Two years after customers lamented Costco’s decision to discontinue its semi-sweet chocolate chips, the warehouse has brought the beloved item back.
Costco’s Kirkland Signature Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips have now returned, going for between $11.99 and $14.99 online and in-store for a 4.5-pound bag, according to the company’s website and the thrilled customers who have picked up a bag or two.
“Bad news: Costco stew beef is $7.99,” wrote X user @lizzyscardinal on Aug. 6. “Good news: Their chocolate chips are back!”
Why Costco Discontinued the Chocolate Chips
In July 2024, news began to spread on Reddit and social media that customers saw an asterisk next to the chocolate chips’ price in stores. Customers say the asterisk, sometimes called a death star, typically means the product may be discontinued, it’s seasonal, there may be a packaging or count change or there’s another adjustment.
The products, per Reddit posts and social media chatter, marked for phase-out included:
- Kirkland Signature Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (red bag comparable to Nestle Toll House)
- Kirkland Signature Semi-Sweet 51% Chocolate Chips (blue bag with increased chocolate in the recipe)
Costco did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s requests for comment on Aug. 17.
Here’s what we know about the chocolate chips, why people love them and how social media has welcomed the return of the fan-favorite item.
Why Shoppers Wanted Them Back
Once shoppers found out about the discontinuation of the chocolate chips, some said they prefer Kirkland Signature because other brands are too sweet. Others referred to dietary restrictions.
“This is incredibly disappointing,” wrote one Reddit user. “The Kirkland chips are one of the few that are dairy free. My family has members with true anaphylactic dairy allergies. Kirkland brand was our go to chip.”
And for some shoppers, where the chocolate comes from matters. Costco says on its website that it buys beans from farmers who are paid fairly and get business training.
“The original Kirkland chocolate chips were dairy free and ethically sourced,” wrote one social media user shortly after finding out the chocolate chips were being discontinued.
Shoppers Celebrate the Return
One Florida TikToker got wind of the chocolate chips’ return last week and took to the app to share their excitement, picking up multiple bags of the chips as rapper Sexyy Red’s “She’s Back” played in the background.
“The way I was devastated when they took my favorite chocolate chips away,” @crustycravingsbyhannah captioned the post. “I really hope they’re the same quality.”
X user @sloeginpsyop also stopped by a local warehouse to snag a bag.
“‘It’ll be fine,’ I said to myself as I loaded the 4.5lb bag of chocolate chips into my cart at Costco,” the user wrote. “‘I bake a lot, they’re much cheaper this way, I’m a grown woman, I’ll have self control.’”
And then there’s TikToker @thecostcomama, who recalled the harrowing experience of Costco removing the chocolate chips two years ago.
“Kirkland Signature Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips are elite,” she wrote. “Everyone mourned them when they disappeared in 2024. Elated that they’re back in all their glory.”
Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY’s trending team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at [email protected].
Reporting by Saleen Martin, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
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