A pumpkin pie on a wooden table.
Why Costco Pies Are So Cheap

NEWS

By MATTHEW LEE
Stacks of Costco pumpkin pies.
Costco’s pumpkin pies, weighing 3.6 pounds and measuring 12 inches in diameter, have been Thanksgiving table staples priced at a humble $5.99 each since 1990.
Costco's pumpkin pies on display in the store.
Per David and Susan Schwartz, authors of “The Joy of Costco: A Treasure Hunt From A to Z,” the pies’ cheap price is a result of Costco’s streamlined, efficient production process.
Costco's pies on display with the price sign above them.
Moreover, as a wholesaler, Costco’s immense purchasing power allows them to secure bulk ingredients at discounted rates. They also have a nearly industrialized production process.
A person creating a pie crust.
The production process requires bakers to craft uniform crusts with a machine that adds filling; this method reduces waste and ensures consistency, further driving down the cost.