The famous retailer has decided to stop selling a much-loved ingredient, causing discontent among Costco fans and chocolate lovers alike.
A few days ago, a user on Reddit shared that Kirkland Signature brand chocolate chips were replaced in their local store by Nestlé products. “They have completely replaced chocolate chips with Nestle,” user wrote on the r/Costco sub-Reddit. The post quickly went viral, racking up more than 500 reactions and 160 comments.
Kirkland chocolate chips are currently not available on the Costco website, although they can be found on the Costco Business Center page.
In another Reddit post, a user shared an email from Costco explaining the reason behind the discontinuation and their “long-term hope to offer the product again.” “Unfortunately, we have decided to discontinue KS chocolate chips,” the email began, explaining that the decision was made “due to rising cocoa costs.”
The email also detailed that the price of cocoa had increased almost 200% compared to the previous year. “This was a decision we considered very carefully, but the reality is that the costs presented by our suppliers made our Kirkland Signature chocolate chips no longer competitive against national brands such as Nestlé, Toll House,” the message said. .
“We will likely be without KS Sparks for at least 12 months, but our long-term plan is to offer the item again in the future,” Costco added.
Costco angered its customers with its decision
Fans of the product are quite upset about the change; one of them stated that the product is “the best chocolate chips ever.” Another customer commented: “It’s my only option! There is nothing comparable and I tried to find something as good when they stopped making them a few years ago.” One user expressed their disappointment by writing: “Whaaaat! I just bought them for the first time and I love them!”
Another customer added: “It’s a big disappointment, for sure. “It is not gone forever, but it is superior to Nestlé in every way.” Another user noted that the Kirkland brand was the only one that met their dietary restrictions: “I liked the Kirkland because it had certified kosher parve. I have a friend who is allergic to dairy proteins and these were dairy free. Plus, they were coconut-free, which is my weird allergy.” One user humorously commented: “I bought three Kirkland brand bags a few weeks before they switched to the dreaded Nestle. Hopefully they’ll last me two years lol.”
All Is Not Lost: Other Costco Products Worth Trying
Costco also carries other Kirkland products worth trying, like Kirkland Signature Creamy Almond Butter. While almond butter isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, Kirkland’s version is rich, creamy, and also very affordable.
The online price is $0.28 per ounce, but in-store prices are often even more affordable. Another standout product is Kirkland’s chocolate covered almonds, a great option for a less guilty treat. These milk chocolate almonds are something special: they are sweet, but not cloying, although they can be addictive.
Kirkland Signature Sweet and Spicy Snack Mix is another interesting option. It combines barbecue almonds, seasoned cashews, honey roasted sesame sticks, glazed pecans and corn nuggets, making it a perfect snack for a hot day. It has just the right touch of spice, without being overpowering.
The Costco’s policy is also bothering its employees
In another vein, Costco employees have reported feeling “intimidated” by the store’s new policy. Costco shoppers have been quick to express their displeasure with the warehouse’s new membership card policy.
The rule, which began to be implemented in some stores in January and has now been extended nationwide, requires mandatory scanning of the membership card to gain entry. Although the policy has been frustrating for some customers, it appears to have also generated discontent among Costco workers.
At the very least, they don’t like how some customers are reacting to the new norm. A Costco employee recently vented on Reddit about the card scanning policy.
She also shared worrying details about the “abuse and mistreatment” workers have suffered at the hands of angry customers who now have to scan their cards. According to the Redditor, some employees in charge of scanning cards “have ended up in tears” due to abusive behavior from customers. “Some of you are angry.
Now, imagine being the low-level employee at the door tasked with enforcing those policies. Imagine the abuse you, the public, have subjected them to. “They insult them, they approach them in a threatening manner, they insult them, they threaten them, they attack them, they spit on them, they complain to them,” he wrote in the publication.
“That smiling face on the door is a low-level employee just trying to do their job. They don’t set policy. They have no influence,” the worker continued. “Still, they are abused and mistreated by the general public every day. I’ve seen co-workers in tears because a member decided it was okay to take out their frustration on a woman standing in front of a scanner. We’re just doing our jobs, people. Stop being like that.” In the comments section, users apologized for the rude behavior of other shoppers. Many people suggested that such behavior at card scanning stations should be grounds for a membership ban.
Several users also mentioned that customers’ frustration with having to scan their cards could be due to long lines at the warehouse. “People are impatient. They don’t want to wait in line to swipe their membership card, especially on busy days. There’s a long line to get in, a longer line at the checkout, and an even longer line to leave Costco,” said one Reddit user. Another commented that “the idea that the customer is always right has created an entire culture of customers who believe they are entitled to everything.”