Costco is practically an American institution. A ton of people across the nation just can’t imagine living without it. This member’s only warehouse is known for its huge buildings, giant portions, and affordable prices. It has introduced iconic offerings to us, but we are sad to report that it is time for us to bid some of them goodbye. There are various reasons they have been pulled out. Others had to do with the pandemic, but some items simply failed to turn a profit. There have even been controversies that made popular products disappear overnight. At any rate, we are sure that the following items will be missed.
A List Of Products That Costco Has Discontinued Over The Years
Roundup Weed Killer
The slogan of Roundup is “No root, no weed, no problem.” We are sad to report that the last part is not exactly true. After all, the company behind the weed killer has found itself in hot water when it was sued for reportedly causing cancer. In the end, Costco dropped the line and has not sold the item since then.
Roundup Weed Killer
Kirkland Trek Mix
Do you like the outdoors and hiking? If this is the case, you might be heartbroken to hear that Costco’s Kirkland Trek Mix has been pulled from the shelves. The chain continues to offer third park versions, but we are sure that this won’t cut it if you are a diehard fan of the original. It will certainly be missed.
Kirkland Trek Mix
Food Court Italian Sausage Sandwich
For decades, the Italian Sausage Sandwich was considered a staple at the Costco food courts in the Northeast. However, the pandemic has truly changed a lot of things. For one thing, the food courts had to simplify their menus. It is pretty sad that this menu item was one of the casualties of this change.
Food Court Italian Sausage Sandwich
Beef Brisket Sandwich
We do not find it hard to understand why there are so many fans of the $4.99 Costco Beef Brisket Sandwich. Sadly, it was cut from the food court menu and replaced with healthier options. Even so, there are rumors that it is going to make a reappearance as a seasonal offering in certain stores.
Beef Brisket Sandwich
Endangered Fish
Did you know that Costco started to phase out overfished or endangered seafood from the stores in 2011? On the list, we have fish like bluefin tuna, grouper, wild swordfish, sharks, Chilean sea bass, Wild King Salmon, and Atlantic cod. If you ask us, this actually sounds like a step in the right direction.
Endangered Fish
Cigarettes
In 2016, a lot of retailers started to pull out cigarettes from their shelves. Costco is one such company. A spokesperson for the company explained, “Tobacco is a very low margin business, tends to have higher theft and is labor-intensive in some cases (due to local municipality regulations)—further, we felt we could better use the space to merchandise other items.”
Cigarettes
Chocolate Frozen Yogurt
You must have at least heard of the acai frozen yogurt from Costco. The healthy and tasty flavor has become a hit ever since it was introduced in 2018. Sadly, it was responsible for the disappearance of the traditional chocolate flavor. We are just glad that the company continues to sell the regular vanilla one.
Chocolate Frozen Yogurt
Chaokoh Coconut Milk
A popular coconut milk brand called Chaokoh was at the center of controversy in the fall of 2020. It came to light that they used monkey labor for coconut picking. PETA said, “When not being forced to pick coconuts or perform in circus-style shows for tourists, the animals were kept tethered, chained to old tires, or confined to cages barely larger than their bodies. One coconut farmer confirmed that when monkeys are terrified and try to defend themselves, handlers may have their teeth pulled out.” This is the reason Costco stopped selling their products. It released a statement that read, “We have ceased purchasing from our supplier/owner of the brand Chaokoh… We have made it clear to the supplier we do not support the use of monkeys for harvesting and that all harvesting must be done by human labor.”
Chaokoh Coconut Milk
Calzones
While we are all familiar with Costco pizza pies, they used to sell calzones at the food court as well. They came with dipping sauce and in a number of varieties. In the past, they used to be a hit since people loved getting two for $6.99. Sadly, it was axed from the menu because it was not profitable enough.
Calzones
The Original Kirkland Golf Balls
Are you a Costco member? Do you like golf? If so, you might have been thrilled with the introduction of Kirkland Signature gold balls to the lineup. Titleist, the golf equipment manufacturer, was not happy about it. The company sued Costco because the design was similar to theirs. The warehouse store lost the case and released a different version of golf balls. Sadly, they were bad enough to warrant refunds.
The Original Kirkland Golf Balls
Palmetto Cheese
Costco reportedly took out Palmetto cheese products from its shelves after the owner of the brand said controversial things about protests. Despite this, the warehouse store chain said that it was nothing more than a product swap. The official statement said, “Costco rotates items in and out during the course of the year. They will occasionally add and drop products as a matter of normal business… We remain optimistic that Palmetto Cheese will be back on the shelves in the not too distant future.”
Palmetto Cheese
Kirkland Cinnamon Roll Protein Bars
No one likes it when their favorite product is pulled out all of a sudden. It is disappointing to hear that you won’t get to enjoy it anymore. This was the case for the fans of the Kirkland Cinnamon Roll Protein Bar. It was a popular snack, but it was phased out under the plan to introduce new flavors in the future.
Kirkland Cinnamon Roll Protein Bars
Racially Insensitive Cuddle With Me Doll
In the early 2000s, Costco sold the Cuddle with Me doll for a brief period of time. It landed in hot water with a specific doll, which was the only African-American model in the lineup. It had a stuffed monkey, as well as a headband that said, “lil’ monkey.” People could not believe that the company would be this racially insensitive. This made Costco pull out that doll right away, but it later axed the brand itself.
Racially Insensitive Cuddle With Me Doll
Hand-Dipped Ice Cream Bar
Once upon a time, you could get hand-dipped ice cream bars at the Costco food court. It was a success since it was pretty cheap at only $1.30. Sadly, the treat was eventually discontinued. Some fans remain hopeful that it will return to the menu, but all the petitions in the past have not succeeded in this.
Hand-Dipped Ice Cream Bar
Kirkland Body Soap
Up next, we have another item that proved popular among Costco shoppers. Despite this, Kirkland Body Soap was pulled because it had a “strong scent.” Too bad. We personally do not understand why this is such a huge issue for a product like this one, but it was clearly bad enough that it was discontinued.
Kirkland Body Soap
Kirkland 4-Cheese Ravioli
There are times when we just want an easy-to-prepare Italian dinner after a long day of work or school. Sadly, we can no longer make ourselves Kirkland 4-Cheese Ravioli since it is no longer for sale. It was said to be good enough that local Italian restaurants would simply serve it and pretend it was their own.
Kirkland 4-Cheese Ravioli
Original Kirkland Signature Jeans
The original cut of the Kirkland Signature “dad jeans” had been a hit with the shoppers of the warehouse store chain. They were disappointed when Costco pulled them out. What makes this even worse is that the new cut was considered much inferior. It is hard to find a good pair of jeans, so that must blow.
Original Kirkland Signature Jeans
All-American Chocolate Cake
Sometimes, all you need a slice of chocolate cake. People used to turn to the All-American Chocolate Cake at Costco for this. It was a decadent treat with four delicious layers. The company did not offer an explanation when it pulled out the item in 2020. Fans have launched petitions to bring it back.
All-American Chocolate Cake
Free Samples
Fair enough, free samples are not really “products” in the sense that they are not sold. However, they used to be essential to the Costco experience! This is yet another casualty of the pandemic. We sure hope that we have not yet seen the last of them. After all, who doesn’t love free food?
Free Samples
Kirkland Peanut Butter Cups
Reese’s now dominates the peanut butter cup scene, but hardcore fans of the Kirkland offering claimed that the phased-out product was even better. They might have loved it a lot, but it looks like they did not recruit enough fans. It was axed because it was simply not profitable enough to keep it in the store.
Kirkland Peanut Butter Cups
Kirkland Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Costco phased out the Kirkland Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips even though it was well-loved. What made it so special? A Reddit user took the time to say that the chocolate was baked “into cookies, muffins, and pancakes incredibly well. They weren’t too sweet, had a great flavor, and came in an enormous bag.”
Kirkland Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Gelato
There was a time when gelato was on the food court menu. This lasted for years, and it even earned a cult following. We are sure that it helped that it only cost people $1.50 to get three scoops. They also had the option to buy an entire quart for no more than $4.99! It would be nice if they brought it back.
Gelato
Kirkland Light Beer
It is not a secret that many college students are broke, in debt, or both. Kirkland Signature’s Light Beer was a hit for this reason. This was popular among the college crowd, as well as Fourth of July revelers. We bet that it had something to do with the fact that a can costs less than $0.60 when you buy a 48-pack. Sadly, the brand was discontinued. These days, Costco only sells third-party beers.
Kirkland Light Beer
Costco Cookbooks
Do people still use cookbooks in this day and age? You can google everything now, so we doubt it. In the early 2000s, the warehouse store chain published a series of cookbooks that featured recipes and their products. The chain continues to release recipes on the internet, but it is no longer the same thing.
Costco Cookbooks
Warm Pretzels
At one point in the past, visitors could enjoy a number of warm pretzels at Costco. You are looking at a photo of the cinnamon variety. This was considered a food court gem, but it has since been phased out as well. We like the thought of getting warm pretzels at Costco… Do you think they’ll reintroduce them?
Warm Pretzels
Kirkland American Cheese
Why did Costco pull the Kirkland American Cheese brand? The answer is that the variety had fallen out of popularity in the years that led up to its discontinuation. Third-party alternatives remain available at any store. This is not as bad as the others for that very reason. We could always do with more cheese!
Kirkland American Cheese
1/2 Sheet Cakes
In case you did not know, Costco used to sell ½ Sheet Cakes. As a matter of fact, they were considered iconic. It was the perfect addition at any birthday party, BBQ, and other kinds of gathering. This was enough to feed more than 50 people. Isn’t it sad that it took a hit because of the pandemic?
1/2 Sheet Cakes
Kirkland Turkey Burgers
As you might have noticed by now, some people are so bummed out by the discontinuation of certain products that they take to change.org in the hopes that Costco will bring them back. The Kirkland Turkey Burger is another item that fits that description. We are sad to say that this petition did not work either.
Kirkland Turkey Burgers
Non-Cage Free Eggs
Costco decided to bid adieu to non-cage free eggs due to animal welfare concerns. Yes, this is the reason the warehouse store chain instead transitioned to cage-free organic eggs. The company started doing this during the last part of the 2010s. It is great to hear that they have totally accomplished this by 2020.
Non Cage Free Eggs
Polish Hot Dog
In the Northeast, the Polish Hot Dog was another staple on the food court menus. It was also a hit in the Midwest! We are miffed that we can’t have any more of it as it has since been pulled. Fans had been so outraged by the news that Costco had to issue a statement about it on the website. It said, “In order to simplify our menu and make room for healthier options, we have decided to offer only the all-beef Hot Dog. Sales show this is what the majority of members prefer. Though we understand many members loved the Polish Dog, we hope you enjoy our new offerings.”
Polish Hot Dog
Although these products are gone, it doesn’t mean that their other products that we know and love are also gone! A lot of us love heading to Costco as we can easily find whatever product we want for a cheap price. However, that doesn’t mean that all of them are good! After all, the saying “you get what you pay for” applies to everything. This is why we’re here to show you a list of products that you should either buy or not buy in Costco.
Buy- Frozen Fruits
One of Costco’s biggest sales can help you save a lot of money. The best part is that there are no expiration dates, so you may get as much as you want and store it anyway you want. They not only have a large range of fruits, but they also have a variety of veggies.
Buy- Frozen Fruits
Don’t Buy- Fresh Fruits And Veggies
While it may be tough, we strongly encourage you to avoid purchasing fresh fruits from Costco. In actuality, you may not be able to eat these large tubs of butter balls before they go rancid in some circumstances. Purchasing food on the same day that it is available at a local store ensures a greater level of quality and variety.
Don’t Buy- Fresh Fruits And Veggies
Don’t Buy- Spices
Spices lose their flavor if left sitting for too long; therefore, buying smaller packets is a better option. Spices from Costco come in large quantities, making them ideal for large gatherings or for use in Italian and Indian restaurants.
Don’t Buy- Spices
Buy- Vanilla
Spices might lose their flavor with time, although vanilla does not. Costco’s large bottle of vanilla extract is a great buy that will last a long time. Vanilla is still a good option to have on hand, and it’s ideal for a last-minute bake-off or breakfast.
Buy- Vanilla
Don’t Buy- Tissues
It’s inconvenient to blow your nose in a tissue, especially if you’re sick and need to blow your nose frequently. That is why it is critical to use high-quality tissues. Even if you’re overjoyed to have those Kirkland wipes, they won’t help you with your runny or puffy nose. On this time, we’ve chosen consistency over quantity.
Don’t Buy- Tissues
Buy- Tires
Customers put their trust in Costco Tires to handle all of their wheel and tire needs. Nonmembers are clamoring to get in on the new sales because they are available at a reduced price. These are undeniably high-quality tires.
Buy- Tires
Don’t Buy- Soda
Although purchasing your beverages and food at the same time may be more convenient, we recommend purchasing your soda and soft drinks elsewhere. Keep your eyes peeled for the show stickers, and keep your eyes peeled for the discounted drinks.
Don’t Buy- Soda
Don’t Buy- Diapers
There’s no denying that babies are expensive. That is something that any parent should be able to attest to. Diapers are enough costly to put you in debt. If you’re tempted to buy them in bulk, remember that you’ll use them up eventually. Amazon is the most cost-effective site to buy diapers. Prime is an even better option, as it includes free shipping!
Don’t Buy- Diapers
Buy- Breakfast Cereal
Is there anyone who isn’t a fan of cereal? Costco is well-known for being a wonderful place to buy cereal, and they carry all of the big brands, like Kellogg’s, Post, and others, at reasonable pricing. It’s also worth noting that cereal can last a long time before becoming stale.
Buy- Breakfast Cereal
Buy- Plastic Wrap
Using your Costco membership to purchase Kirkland and Vitawrap plastic labels and accessories is a great idea. These materials can be stored for years and in large quantities. These things are available every day and in a variety of scenarios, and they are the most affordable at Costco.
Buy- Plastic Wrap
Don’t Buy- Shampoo Or Soap
The availability of liquid soaps and dish soaps is clear, much like the marketing of cola and shampoos. We don’t have a supermarket where we can provide things at a fixed price regardless of quality or quantity, thus our savings would be lower, but we don’t mind purchasing at Costco.
Don’t Buy- Shampoo Or Soap
Buy- Oatmeal
It’s fantastic to get a good deal at Costco on a 60-pack of mix n’ match oats. The following discount deal will appeal to practically everyone: when you shop online, you will save almost $10, but not at the grocery store. That’s all you have to do now: make sure you have adequate storage space for everything you want to keep.
Buy- Oatmeal
Buy- Healthy Bite-Sized Snacks
In search for healthier options, I’ve discovered that Costco only has a limited selection, if any at all. This healthful treat comes at a cheap price, making it accessible to everyone. Many people believe Costco is famous for its $12 Aussie nibbles, which come in a box of 32.
Buy- Healthy Bite-Sized Snacks
Buy- Cashews
Nuts are an expensive commodity in every region. Purchasing them in bulk, on the other hand, could be a wise strategy to save money in the near future. Costco does a fantastic job of keeping meals hot with its resealable covers.
Buy- Cashews
Don’t Buy- Condiments
Non-perishable condiments like Ketchup, Mustard, and Mayonnaise are ideal because they keep for a long time in the refrigerator. Just remember to return them to the fridge as soon as you open them to keep them chilled and safe.
Don’t Buy- Condiments
Don’t Buy- Salsa
As can be seen, Costco sells everything in large quantities, even this party-size salsa. The vast quantity makes it great for a large party, but it spoils rapidly, so choose a smaller bottle if you aren’t catering or serving a large group.
Don’t Buy- Salsa
Buy- Snacks
These are fantastic for a quick snack or reheating a pre-made meal. Costco has everything you need for a ready-to-eat meal, including spicy, overly sweet, and other selections. Costco is perfect for genuine snackers, as it ensures that you will never run out of snacks.
Buy- Snacks
Buy- Vitamins
We all squander a lot of money on medicines and supplements, but we’re willing to bet you didn’t realize you could purchase the exact same item under a different name. Kirkland supplements are sold in larger quantities and at a lesser price.
Buy- Vitamins
Buy- Batteries
Despite the fact that batteries are required for a variety of useful things, this energy source can be quite costly. When you’re in Costco, pick up some Duracell batteries. They’re plentiful, and we all know how powerful Duracell batteries are.
Buy- Batteries
Buy- Milk
When it comes to price, every case of this milk in every bottle from Costco has shown to be unbeatable. As long as you can drink the entire gallon before it spoils, Kirkland’s is a good choice.
Buy- Milk