The past few months have been chaotic for Costco customers, with product limitations, long lines and the temporary elimination of free food samples. Now, it appears there's another change for devoted shoppers: Costco has eliminated the iconic half-sheet cakes that are the centerpiece of graduation and birthday parties.
Costco has quietly stopped selling the $20 half-sheet cakes across its U.S. stores for the past month, instead pointing people toward its 10-inch round cakes and other assorted bake goods.
Costco confirmed to CNN Business it's not selling the half-sheet cakes anymore and it has "no immediate plans" to bring it back. A spokesperson added that its 10-inch round cakes "seem to be resonating with our members."
The decision also coincides with a recommendation from several U.S. states and health agencies to avoid or prohibit large gatherings in light of COVID-19. Half-sheet cakes feeds around 50 people, while its 10-inch round cake serves around a dozen.
Kroger and Sam's Club stores have also appeared to stopped selling the half-sheet cake, according to an online search. However, Walmart, Albertson's, and H-E-B are still selling sheet cakes of various sizes.
The chain started bringing back free food samples in a handful of stores and plans to roll them out to additional locations in coming weeks. Costco is also loosening restrictions on the number of people members are allowed to bring with them during shopping trips.