when it suddenly disappeared, everyone was left to wonder why…
Banana Nut Cheerios
Cheerios have long been a staple house-hold item for many families. There’s nothing like a bowl of this stuff to start your day – no matter which of the wide range of flavors you pick. However, that’s not to say some didn’t make the cut.
This banana-nut version of Cheerios left the shlef at Costco almost as soon as it appeared!