Wow, just got back from Costso. I understand with several meat producers shut down it has pinched distribution, but damn. The items we saw were $6.59 for chuck roast, $3.99 for 85% ground beef, and $4.99 for Boston butt. Even their packaged salmon with butter increased from $9.99 to 10.99! The store was practically empty (maybe 50-60 people), and they only had three lanes open for checkout.

Seems like all the reasons to have a membership have been sold short - they had no Kirkland bacon, and their pulled rotisserie went from $9.99 to 12.99 for a package. We left with less than $80 worth of stuff, and stopped at Harris Teeter to get packaged petit fillet for $7.99/ lb, and marinated chicken for $3.99. Hard to believe HT had ground beef prices lower than Costco.

Supply and demand.

Costco has become the first go-to option for consumers, as their quality is first rate for the volume they sell. March & April was the great chicken massacre of 2020. Now you're seeing reduced inventory of pork & beef. Ideally, Costco would've rationed basic food stuff purchases early on as it became obvious when people went full stupid hoarding toilet paper and disinfectants. Your local regional market likely has a broader supply chain than Costco, as their demands may not be as exacting as what Costco requires, thus they're able to sustain their meat supply. It may not be in the volume or, pricing you like or, the quality you prefer but, they've got it. Costco is great for some things but, not for everything, as the market changes so will shopping trends. Also, keep in mind not all Costco's are the same; some a very basic basic, others are better inventoried in electronics, yard supplies or, furniture, I have a location near me that is strong on premium food stuffs and alcohol. The other one the other direction has a lot more Asian food items.

Costco here is limiting meat purchases to 1 package per customer. They also didn't have much in stock. However, the local Hy-Vee has plenty.

I gladly pay a little more at Costco for meat because I believe it to be top quality, and as well for their no questions asked money back guarantee if I'm not happy with anything.

Obviously their meat costs have gone up and they need to adjust accordingly.

If you have the freezer space, stock up now.

We are heading over the BJ's later today to see if they have increased their prices as much as Costco has. My fear is that the number f people who cancelled their memberships is part of what is driving these increases. I read that 9% of members have cancelled memberships in the last 15 days.

The point that I still don't get is how the local grocery stores are selling lower than they are?

quote:

The point that I still don't get is how the local grocery stores are selling lower than they are?

Meat price here
( in the midwest )
at my grocery stores have gone Up, between 25% and 33%, since january 1st.

My meat market manager claims that the combination of processors closing and Panic hoarding is the cause of the high prices.

quote:

Originally posted by 280nosler:
We are heading over the BJ's later today to see if they have increased their prices as much as Costco has. My fear is that the number f people who cancelled their memberships is part of what is driving these increases. I read that 9% of members have cancelled memberships in the last 15 days.

Has absolutely nothing to do with higher meat prices.

quote:

Originally posted by 280nosler:
My fear is that the number f people who cancelled their memberships is part of what is driving these increases. I read that 9% of members have cancelled memberships in the last 15 days.

What's the reason for all the membership cancellations?

Why are people cancelling Costco memberships?

^^^ Requiring masks to be worn in their stores. I canceled my membership.

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Originally posted by PowerSurge:
^^^ Requiring masks to be worn in their stores. I canceled my membership.

I forgot about that! I just quit going but I understand cancelling.

i just got back from costco for a few items & forgot my mask...they provided one & i continued shopping.

costco gas prices year round make the subscription valuable for me.

quote:

Originally posted by 280nosler:
Wow, just got back from Costso. I understand with several meat producers shut down it has pinched distribution, but damn.

Wife just returned from shopping at Sam's Club. Ground beef today is more expensive, per lb., than the prime whole tenderloins we bought last week.

Going over this afternoon, hopefully they'll have some good NY Strips for us to purchase, they'll going on the smoker this weekend...

IF not we have plenty of other options for steaks....

Dang thing is I fueled up the Eff Juan Fiddy last night at WaWa

quote:

Originally posted by corsair:
Ideally, Costco would've rationed basic food stuff purchases early on as it became obvious when people went full stupid hoarding toilet paper and disinfectants.

They did, demand outstripped supply. Even at the lowest volume when social distancing was implemented, with no modifications to the store, every shopper would buy these basic items. A semi truck of paper goods would be gone in 20 minutes. 4-7 semi trucks of dry goods would be gone by the next day. Even a small bottleneck on the production side of meat has a large impact at the retail side. This is why preparedness is important.

The Deli in my Yooper grocery store threw off the chains of oppression and reopened.
One pound of sliced chicken: $7.50
About a two dollar increase.

quote:

Originally posted by PowerSurge:
^^^ Requiring masks to be worn in their stores. I canceled my membership.

So did I after almost ten years of membership. When they regain brain function again, I'll consider whether to re-join.

But everyone seems to be missing the elephant in the room. Why are the plants still closed? Can they not address virus issues and reopen (Rhetorical)? This is bullshit on parade! Disinfect the damn facility, test the staff, then reopen with those who tested negative. I know those in government are stupid on steroids, but even the biggest mental midgets should be able to figure this one out.

I was at Sam's Club on Weds. and the meat prices were up a bit, but they had meat to sell. You were limited to one package of chicken, beef, pork per person. My Sam's has approx. 60-65% inventory now, which is a big improvement. They do NOT require one to wear a mask, for I would not do it.

quote:

Originally posted by Voshterkoff:

quote:

Originally posted by corsair:
Ideally, Costco would've rationed basic food stuff purchases early on as it became obvious when people went full stupid hoarding toilet paper and disinfectants.

They did, demand outstripped supply.

I was referring to late Feb/early March when it certain people were getting worked up; by mid-March is when it went full-tilt. Not saying they're at fault, they, like every other segment was slow to react until it was plainly obvious.

At some point, with everyone buying, supply is just going to dwindle to nothing. In a short period, the just-in-time supply model that has been implemented across a number of service sectors over the last 10-years, is unable to cope and the need to surge is never enough.

Okay, back from BJ's. 85% ground beef was $3.19, chicken breast was $2.89 (for a 9lb tray, vacu-packed, not frozen); Boston butt was $3.99, and chuck roast was $5.89. Seems like everything was 10-20% cheaper (that was comparable) for similar producers (Tyson vs Pilgrims Pride) (Smithfield vs Swift).

I hope they get their shit together. They went from being 5-10% cheaper than the grocery store for prime meats to 15-20% more in about a week.