If you’ve been shopping at Costco for years, you might’ve noticed something off about your favorite products lately. They look different. They feel lighter. And honestly, they just don’t seem like the same deal they used to be. It’s not just you – shoppers across the country are calling out what looks like classic shrinkflation hitting even the beloved warehouse giant.
Those bakery croissants aren’t what they were
Costco’s croissants have always been a bakery favorite, but recent complaints suggest they’re getting smaller. And we’re not talking about a tiny difference here. One Reddit user posted side-by-side photos of croissants bought just a month apart, and the size difference was pretty noticeable. But here’s the kicker – an alleged bakery employee jumped into the thread claiming the croissants have shrunk by around 50%. That’s a huge reduction. The croissants come in frozen, so it’s not like individual locations are making them smaller. This is a supply chain thing. And that makes the whole situation even more frustrating for loyal customers who’ve been buying these for years.
Kirkland frozen blueberries downsized
The Kirkland Organic Frozen Blueberries used to be this massive bag that seemed like it’d last forever. Perfect for smoothies, oatmeal, or just snacking straight from the freezer. But shoppers have noticed the bag got smaller while the price stayed basically the same. One Reddit commenter joked that at least they can fit the new bag in their freezer easier now, but they’d prefer a lower price instead. I mean, that’s fair. When you’re paying the same amount for less product, it stings a bit. These blueberries were always a solid value, so seeing them shrink feels like losing a reliable friend.
Kit Kat bars looking suspiciously small
Kit Kats from the Costco 50-pack have definitely gotten smaller. A shopper posted a photo comparison showing an older bar next to a newer one, and the difference was impossible to miss. The newer bars were noticeably shorter. And it’s not just a Costco thing – Nestle admitted in Australia that rising costs pushed them to reduce sizes. But here’s what gets me: they didn’t really announce this change loudly. You just open your usual box one day and realize something feels off in your hand. The bars feel lighter, smaller, less satisfying. Some commenters suggested returning them and explaining why, hoping enough complaints might reverse the decision. Will it work? Probably not, but it’s worth a shot.
Bagels shrinking and losing their holes
Kirkland bagels have been the subject of multiple Reddit threads lately, and none of them are super positive. Shoppers claim the bagels are getting smaller, with some saying they’ve shrunk by about 30%. And the center hole? It’s basically disappearing. One user jokingly asked if their hands got bigger or if the bagels got smaller. Turns out it was the bagels. Multiple people confirmed they noticed the same thing. When you’re buying bagels in bulk, you expect consistency. These bagels come in flavors like Everything, Cinnamon, and Plain, and they used to be this reliable breakfast staple. Now they’re just kind of disappointing. Smaller bagels mean less cream cheese coverage, less sandwich potential, and honestly less value overall.
Food court chicken bakes changed after COVID
The chicken bakes disappeared briefly during the pandemic, which was pretty devastating for fans. But when they came back, something was different. According to an alleged Costco employee on Reddit, the chicken bakes used to be made in-house but now come in frozen from an outside supplier. And they’re shorter than before. The taste changed too, with some people saying the quality just isn’t the same. But weirdly, some customers actually prefer the new version. So maybe this one’s more about personal preference? Still, the size reduction is real. If you compare old photos to current chicken bakes, the difference is there. At least they’re back on the menu, even if they’re not quite what they used to be.
Häagen-Dazs ice cream bars getting slimmer
The 15-count boxes of Häagen-Dazs ice cream bars from Costco have apparently shrunk, and one shopper proved it by comparing them to similar Kirkland-branded bars. The Häagen-Dazs bars looked noticeably smaller. Another commenter claimed they used to eat these bars three decades ago, and back then each one had around 400 calories. Now? The label shows 270 calories. That’s a pretty significant drop, and fewer calories usually means a smaller product. Häagen-Dazs has been downsizing products since at least 2009, so this isn’t exactly new behavior for them. But it’s still frustrating when your favorite frozen treat keeps getting smaller while the price stays high.
Kirkland salsa containers holding less
Salsa lovers noticed Kirkland salsa going from 54-ounce containers down to 48 ounces. Same price, less salsa. That’s basically the definition of shrinkflation right there. And the Kirkland Organic Salsa switched from plastic containers to glass ones, which sounds environmentally friendly until you realize it also went from 38 ounces to 35 ounces. Some shoppers defended the change, saying glass is better for the planet and that makes the smaller size worth it. But when you’re at the bottom of your chip bowl with no salsa left, that environmental benefit doesn’t feel like much comfort. Why does this keep happening with products people actually love?
Granola bars raising eyebrows
Both the Kirkland Soft and Chewy Granola Bars and the Kirkland Signature Chewy Protein Bars have been called out for shrinking. One Reddit thread titled the granola bars “a shadow of their former selves,” which is pretty harsh but apparently accurate. The protein bars supposedly have bigger air pockets in the packaging now, though some skeptics pointed out the nutrition labels haven’t changed. So maybe it’s just inconsistent packaging? Hard to say. After trying these myself a while back, I remember them being pretty substantial. Now they just seem kind of underwhelming. And when you’re buying them in bulk, you notice these things more. You expect consistency from Costco, especially with their Kirkland brand.
Even the rotisserie chickens might be smaller
This one’s controversial because Costco’s rotisserie chickens are legendary. They’re cheap, convenient, and generally delicious. But some shoppers swear they’re getting smaller. The chickens still cost $4.99, which hasn’t changed in years, so maybe shrinking the birds is how Costco maintains that price point? It’s hard to know for sure without weighing them consistently. And honestly, the quality seems inconsistent too – some people report chemical tastes or weird textures. A former employee claimed Costco gets chickens from two different suppliers, with one being way better than the other. So maybe you’re just rolling the dice every time you grab one. Still, if they are shrinking, that’s a pretty big deal for such an iconic Costco product.
Shrinkflation isn’t going away anytime soon, and it looks like even Costco isn’t immune. These changes might seem small individually, but when your favorite products keep getting smaller while prices stay the same or go up, it adds up fast. At least shoppers are paying attention and calling it out when they notice.
