Costco's Popular Peppermint Bark Has Been Struck With Inflation

From cinnamon rolls to specialty croissants, the Costco bakery department is known for producing a ton of the good stuff at the best prices. As one of Costco's best holiday desserts, peppermint bark has long been regarded as a must-have for the holiday season. This year, however, sentiments of dissatisfaction with the confection have made waves across the internet. At the center of this phenomenon: inflation. From TikTok to Reddit, many users have lamented at the price hike of the Kirkland Signature peppermint bark.

The increase in price from $9.99 just last year in 2023 to $14.99 in 2024 is certainly sad news for wallets across Costco warehouses. You still get a large quantity of peppermint bark pieces, with each $14.99 box containing 21 ounces of the Christmassy treat. Some Costco customers are still willing to purchase batches of Kirkland Signature Peppermint Bark at $14.99, albeit with less joy than previous years. It is cases of inflation like this that raise the question of how Costco's hot dogs are still only $1.50.

Similarly to how people walking out of Chipotle mid-order due to smaller portion sizes quickly became a trend, some Costco customers are leaving the peppermint bark on the shelves. For such customers, the price of $14.99 was simply too much, regardless of how good this crunchy snack is in terms of flavor. Many customers have long felt that Kirkland Signature Peppermint Bark triumphs over competitors like Ghirardelli, making the increase in price all the more disappointing.

The increase in the price of the Kirkland Signature peppermint bark can likely be attributed to broader inflation, specifically regarding cocoa, a key ingredient in the bark. According to Trading Economics, the price of cocoa rose by nearly 180% in 2024, causing products reliant on cocoa to increase in price as well.