Costco is known for its bargain deals, many of which come from its Kirkland Signature brand. However, some people might skip Kirkland to buy more familiar brands, assuming they are better quality. But both products might be exactly the same, aside from the price and label. See, Costco doesn’t produce Kirkland items itself; they are made by third-party companies. And some of them include the more familiar, “high quality” brands people pay higher prices for. So here are 18 famous brands with cheaper Kirkland versions so you can make the most of Costco deals.
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1. Starbucks Coffee
Several types of Kirkland Signature coffee actually come from Starbucks Coffee Company. Shoppers can buy a 2.5-pound bag of Kirkland’s Espresso Blend that was “custom-roasted by Starbucks.” They can decide between medium roast, dark roast, and decaf medium roast, all for a lower price than at a Starbucks coffee house. [1]
2. Jelly Belly
Jelly Belly seems to have a monopoly over the jelly bean market so its no surprise the company supplies Costco as well. Kirkland’s Signature Jelly Belly Gourmet Beans come in at $16.99 for four lbs, which is a great bargain for parties, special occasions, or a cozy night at home. With so many jelly beans to choose from, there’s no fighting over certain flavors.
3. Duracell Batteries
Even though many electric products are rechargeable, batteries are still important to have on hand. Cheap batteries tend to burn out quickly, but you can buy good quality without splurging. Kirkland Signature Alkaline AA Batteries are actually manufactured by Duracell.
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4. Sonova Hearing Aids
Costco provides free hearing tests at each location, which encourages many customers to buy from their hearing aid selection. This includes Costco’s Kirkland Signature (KS9) 9.0 Digital Hearing Instruments, which are actually manufactured by Sonova Hearing Aids. [2]
5. Perrigo Infant Formula
Parents want the best when they look for baby formula, so they tend to stick with brands they are already familiar with. So it’s good to know that Kirkland Signature ProCare was made by Abbott Laboratories, which also produces the Similac until Perrigo took over the Costco brand. Today, Perrigo is the third largest manufacturer of infant formula for Canada and the U.S.
6. Ocean Spray Juice
Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice is a delicious drink, whether it’s for breakfast or cocktail parties. Fortunately, you can buy a 6-pack of Kirkland Signature Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice for a cheaper price than other retailers.
7. Reynolds Aluminum Foil
This partnership is unsurprising since Reynolds Aluminum Foil’s packaging is identical to its Kirkland version. In this case, the foil is not necessarily less expensive than at other retailers, but at Costco, you’ll get more quantity of the product.
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8. Warren Motor Oil
There are many kinds of motor oil, but many different brands are actually produced by Warren Oil, including Costco’s Kirkland Signature Full Synthetic SAE 54-30. But keep in mind, although Costco is known for its large products, motor oil has an expiry date. So don’t stockpile too much; Kirkland Signature isn’t going anywhere.
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9. Chinet Cups
Costco is many people’s go-to shop for party supplies because they can buy in bulk for good prices. So look out for Kirkland Signature Chinet Plastic Cups that are produced, unsurprisingly, by Chinet.
10. Humboldt Creamery Ice Cream
Humboldt Creamery Ice Cream is not as well known as Ben and Jerry’s. It actually went bankrupt in 2009, but in 2016, the company found another way to sell their products. It signed with Costco to create Kirkland Signature’s Super Premium Vanilla Ice Cream, a brand that satisfies a sweet tooth without depleting the wallet.
11. Niagara Bottled Water
Some people are picky about bottled water brands, but if they drink Niagara, they’ll also enjoy Kirkland Signature Purified Water, which comes from the same company. This partnership is no secret; it’s printed right on the label, so there’s no confusion about what you’re getting when you’re buying water in bulk.
12. Formaggi Zanetti Parmigiano Reggiano
Costco sells a variety of cheese, but Kirkland Signature Parmigiano Reggiano stands out for its good quality. This hard cheese comes from Italy-based company Formaggi Zanetti, and it’s perfect for multiple recipes, including pizza, lasagna, and plain old cheese and crackers.
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13. Bumble Bee Tuna
Cheap canned fish brands have become controversial for containing ingredients not advertised on the can. So it’s important to find good quality items, but it may be difficult to find them for a good price. So look out for Kirkland Signature Solid White Albacore Tuna, which comes from the Bumble Bee seafood company.
14. Blommer Chocolate
Blommer is the largest supplier of chocolate in North America, so it’s only natural for the company to partner with Costco to make Kirkland Signature Chocolate. It comes in many flavors, including dark and milk chocolate, and fancier types like milk chocolate caramel clusters. The two companies have also created a program to support sustainable cocoa sourcing.
15. Bolthouse Farms Carrot Juice
Kirkland Signature Organic 100% Carrot Juice might taste familiar. A three-pack of Kirkland Carrot Juice comes from Bolthouse Farms. This company used to be owned by Campbell’s Soup, but now it’s a Kirkland subsidiary.
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16. Kettle Brand
There are many varieties of potato chips, and some people are picky about their favorites. But those who enjoy the Kettle Brand can snack on a 32-ounce bag of Kirkland Signature Crinkle Cut Potato Chips, which are also kosher, gluten-free, and GMO-free.
17. Huggies
Anyone with little kids needs diapers and lots of them. But diaper expenses can add up very quickly, and there seems to be no way around it since many parents want to avoid low-quality, cheap brands. Fortunately, Kirkland Signature Diapers are actually from the well-respected Huggies brand, and since they are sold in Costco, they come in bulk.
18. Nature’s Path
Nature’s Path Granola is kosher, certified organic, and available at Costco under the name Kirkland Signature Ancient Grain Granola. It contains healthy ingredients like kamut, spelt, quinoa, amaranth, almonds, and quinoa.
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19. Pureology
Pureology is considered a high-quality salon-level brand. It may come as a surprise that Costco’s Kirkland Signature Moisture Shampoo is actually Pureology Hydrate Shampoo in disguise. The only difference is the Kirkland label and lower price.
Make the Most of Costco’s Kirkland Signature Brand
Costco launched Kirkland in 1995 with about 30 different products. Today, the brand includes 364. Private labels like Kirkland Signature allow companies to control the quality of the items. This is why these kinds of brands can create good products with low prices and a higher profit margin. So don’t judge an item by its label, especially when you can buy the same thing for a better price. [3]
Keep Reading: Some Costco Shoppers Have Noticed A ‘Chemical Flavor’ In The Store’s Rotisserie Chicken
Sources
- “Here are the big brands hidden behind Costco’s Kirkland products.” Yahoo Finance. Serah Louis. December 20, 2020
- “Which Brands Are Hidden Behind Costco’s Kirkland Label?” Investing. Kate Prince. July 15, 2023
- “The hidden makers of Costco’s Kirkland Signature and Trader Joe’s O’s.” CNN. Nathaniel Meyersohn. August 6, 2022