One great Costco hack many shoppers don't know is that price tags are coded to communicate how long shoppers can expect to find a given item in the store.
Price tags that end in .97, .00, or .88 indicate the clock is ticking. As for price tags with an asterisk, load up your cart while you can; it's officially the last call, and you may wish you stocked up before these products disappeared indefinitely.
Read on for some of the most recent fan favorites that have vanished from Costco's shelves.
Pots Fudge Lava Cake
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Considering that one of the best times to shop at Costco is an hour before closing, Pots Fudge Lava Cake is the perfect impulse buy for a late-night snack.
Or, at least, it was before the dreaded asterisk appeared on the tag, and Costco shoppers had to say goodbye to the delectable chocolate treat.
If you're ever in the U.K., the lucky Costco shoppers can still buy Pots Fudge Lava Cake in that location.
Shopping pro tip: This month's best deals
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April brings not just warmer weather and sunnier days, but also excellent shopping opportunities. With Easter happening on April 20, retailers will offer significant discounts on seasonal items at the end of the month, while also preparing for graduations, weddings, and spring cleaning season.
Here are some of the best deals to watch out for:
- Cookware sets on sale for graduation and wedding season
- Winter clearance items like coats and sweaters at end-of-season prices
- Spring cleaning supplies with potential BOGO offers at stores like Target
- Air conditioners before peak summer demand drives prices higher
- Lawn care equipment as homeowners prepare for the growing season
- Post-Easter candy and ham at deeply discounted prices once the holiday has passed
- For grocery savings, consider seasonal produce like asparagus, broccoli, and spinach, which will be at their freshest and most affordable.
Remember that retailers are always thinking a season ahead. They're already preparing to get rid of spring merchandise while you're just getting ready to enjoy it. This makes April a great time to find budget-boosting deals of all kinds and save money at your favorite retailers.
Kirkland Signature 100% Mediterranean Blend Oil
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This Kirkland signature product, a combination of olive, grape, and canola oil, was perfect for frying, baking, and mixing in a salad.
While this fan favorite has officially been discontinued, Costco still offers some of the best deals on olive oil around.
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Brookside Dark Chocolate Strawberry and Passion Fruit
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When the beloved 2-pound bag disappeared from stores, many Costco shoppers had to find a new favorite snack.
But this discontinuation isn't on Costco; you can't find the dark chocolate strawberry and passion fruit flavor on the Brookside Dark Chocolate website either.
Primal Kitchen Buffalo Sauce
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This paleo and keto-friendly vegan goodness arrived on Costco shelves just long enough for it to become a fan favorite.
While you can't find this sauce at Costco anymore, hot sauce lovers can still buy a gallon of Frank's RedHot sauce, which is also dairy and gluten-free.
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Kirkland Signature Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
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When this easy treat vanished from Costco, many shoppers were disappointed since it was a great way to save on essentials. But the good news is that Costco still carries other great baking essentials.
And who knows? Maybe someday they'll bring the chocolate chips back.
MacFarms Salted Caramel Milk Chocolate Macadamias
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Costco discontinued this delightful Hawaiian snack at the same time they discontinued a wide range of Hawaiian fare.
Since there are theories that the original increase in Hawaiian inventory in 2020 was due to the pandemic temporarily slowing travel to the islands, it makes sense that once the world opened back up, there was less of a need for Costco to bring Hawaii to the mainland.
Quick tips: How to save on your grocery bill
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Grocery shopping doesn't have to break the bank when you use the right strategies. Here are some of our favorite tips for reducing food expenses that we personally put to use:
- Plan your meals around what's already in your pantry, then create a shopping list to prevent impulse purchases.
- Buy store brands instead of name brands whenever possible.
- Always make sure to compare unit prices, not just sticker prices.
- Stock up on staples when on sale, but don’t ever buy just because something comes in bulk.
- Shop the marked-down section for near-expiration bargains
- Join your store's loyalty program so you don’t miss out on member discounts.
Even though something like choosing coupons in your grocery store app can feel like an annoying task to handle every week, the savings can really add up. Double check in case your store also offers perks like gas rewards or any other discounts you might be able to take advantage of outside the grocery store.
Pulmuone Potstickers
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This easy freezer meal hit shoppers hard after it disappeared from the freezer aisle. Luckily, Costco stocks a variety of other flavorful meals that can help replace the item, but many claim they miss this unique dish.
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Bottom line
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When go-to favorites disappear from the shelves of your favorite store, it's never easy. You might miss a product because it was a great deal that helped you save money on groceries or simply miss it because it was unique and delicious.
While saying goodbye to the items on this list might be hard, we have every reason to believe they'll be swiftly replaced by new favorites. So try and keep your heart and your shopping cart open to the possibilities.
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