COFF UP
‘I will not get again’ Costco shopper says after customers spot label change dropping brand from hugely popular product
The label switch is not only changing the taste of the product, according to shoppers
COSTCO shoppers have been left reeling after spotting a change on the packaging of their favorite caffeine fix.
The retailer's popular house Kirkland Signature offers members high-quality products for lower prices.
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Kirkland products range from groceries and clothing to outdoor and kitchen equipment.
However, the brand which generated $56 billion for Costco in the previous financial year, appears to have dropped its collaboration with Starbucks.
Earlier this year, eagle-eyed Costco members noticed a packaging change to the Kirkland House Blend Coffee which is seeing some boycott the item altogether.
"New packaging for the House Blend Beans," a Costco shopper wrote on the Reddit thread r/Costco.
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"Nowhere on the new package does it reference being roasted by Starbucks."
The shopper asked if the taste was the same as they still had to finish off the last bag of the Starbucks and Kirkland collaboration that they "grabbed on the off chance it changed."
The Redditor shared a picture of the old and the new house blend items side by side showing off the difference in packaging.
The Starbucks medium road blend featured the iconic green and gold packaging associated with the coffee giant as well as the logo at the bottom reading, "Custom Roasting by Starbucks."
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Meanwhile, the new packaging is green and white with all affiliations to Starbucks removed.
Instead, it reads "Whole Bean Coffee House Blend" with just the Kirkland logo.
‘Next step is implanting a microchip,’ fumes Costco shopper as store installs new tool to halt membership sharing
While no official comment has been made by Starbucks or Costco about the rumored end of their contract, customers have been quick to comment on the change.
"I finally tried my new bag. It's really sad. Need to find a new option I will not get again," the Redditor said.
"Same here. The new Kirkland medium roast is not good at all," another added.
"I don't know what I'll do now," a third wrote.
However, other members are celebrating the alleged end of the collaboration due to the impact it has had on price with some saying the taste is "basically the same."
Costco membership sharing guidelines
Costco has strict rules for membership use that shoppers must follow and they've been cracking down on offenders in recent years.
- Primary Member Use: Only the primary cardholder can use this Costco membership card. Sharing it for purchases is not allowed as the photo on the card must match the person using it.
- Household Card: Each primary member can add one free household cardholder who lives at the same address. This person will receive their own membership card and can shop at Costco independently.
- Guest Policy: Members can bring up to two guests per visit to Costco. However, only the member can make purchases. Guests must be accompanied by the member.
- Authorized Cardholder: For an additional fee, you can add an authorized cardholder, such as a family member or friend, who doesn't reside at your address. They will receive their own card and can shop independently.
Credit: Costco
"Just bought a new bag, it’s considerably cheaper than when it had the Starbucks name on it," one shopper said on another thread.
"I believe it’s $11.99 for the 2.5 pound bag and if I remember right I was paying $14 or $15.99 with the Starbucks name on it."
True Starbucks fans can still get the brand's French Roast Coffee and K-Cups at the wholesale retailer.
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The U.S. Sun has reached out to Costco and Starbucks for comment.
Meanwhile, another Costco product will no longer be available all year round which shoppers are not happy about.
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