There are many reasons why Costco is the one-stop-shop of choice for millions of customers, but their steady supply of top-notch products is what keeps shoppers coming back. But even the beloved warehouse wholesaler can suffer from supply issues that lead to empty shelves. Right now, it's the dairy aisle that might be looking a little less full than usual, as imported cheeses will likely be out of stock at Costco for months, CNN Business reports. Read on to see what other fridge staples might be affected by these shipping woes, and for more products to avoid on your next shopping trip, check out The 20 Worst Things to Buy at Costco.
Costco is seeing a shortage of imported cheeses due to a major supply chain crisis.
ShotShare / iStockIf you've been planning to treat yourself to a charcuterie board, be prepared to feel the pinch: Costco is one of many companies that is feeling the effects of a major supply chain crisis created by a lack of available shipping containers at major ports along the West Coast, including Seattle, Los Angeles, Oakland, and Long Beach. The company's executives say this means your go-to gouda might not be as easy to find for a while.
"Overseas freight has continued to be an issue in regards to container shortage and port delays. This has caused timing delays on certain categories," Richard Galanti, chief financial officer for Costco, said during an earnings call with analysts last week. He added: "We expect these pressures to ease in the coming months, but it’s impacting everyone, of course." And for the cheese you should avoid at the moment, beware that If You Have These Cheeses at Home, the FDA Says Get Rid of Them Now.
Cheeses aren't the only products being affected by the issue.
ShutterstockUnfortunately, Galanti also reported on the earnings call that cheese wasn't the only item that was backlogged due to the shipping bottlenecks. The warehouse wholesaler is also currently having supply issues with several other popular products, including seafood, olive oil, furniture, sports equipment, and gardening supplies.
"There are lots of goods that are loaded in containers off the coasts trying to get in while there's a shortage of containers here," Blake Anderson, president of the American Dairy Products Institute, told USA Today. And for more shopping news and tips sent right to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
Showing up early might increase your chances of getting the item you want.
ShutterstockEven though the dairy aisle may be looking unusually bare, there is still one method that can help you get your hands on your favorite items. After noticing certain products were becoming scarce at her local Costco, Houston resident Lindsey Thomas told USA Today that she adjusted her schedule to make sure she could get the items she wanted, saying: "You just have to go shopping there in the morning." And for more on when not to shop at another popular store, check out The Absolute Worst Time to Shop at Walmart, Employees Say.
Costco is far from the only company being affected by shipping issues.
ShutterstockThe current shipping crisis marks the latest major interruption after a long year of supply chain issues created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides Costco, other major retailers are feeling the effects as well, including Dollar Tree, Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, and popular shoe company Crocs.
"Importing product from Asia, getting it through Long Beach and other ports, and getting it shipped to customers is really challenging right now," Crocs CEO Andrew Rees said on a Feb. 23 earnings call, via CNN Business. "I think that will smooth out over time, but it's going to take a little while." And for more products from Costco that you should skip, check out If You Bought This From Costco, Stop Using It Immediately.
