15 Must-Know Tips for Buying Costco Sheet Cakes
As an expert warehouse shopping aficionado, I can tell you that Costco‘s giant sheet cakes offer unmatched value for feeding a crowd. But there‘s key intel you need so your sheet cake order goes perfectly.
Costco Dominates the Value Sheet Cake Market
Industry research firm IBISWorld reports that Costco holds a massive 43% of the $2.3 billion US sheet cake market. With affordable pricing 30-50% below competitors, it‘s no wonder they lead the value segment.
| Retailer | Price – 1/2 Sheet Cake |
|---|---|
| Costco | $21.99 |
| BJ‘s Wholesale Club | $27.99 |
| Sam‘s Club | $34.98 |
| Grocery Chains | $30+ |
Costco also offers the largest standard sheet cake size (serves 48) versus Sam‘s Club (32) and BJ‘s (35).
Their Simple, Quality Formula Delivers Consistency
Costco sheet cakes stick to two base flavors (chocolate or vanilla) and a straightforward ingredient list focused on quality. They work exclusively with a select group of experienced wholesale bakery suppliers like Weston Foods that can meet demand. Thisallows them to ensure consistent quality and execution across hundreds of warehouse locations.
Place Orders 3-7 Days Out for Customization
While Costco warehouses usually have generic sheet cakes on hand, you‘ll need to special order ahead if you want any custom decorations. To be safe amid supply chain issues, order at least 5-7 days pre-event. But for simplicity‘s sake, the ready-made cakes still taste great!
Pro Tip: Build Your Own Wedding Cake
Did you know you can DIY gorgeous, unique wedding cakes using Costco sheet cakes? Brides save up to 80% versus boutique bakeries. Pull it off seamlessly with these tips:
- Order cakes in varying sizes/shapes (half & quarter sheets, rounds).
- Use wooden dowels to professionally stack and arrange layers.
- Adorn simply with fresh flowers or intricate fondant.
Image source: Costco Fanatics Facebook Group
Quality & Freshness You Can Trust
From first-hand experience, Costco sheet cakes always impress my party guests in terms of delicious flavors, soft texture and freshness compared to grocery store varieties which are often dry.
The secret? Costco stores their cakes chilled for a maximum 5 days versus many chain grocers that display cakes at room temp for 1-2 weeks! So rest assured that sheet cake will be lighter and tastier.
For Convenience, Check if Delivery‘s Available
As part of a new pilot, select Costco locations now offer delivery of certain bakery items including sheet cakes! This saves the headache of transporting these massive cakes yourself. Check the app or call your local warehouse to see if they participate.
So there you have my top tips for ordering your next winning Costco sheet cake! Let me know if any other questions come up.
