Costco has been known for its affordable prices, but it seems like the times are changing as the cost of food keeps increasing. It’s not just the shelves where you can see inflation creeping in.
Recently, a Reddit post went viral, highlighting the $9.99 roast beef sandwich at a Lynnwood, Washington, Costco. The sandwich consists of “sliced roast beef with onion, relish, mayo/mustard blend, lettuce, roasted cherry tomatoes and red onions on a ciabatta roll.” The price of the sandwich was ridiculed by the internet as it costs the same as a whole pizza at the food court.
This isn’t the first time Costco’s food prices have gone up. Last year, prices on several menu items went up by as much as a third. The chicken bake increased from $2.99 to $3.99, and even soda was up by 10 cents from $0.59 to $0.69. But the $10 roast beef sandwich is something new altogether, and it’s causing quite a stir. Some Redditors are already calling it market testing, while others are saying that it’s overpriced and out of place in the lineup.
Some users are speculating that the sandwich is an experiment to see whether customers are willing to pay more for food court items. However, others suggest that the price may just be too high to be sustainable and that the sandwich will be scrapped from the menu quickly. Furthermore, there is evidence that the sandwich is not selling well, as one Redditor said that he was told that the sandwich was already “out of stock” when he visited the store.
One thing is clear: the days of cheap Costco fare may be coming to an end. Even former CEO Jim Sinegal, who is known for his resistance to raising prices, had threatened the current CEO, W. Craig Jelinek, when he complained about the hot dog losing too much money for the company. However, that was just the hot dog, and the sandwich’s $10 price tag suggests that things are changing at the retail giant.
Inflation is still persistently high, and food prices are increasingly volatile, so “figure it out” won’t cut it in 2023 – even with loss-leaders at the Costco food court. The $10 Costco roast beef sandwich may be confined to the Seattle suburbs for now, but it’s only a matter of time before prices continue to rise. The cost of food is increasing, and customers will have to pay more for their favorite meals. The cost of living is on the rise, and everyone will feel the impact, regardless of their income level.
It’s not just the food court that’s affected by inflation. Many consumers are struggling to make ends meet as prices continue to soar, and it’s only going to get worse. The pandemic has disrupted the global economy, and the effects will be felt for years to come. With supply chain disruptions, rising energy costs, and labor shortages, it’s no wonder that prices are going up. It’s a perfect storm of economic factors, and consumers will bear the brunt of the impact.
The $10 Costco roast beef sandwich may be an anomaly, but it’s a sign of the times. Inflation is here, and it’s not going away anytime soon. Consumers will have to adjust their expectations and budgets, and retailers will have to find new ways to adapt to the new economic reality. The days of cheap food and goods are over, and everyone will have to pay more for the things they need. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but it’s the only way forward.
Sources: WesternJournal, Fox Business, Business Insider, 425 Business
Leave a Comment