Ah, Costco—the wondrous warehouse where everything is sold in bulk and free samples are aplenty. But the real secret to Costco's success is in the company's private label, Kirkland Signature. While the generic brand only makes up about 20 percent of Costco's overall offerings, it brings in more than one-third of its total sales. In 2018, for example, Kirkland Signature brought in more than $39 billion, which is more money than JCPenney and Macy's make combined.
But what is it about Kirkland Signature that makes it such a force to be reckoned with? Is it the competitively low prices? The quality of the products? The wide selection of offerings? Believe it or not, it's all of the above. Keep reading to learn about the many astounding and affordable Costco store-brand products you should snatch up.
1
Kirkland Signature Premium Dishwasher Pacs
The low price of Costco's Kirkland Signature premium dishwasher pods is just the icing on the cake. Consumer Reports also gave this product top marks when they tested a myriad of dishwasher detergents. "It's tough on food messes, resists food deposits, and does an impressive job preventing water spots and white film, with little discoloration of our aluminum sheets," the experts wrote.
2
Kirkland Signature Almond Butter
What's the point of paying more for name-brand almond butter when the only ingredient in it is almonds? The Kirkland Signature almond butter is one of the most cost-friendly on the market at just $0.33 per ounce. Plus, its "natural sweetness" and "almondy" flavor earned it an "excellent" from Consumer Reports.
3
Kirkland Signature Extra Virgin Olive Oil
The Kirkland Signature extra virgin olive oil doesn't just measure up to other name brands—it's better. When researchers at the University of California, Davis Olive Center analyzed 14 imported brands of extra virgin olive oil, they found that only one had the proper characteristics to be considered truly extra virgin—and that one was Kirkland Signature.
4
Kirkland Signature Batteries
The only things we really need from batteries are longevity and low cost. Luckily, Costco's Kirkland Signature AA batteries provide the best of both worlds. At just $0.29 per battery, the alkaline AAs are a bargain buy, and Consumer Reports found that they were just as powerful as the Duracell's.
5
Kirkland Signature Colombian Supremo
The Kirkland Signature Colombian Supremo coffee isn't your run-of-the-mill store-brand kind of Joe. Though it costs just $6 per pound, Consumer Reports ranked it alongside such pricey products as Whole Foods' Allegro Colombia Agustino Forest (which is twice the price) and Counter Culture La Golondrina Colombia Certified Organic (which sells for $19.25 per pound).
6
Kirkland Signature Luggage
It's hard to justify spending a lot of money on a suitcase. Unless you're George Clooney à la Up in the Air, you seldom use your carry-ons and stowaways. So spending anything more than a few hundred dollars is just unreasonable.
However, saving money doesn't have to mean sacrificing quality. Though Costco's Kirkland Signature suitcases received top marks from Consumer Reports for everything from durability to ease of carrying, the bags are still priced well enough that they won't break the bank.
7
Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract is one of those baking ingredients you think you have on hand, but when you need it, it's nowhere to be found. So when you're next at Costco, consider heading over to the baking aisle to grab some. With "a rich caramel and floral aroma," experts agree that Costco's pure vanilla extract is perfect for bakers on a budget.
8
Kirkland Signature Vodka
Rumor has it that Costco's store-brand vodka is just Grey Goose with a different name. Though that hasn't been confirmed, people still love Kirkland Signature vodka. In fact, in a taste test on Kitchn, reviewers ranked the store-brand booze above Kettle One and Grey Goose.
9
Kirkland Signature Bacon
When Consumer Reports tested out several brands of bacon, only one received a mark of excellence—and it was Kirkland Signature. "It crisped up nicely and consistently had balanced fat and meat flavors complemented by wood smoke and a hint of sweetness," the reviewers wrote about the store-brand breakfast meat.
10
Kirkland Signature Maple Syrup
Low price doesn't always mean low quality. When Consumer Reports tested out several maple syrups, they found that the Kirkland Signature variety—the cheapest of the bunch—was "very good," while the pricey Camp Pure Maple Syrup was just "good."
11
Kirkland Signature Steak Strips
"The steak strips are always moist and soft and have a great flavor to them as well," the founder of Costco Insider told Thrillist about why the jerky is one of his favorite store-brand products. And at just $1 per ounce, these cured cuts of dried cow are definitely a moo-st have!
12
Kirkland Signature Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon
It's hard to put your faith in any kind of frozen fish, but we kid you not when we say the following quote is from Bon Appétit, the crème de la crème of food publications: "If you are buying any salmon besides Kirkland wild caught Alaskan Sockeye Salmon, you are being swindled." Does the praise get any higher than that?
13
Kirkland Signature Stretch-Tite Food Wrap
If the Kirkland Signature Stretch-Tite food wrap is good enough for Ina Garten, then it's good enough for you, too. And there's a reason why the Barefoot Contessa is so obsessed with the store-brand wrap: Compared to other plastic coverings, it's easier to use, thicker, and much better at sticking to surfaces.
14
Kirkland Signature Almonds
Of the 766 Amazon reviews for the Kirkland Signature whole almonds, a staggering 72 percent give the product five stars. "I love raw almonds and these are almonds and they are raw and they are cheap," one top-rated review reads. Top quality and low price make these nuts hard to beat.
15
Kirkland Signature Urethane Cover Golf Balls
Costco's Kirkland Signature golf balls have garnered something of a cult following in the golf community. They have a 4-out-of-5-star rating on Golfalot, and they're such a good bargain that Costco has had to limit each member to just two boxes total.
16
Kirkland Signature Mayonnaise
Consumer Reports noted that, when compared with Hellman's mayonnaise, "the better store brands are cheaper by at least 25 percent." And Kirkland Signature is definitely one of them. "You'd be hard-pressed to taste a difference in a sandwich," the reviewers wrote.
17
Kirkland Signature Frozen Shrimp
"At $7.25, Costco offers the best mix of price and quality," Consumer Reports wrote about Kirkland Signature frozen cooked shrimp. And even when tests were done solely from a taste perspective, the review site actually ranked Costco's seafood higher than that of the name brand sampled.
18
Kirkland Signature Non-GMO Infant Formula with Iron
The baby formula industry is highly regulated, so you can be certain that any powder you feed to your child—brand name or otherwise—is going to be 100 percent healthy and safe. And seeing as the Kirkland Signature infant formula is one of the least expensive out there, it's no surprise that The Wirecutter made it their top choice for baby formula.
19
Kirkland Signature Trail Mix
Peanuts? Check. M&M'S? Check. Raisins? Check. Almonds and cashews? Check and check. The Kirkland Signature trail mix has everything you could ever ask for in a traditional snack mix—but unlike leading brands that can cost as much as $5.40 per pound, Costco's is only $3.75 per pound.
20
Kirkland Signature Eggs
A big family needs a big carton of eggs, but that can get pricey. Not at Costco, though. For the regular cage-free eggs, it's just $1.79 per dozen—and for organic, it's a slightly higher at $3.21 per dozen. With prices like that, you can stock up without depleting your savings!
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