These 6 Costco Items Have Gone Up In Price Recently
With costs shooting up for industries across the board, it is no surprise many grocery stores have succumbed to inflation. After all, the pressure to increase rates has been building for a while, due to ongoing issues within supply chains. However, it seems like, for the most part, Costco has been holding down its prices in the face of this year's record-breaking inflation.
Unfortunately, it's not realistic to expect that consumers can be forever shielded from the high costs of production, transport, raw materials, and labor. Some Costco shoppers are noticing that their receipts have been climbing higher than usual – and not because they're stockpiling more than before. Loyal Kirkland customers found six Costco items that aren't as affordable as they once were, meaning that many of these popular products are going to run you a few dollars more than you expected.
Kirkland Signature Croissant Pack
Members may have picked up this classic bakery item countless times over the years. This well-loved 12-pack of flaky pastries had a lot of Costco fans raving about how amazing they taste after a few kitchen hacks.
But while they used to cost $4.99, the croissants are now a dollar more at $5.99, which hikes the price up by a whopping 20%. Could it be due to the wheat and dairy shortages? It's tough to say for sure but seems likely that the inflated cost of ingredients would have an effect on the end product. Either way, if this is a household staple for you, you'll probably still buy it – it just won't be as good of a deal.
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Kirkland Signature Bacon
This price hike has been in the works since early 2021, after factors such as high demand, inflation, and swine flu caused pork to be in short supply. While Costco intended to fend off the price increases, it finally happened. Customers posting on Reddit noticed that the Kirkland bacon saw a hefty price hike as of late.
Just how much was the cost of bacon raised? It's not cut and dry, but according to a review by Insider, the thick-sliced variety was $10.99 for three pounds back in May 2021. One Costco location is currently listing it for $17.99 – an alarming change from a year ago, raising the price by over 60%.
In addition to the cost increase, u/Whynotmekay on Reddit even alleged, "The bacon price went up but quality went down." With the current supply chain issues, it might be better to wait for things to settle before you pay a premium for what may now be a mediocre product.
Kirkland Signature Muffins
The buttery croissants aren't the only bakery item becoming more expensive. The Kirkland muffins also fell victim to the dollar increase. A box of a dozen muffins is now marked at $8.99, according to a Reddit post. It's not going to break the bank, but if this is a regular purchase for you, it's bound to add up.
Just Bare Chicken Nuggets
This food became a TikTok sensation when a mom and her daughter discovered that the Just Bare Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks were a copycat of the fan-favorite Chik-Fil-A nuggets. (And it's true – we even tried it for ourselves.)
The social media nuggets made their way in and out of the Kirkland frozen section for months, due to insatiable demand. People would arrive early on the day it was stocked just to get their hands on them. They were perfect for snacking on or adding to a meal. With four pounds of chicken for only a little over $13, they were also a steal.
But its popularity may take a hit. Now that chicken prices have surged due to demand and lowered supply from an outbreak of bird flu in the U.S., Just Bare seems to be caught in the crossfire, with a $6 increase per bag.
Costco shoppers on Reddit shared their woes about the extra cost, acknowledging the effect of inflation on the highly-sought item. Some, like user/Costco member u/Infinitexz, are ready to abandon the product altogether because of the new price point: "I haven't gone to Costco in about a month and if they're $20, I'm unfortunately going to stop buying them. They're good but they're not $20 good."
On the other hand, if you're willing to shell out the additional cash to try it, you might have a better shot now of finding the nuggets in stock.
Wagyu New York Steaks
For those who like balling on a budget, this price spike will be tough to roll with. Instagram account @costcoorganic saw the Japanese A5 Grade Wagyu New York Steaks climb by 20%, at $119.99 per pound. Costco members used to enjoy the delicacy for a steep discount, at $100 per pound.
According to the blog Costcontessa, the steak was worth the splurge. "The Japanese Costco Wagyu Beef Grade A5 New York and Ribeye Steaks are real, authentic Grade A5 Japanese Wagyu imported from Japan. You can see the difference, and we think you will taste the difference," the blogger wrote.
Business Insider explained what makes wagyu steak a cut above the rest: "The term wagyu literally translates to Japanese cow…bred for physical endurance, giving them more intramuscular fat cells. The fat is distributed more evenly throughout their muscle, which is why wagyu beef looks pink and tastes so tender."
Truth be told, the regular price point can reach as high as $200 per pound – so Costco's might still be a good buy if you're dying to experience a bite of the marbled, buttery meat.
Kirkland Bottled Water
The disposable plastic bottle is neither an environmentally friendly water receptacle nor particularly healthy for you. But in areas where the tap is too contaminated to safely drink, bottled water can be a necessity. It's also good to have on hand in case of an emergency. Unfortunately, this, too, saw a price shock at Costco recently.
Redditors were dismayed at the shocking increase in the Kirkland 40-pack of bottled water. According to user u/ooziemummy, the package went from $1.89 last year to over $4.00 today. This could be due to low supply of available plastics, but whatever the reason, it may be tough to justify paying over double if you can find a clean alternative for everyday use.
While these are more expensive, another item is facing a low supply. Costco, Walmart, and Other Stores Still Have a Purchase Limit on This Disappearing Item.
