COSTCO has added to its lineup of decadent bakery goods, rolling out a new dessert item for $7.99.
As shoppers race to get their hands on the new Brown Butter Sugar Cookies, fans of the warehouse club have noticed that the sweet treat has two questionable symbols on its packaging.
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One of the fan-favorite areas of Costco is its bakery section, stocked with tons of desserts for sweet tooths to choose from – from muffins and scones to pastries and cookies.
The warehouse chain has officially rolled out its new Brown Butter Sugar Cookies, which shoppers are already raving over online.
“Soft, chewy, and perfectly sweet – they’re even better warmed up!” praised a Costco fan page on Instagram.
Although the cookies themselves sound delicious, the packaging features two eye-raising symbols.
The sticker label indicates that the new bakery treat comes with 21 cookies rather than the typical two dozen.
Shoppers have taken notice of the subtle shrinking of Costco’s baked goods, with one even calling out the store in the post’s comment section.
“Costco bakery items are no longer worth it,” they fumed “First the size of the muffins change now the frosting on the cinnamon rolls do too!”
The shift away from the normal 24-count of cookies raises eyebrows about shrinkflation, the practice of decreasing the amount or size of a product while holding the price steady.
It’s not the first time fans of the retail giant have spotted shifty practices with Costco’s sweets.
For example, shoppers were complaining about smaller slices of the chain’s “jumbo” peppermint bark during the holiday season last year.
Costco’s butter croissants also prompted backlash after they abruptly spiked in price.
Shrinkflation, however, may not be to blame for the three missing cookies in the Brown Butter Sugar Cookies package – the new cookies are in fact cheaper than Costco’s 24-count cookies.
Priced at $7.99, the new treats cost roughly $3 to $4 less than the chain’s other cookie varieties.
Thus, Costco members are paying less and in turn receiving less.
Membership and store cards on offer from major retailers
Here is a breakdown of the store cards on offer to customers from various retailers and their benefits
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Costco:
- Gold Star Membership: $65 per year, shop all Costco stores and online with two additional cards for your household.
- Executive Membership: $130 per year, annual 2% reward, additional discounts and benefits on Costco services, shop online and in-store, and get two additional cards for household use.
- Sign up for a Costco Membership here
Sam’s Club:
- Club Membership: $50 per year, bonus offers, same-day delivery, instant savings, Sam’s Club Mastercard, members-only fuel savings, tire and battery center, complimentary membership, and add-on memberships.
- Plus Membership: $110 per year, all benefits of Club membership plus Sam’s Cash, free shipping, free curbside pickup, early shopping, and pharmacy and optical savings.
- Sign up for Sam’s Club Membership here
Target:
- Target Circle: A free-to-join reward program allowing users to earn 1% in Target Circle earnings rewards when an eligible purchase is made, access deals and personalized offers, get a birthday gift, and earn a vote to help direct how Target helps out your community.
- Target Circle Card: A credit, debit, or reloadable account card that gives users 5% off in-store and online as well as exclusive offers, free two-day shipping, and an additional 30-day returns window. Formerly Target RedCard.
- Sign up for Target Circle here
Walmart:
- Walmart+: $12.95 per month or $98 per year with a free 30-day trial. Offers members free delivery, free shipping with no minimum spend, fuel savings, Paramount+ subscription, auto car, Walmart+ travel, returns from home, mobile scan and go in-store, and early access to deals and product releases.
- Sign up for Walmart+ here
ON THE RISE
Costco shoppers have felt the impacts of shrinkflation outside of the chain’s bakery section.
A Reddit member asked fellow members what shrinkflation items they have begun to notice at Costco in a thread from last year, pointing out that the Colgate 4-pack of toothpaste had reduced in size and was “very noticeable.”
Costco shoppers cited a ton of examples, from frozen blueberries and sugar to body wash and moisturizer.
One member noted that the toilet paper was a victim of shrinkflation, with the rolls dropping from 425 sheets to 380 sheets.
Some flavors of Costco’s packaged soups have also taken a hit, now coming in 24-ounce containers rather than the typical 32-ounce containers.
“I work in the bakery at a Costco and I’ve noticed the croissants are getting smaller, we get them shipped in from a factory in Canada frozen and rolled up etc but they are almost half the size that they used to be,” shared one employee.
The practice of shrinkflation may just worsen as retailers and consumers grapple with the threat of tariffs on foreign goods.
Shoppers are already stocking up on five grocery items before prices skyrocket from tariffs.
Plus, Americans are being told to rush for certain items quickly before Trump’s tariffs kick in.
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