Latest news with #Kirkland-brand
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
I tracked where every item was from during my Costco trip and saw just how much the US relies on global trade
During my monthly Costco shopping trip, I kept track of where every item I purchased was from. Most produce was imported from Mexico and Central America, which have been hit with steep tariffs. Trump implemented a 90-day pause on the "reciprocal" tariffs announced in April. President Donald Trump's trade war has made shoppers, including me, pay closer attention to what they buy and where it's from. Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs on over 180 countries are expected to raise consumer prices on cars, electronics, and groceries. Some customers have begun following Mark Cuban's advice and stocking up on essentials before some tariffs take effect following a 90-day pause. On my latest Costco shopping trip, I tracked where every item I bought was from to see how much of my grocery list could be affected by tariffs. Take a look at my monthly Costco restock. I shop at Costco in New York City about once a month to stock up on groceries and household items. Manhattan's only Costco store is inside a larger shopping complex in East Harlem. The first thing I put in my cart was mini fruit bars from That's It, which are produced in the US with both American and imported ingredients. While the bars are made in the US, according to the company's website That's It sources ingredients from the US as well as countries with "reciprocal" tariffs, including Peru (10%), Mexico (25%), the Philippines (17%), India (26%), Belgium (20%), Madagascar (47%), and Canada (25%). The variety pack of 24 fruit bars costs $13.99. The KIND bars I bought also combined domestic and imported products. The box said the bars were made in the USA "with domestic and imported ingredients," while KIND's website says all KIND products are manufactured in Austria and Great Britain. KIND did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Austria is subject to the 20% tariff as it is part of the European Union, while the United Kingdom receives a 10% tariff. A box of 22 KIND bars costs $20. Kirkland's organic roasted seaweed snack was imported from South Korea, which Trump imposed a 25% tariff on. I like crushing seaweed in salmon bowls or just eating it as a snack. A package of 10 boxes of seaweed costs $10.99. Passion orange guava juice, also known as "POG," was produced in the US. I often use a splash of POG to flavor seltzer and smoothies. I bought two bottles, which cost $11.98. Costco's Kirkland-brand lemonade didn't say where it was produced, but Costco's US branch distributes it. Costco uses different suppliers for its various house-brand Kirkland Signature products. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding sourcing its lemonade. Two 3-quart bottles were priced at $6.29. Barilla's packaging said their pasta was "made in the USA with USA and imported ingredients." The pasta variety pack, which contained farfalle, elbow macaroni, and rotini for easy weeknight dinners, was priced at $9.49. Barilla didn't respond to a request for comment on where it imports its ingredients from. Nature's Path organic granola, which I like to mix into yogurt, was labeled "Product of the USA." "Nature's Path does not currently purchase any products internationally that would require 'product of…' labeling," Nature's Path wrote on their website. A 35.3-ounce bag of pumpkin seed and flax granola retailed for $8.99. This tomato medley was grown in Mexico and distributed by a Canadian company. Before his "Liberation Day" announcement, Trump had already imposed a 25% tariff on both countries. Mexico and Canada were not included in Trump's April list of "reciprocal" tariffs because he'd already announced a 25% tariff on all Mexican and Canadian goods that aren't compliant with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The 2-pound package of tomatoes retailed for $7.99. Individual packets of mashed avocado were imported from Mexico. The package of 16 individual avocado cups costs $12.99. I most often use them to make avocado toast. The raspberries I added to my cart were another product of Mexico. The 12-ounce container retailed for $5.99. My favorite mini cucumbers were from Canada, which, like Mexico, had previously received a 25% tariff. The snack-sized cucumbers from Mucci Farms cost $5.99 for a 1.5-pound bag. The purple grapes Costco had in stock were from Chile, where Trump imposed a 10% tariff. Three pounds of purple grapes were priced at $7.49. Costco's bananas were imported from Ecuador, which was also hit with a 10% tariff. I bought two bunches, which totaled $3.98. The Kirkland organic frozen broccoli I bought came from Ecuador, as well. This pack of four microwavable 1-pound bags of frozen broccoli, priced at $9.49, makes it easy to prepare a side of vegetables for any meal quickly. I picked up a pineapple from Costa Rica, which was levied with a 10% tariff. The pineapple cost $3.99. Baby carrots were among the few produce items I added to my cart, grown in the US. The organic baby carrots came in two 32-ounce bags and cost $6.99. My go-to Pink Lady apples were grown in the US, as well. The 4-pound bag cost $6.49. A twin pack of Stroehmann Dutch Country whole wheat bread was baked in the US. Stroehmann is a subsidiary of Bimbo Bakeries USA, the largest commercial baking company in the US that also owns Sara Lee, Little Bites, and Entenmann's, among other brands. Two 24-ounce loaves cost $5.49. Nasoya tofu said it was made in the US with "100% North American soybeans," which could mean they're sourced from other North American countries. Nasoya did not immediately respond to an inquiry regarding sourcing its soybeans. I use extra-firm tofu as a meatless protein in numerous recipes in my rotation. Four packages of tofu came in a box and sold for $6.79. Costco's house brand of two-dozen cage-free large eggs was from the US. When I shopped at Costco in February, I had to rush to grab the last carton of eggs due to supply-chain issues amid the avian flu epidemic. Thankfully, the refrigerated section was stocked with an ample supply of eggs this time. The carton I bought cost $7.69. Lactaid lactose-free milk was American-made. I prefer buying lactose-free milk because it doesn't spoil as quickly. A gallon of Lactaid 2% milk costs $5.59. The only non-food items I bought were American-made Kleenex tissues and a bouquet grown in Colombia, subject to a 10% tariff. The tissues cost $21.49, and the flower bouquet costs $17.99. Out of the 23 items I purchased, at least 12 were imported or contained imported ingredients. I spent $218.28 on about a month's worth of groceries. Roughly half of my cart was full of items from countries subject to the new "reciprocal" tariffs, which shows me how far-reaching Trump's trade policies are and how much my grocery bill may increase. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
29-04-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
I tracked where every item was from during my Costco trip and saw just how much the US relies on global trade
During my monthly Costco shopping trip, I kept track of where every item I purchased was from. Most produce was imported from Mexico and Central America, which have been hit with steep tariffs. Trump implemented a 90-day pause on the "reciprocal" tariffs announced in April. President Donald Trump's trade war has made shoppers, including me, pay closer attention to what they buy and where it's from. Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs on over 180 countries are expected to raise consumer prices on cars, electronics, and groceries. Some customers have begun following Mark Cuban's advice and stocking up on essentials before some tariffs take effect following a 90-day pause. On my latest Costco shopping trip, I tracked where every item I bought was from to see how much of my grocery list could be affected by tariffs. Take a look at my monthly Costco restock. I shop at Costco in New York City about once a month to stock up on groceries and household items. The first thing I put in my cart was mini fruit bars from That's It, which are produced in the US with both American and imported ingredients. While the bars are made in the US, according to the company's website That's It sources ingredients from the US as well as countries with "reciprocal" tariffs, including Peru (10%), Mexico (25%), the Philippines (17%), India (26%), Belgium (20%), Madagascar (47%), and Canada (25%). The KIND bars I bought also combined domestic and imported products. The box said the bars were made in the USA "with domestic and imported ingredients," while KIND's website says all KIND products are manufactured in Austria and Great Britain. KIND did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Austria is subject to the 20% tariff as it is part of the European Union, while the United Kingdom receives a 10% tariff. A box of 22 KIND bars costs $20. Kirkland's organic roasted seaweed snack was imported from South Korea, which Trump imposed a 25% tariff on. Passion orange guava juice, also known as "POG," was produced in the US. Costco's Kirkland-brand lemonade didn't say where it was produced, but Costco's US branch distributes it. Barilla's packaging said their pasta was "made in the USA with USA and imported ingredients." The pasta variety pack, which contained farfalle, elbow macaroni, and rotini for easy weeknight dinners, was priced at $9.49. Nature's Path organic granola, which I like to mix into yogurt, was labeled "Product of the USA." "Nature's Path does not currently purchase any products internationally that would require 'product of…' labeling," Nature's Path wrote on their website. A 35.3-ounce bag of pumpkin seed and flax granola retailed for $8.99. This tomato medley was grown in Mexico and distributed by a Canadian company. Before his "Liberation Day" announcement, Trump had already imposed a 25% tariff on both countries. Mexico and Canada were not included in Trump's April list of "reciprocal" tariffs because he'd already announced a 25% tariff on all Mexican and Canadian goods that aren't compliant with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The 2-pound package of tomatoes retailed for $7.99. Individual packets of mashed avocado were imported from Mexico. The package of 16 individual avocado cups costs $12.99. I most often use them to make avocado toast. The raspberries I added to my cart were another product of Mexico. The 12-ounce container retailed for $5.99. My favorite mini cucumbers were from Canada, which, like Mexico, had previously received a 25% tariff. The purple grapes Costco had in stock were from Chile, where Trump imposed a 10% tariff. Three pounds of purple grapes were priced at $7.49. Costco's bananas were imported from Ecuador, which was also hit with a 10% tariff. The Kirkland organic frozen broccoli I bought came from Ecuador, as well. This pack of four microwavable 1-pound bags of frozen broccoli, priced at $9.49, makes it easy to prepare a side of vegetables for any meal quickly. I picked up a pineapple from Costa Rica, which was levied with a 10% tariff. Baby carrots were among the few produce items I added to my cart, grown in the US. The organic baby carrots came in two 32-ounce bags and cost $6.99. My go-to Pink Lady apples were grown in the US, as well. A twin pack of Stroehmann Dutch Country whole wheat bread was baked in the US. Stroehmann is a subsidiary of Bimbo Bakeries USA, the largest commercial baking company in the US that also owns Sara Lee, Little Bites, and Entenmann's, among other brands. Two 24-ounce loaves cost $5.49. Nasoya tofu said it was made in the US with "100% North American soybeans," which could mean they're sourced from other North American countries. Nasoya did not immediately respond to an inquiry regarding sourcing its soybeans. I use extra-firm tofu as a meatless protein in numerous recipes in my rotation. Four packages of tofu came in a box and sold for $6.79. Costco's house brand of two-dozen cage-free large eggs was from the US. When I shopped at Costco in February, I had to rush to grab the last carton of eggs due to supply-chain issues amid the avian flu epidemic. Thankfully, the refrigerated section was stocked with an ample supply of eggs this time. The carton I bought cost $7.69. Lactaid lactose-free milk was American-made. The only non-food items I bought were American-made Kleenex tissues and a bouquet grown in Colombia, subject to a 10% tariff. Out of the 23 items I purchased, at least 12 were imported or contained imported ingredients. I spent $218.28 on about a month's worth of groceries. Roughly half of my cart was full of items from countries subject to the new "reciprocal" tariffs, which shows me how far-reaching Trump's trade policies are and how much my grocery bill may increase.
Daily Mail
25-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Shoppers spot Lululemon item dupe at Costco for $108 off… they even have the same zipper
Shoppers can save $108 on a Lululemon pants dupe at Costco. The Lululemon ABC 5 Pocket Pants are a beloved product which come in various sizes and colors. However, customers have to shell out $128 per pair at the athletic apparel retailer. The next best thing in shoppers' eyes is Costco's Kirkland Signature Men's 5-Pocket Performance Pant. Like the Lululemon bottoms, they come in various sizes and colors and have also received positive reviews from shoppers. Customers can snag one of the Kirkland-brand pants right now for only $20. 'When I held these two pairs of pants and inspected their construction, they looked almost identical,' wrote Alexander Aciman of the New York Times. Aciman managed to find some significant similarities between both pants, including their zippers. A substantial similarity is that both bottoms have a gusseted crotch, a small diamond-shaped patch replacing a traditional one that makes pants more comfortable to wear. Aciman pointed out that it can also help improve range in motion, which is convenient for flights or standing for 12 hours. 'The crotch is a defining feature of Lululemon's pants (ABC stands for Anti–Ball Crushing),' he revealed. 'The previous-generation Kirkland performance pants lacked this feature, and its inclusion in the latest version brings these pants much more in line with the ABC pants.' The shopper found that the Kirkland pants had the same kind of YKK zippers, a reinforced button, and seams sewn with about 11 to 12 stitches per inch. 'On most pants, this flat felled seam results in a flap of fabric inside the leg of the garment,' Aciman explained. 'Lululemon stitches this flap down, presumably for comfort; Kirkland's pants have the same sewn-down flap.' Geometric pattern similarities include watch pockets and a zippered back pocket that's 'too shallow for a regular-size wallet or a passport...,' according to the expert. But Aciman managed to tell the difference between the pants through their fabric. 'Lululemon's Warpstreme fabric is made from 53 percent elastomultiester and 47 percent recycled polyester, and Kirkland's is made from 74 percent polyester and 26 percent elastomultiester,' he said. 'That might sound similar, but the fabric is where Lululemon really sets itself apart.' Aciman admitted that he preferred the Lululemon fabric and claimed his Kirkland pants 'swished like old-school gym shorts.' Kirkland Signature Men's 5-Pocket Performance Pant No need to shell out the big bucks for Lululemon pants when you can pick up a lookalike pair from Costco for a fraction of the price. Beautifully designed to fit like a dream while providing all-day comfort coupled with peak performance, these bottoms are available blue, black, and grey. $15.99 Shop He insisted the Costco bottoms had a great design aesthetic and were comfortable to wear, but they still made him 'feel more like a schlub.' 'As a man who loves Costco, loves a deal, and has made a hobby of hunting down the factories that white-label clothing for designers, every fiber of my being wanted the Kirkland pants to be as good as or better than the Lululemon pants,' he said. 'My inherent skepticism of athleisure brands with flashy reputations left me with a hunger that could be sated only by the thought that a $20 pair of pants was just as good as pants retailing for six times that.' After weighing out the pros and cons, Aciman concluded that the pants were similar but 'definitely not the same.' Customers have been debating which pants are better for months on Reddit. 'Honestly thought the Kirklands were the Lulus at first,' a user wrote on a thread dedicated to the subject. 'Might just be my opinion but one thing I've found with Kirkland is that the cut just doesn't fit as nice and I can see it here too,' another customer wrote. 'It just looks a lot tighter and uncomfortable in the crotch area.' 'Costco definitely an option but I'll stick with my lulu. 'The difference is in the details,' another fan chimed in.
Miami Herald
05-04-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Costco drops key grocery product and members aren't happy
There's a reason Costco has long maintained a loyal customer base despite charging an annual membership fee whose cost is notably higher than rival Sam's Club. Costco prides itself on a superior member experience. It's constantly looking for ways to expand member benefits while keeping both product and membership prices as low as possible. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter In fact, Costco's philosophy is that if it can't offer a given product at a price it's happy with, it simply won't carry it. Related: Costco CFO sounds the alarm on company's biggest challenge It's for this reason that Costco warehouses, despite their mammoth size, only carry about 4,000 SKUs (stock keeping units). By contrast, shoppers might find seven times that number of products at a traditional supermarket. Another reason Costco is able to keep prices so low is that it uses membership fee revenue to offset its costs. The chain can ease up on margins when it's collecting billions per year in fees alone. Bloomberg/Getty Images Because Costco is so committed to keeping prices low, it won't hesitate to remove items from its inventory if the numbers don't work out. As such, it's not unusual for a fan favorite to disappear, sometimes without much warning. Costco's food court has undergone recent changes that have been met with mixed reactions. Last year, the warehouse club giant ditched its famous churros and replaced them with an oversized chocolate chip cookie. Many fans complained not just about the switch, but also, the $2.49 price point. Related: The one way to shop at Costco without a membership card Costco also overhauled its Kirkland Signature muffins last year, swapping its giant mix-and-match six packs for smaller eight packs. Adding insult to injury, the new muffin offerings aren't the same flavors as the old ones. Costco has also done away with its Kirkland-brand chocolate chips -- a change that home bakers have no doubt bemoaned. And seasoned Costco fans may remember the famous Kirkland deluxe American cheese slices -- a product that hasn't graced the shelves in years. One Costco product to recently disappear from shelves is Kirkland Signature soy milk. Consumers seeking dairy alternatives, or those with dairy allergies and intolerances, commonly rely on soy milk as a comparable alternative. One Reddit user decided to contact Costco directly to find out what had happened to their beloved soy milk. At times, items can disappear temporarily due to supplier issues. Related: Costco CFO sounds the alarm on cost increase But Costco responded to that Reddit user and confirmed the worst - it had made the intentional decision to pull the plug on its Kirkland Signature soy milk due to slow sales. The news wasn't all bad, though. The user was informed that Costco is making plans to introduce a branded soy milk as an item rotation throughout the year, and that customers could see it hit the shelves as early as August. Still, Costco fans took to Reddit to express their displeasure. "My husband LOVES this soy milk, and we have been looking for it the last few trips! Very sad," one person commented. Another said, "That's terrible. I am in shambles right now. The price cannot be beat and I mix it with my protein shake daily." More Retail: Walmart, Target, Costco make major 2025 announcementFormerly bankrupt retailer makes painful decision to close more storesTop investor takes firm stance on troubled retail brandWalmart and Costco making major change affecting all customers Many consumers have found themselves cash-strapped in recent years thanks to lingering inflation. And a large number can't afford to pay more for what may be an essential item on their grocery list. But if there's one thing Costco is good at, it's listening to customers. If enough members reach out and share their disappointment over the end of Kirkland Signature soy milk, there's a chance the item may be resurrected at some point in the future. If not, members can take comfort in the fact that any branded soy milk Costco sources will likely be priced competitively in its own right. Maurie Backman owns shares of Costco. The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
