If you asked Costco members to name their favorite department at the bulk retailer, it might be the bakery, where you’ll find cult-favorite items like the store’s butter croissants, pumpkin pie, and customizable sheet cakes. The latter has become a staple at large gatherings, because you can snag a 48-serving sheet cake for just $25 — that’s less than $1 per slice — and it’ll still be delicious.
But as Food & Wine reports, if you’ve ever ordered a custom cake from Costco, you know that there’s always been one pain point in the process of purchasing this dessert: the retailer’s famously archaic ordering system. But in excellent news for anyone with a birthday coming up, the retail giant recently revealed that it’s finally rolling out online cake ordering options through its app.
In the company’s quarterly earnings call at the end of December, Costco CEO Ron Vachris mentioned that he was “very excited about what we have coming in the app… We’ve got ordering cakes and deli trays online coming,” and added, “Many of the things that we’ve heard from our members that could be a little bit clunky are now moving to a digital state.”
Customers Hated the In-Store Ordering System
Until now, there hasn’t been a way to order a custom cake from Costco without visiting the store in-person. To request a cake, customers would fill out a paper form with details like cake size, flavor, and decoration choices, then drop the piece of paper in a box inside the store. There was no talking to anyone in the bakery, no receipt, and no option to call later to make sure your order was on track.
Some shoppers have been quick to defend the outdated methodology on Reddit, saying “You just trust the box” and “It’s magic.” But others have complained about having to visit the store twice to order the cake and pick it up. A few customers even report that Costco failed to make their cakes after they submitted a paper form, which can easily get lost.
How You Can Order a Costco Cake Online
The new ordering option is rolling out to stores gradually, and members can commission a custom cake online — or confirm whether it’s an option available to them — by using the Costco app. Start by clicking the warehouse icon in the bottom-right corner of the app. Once you’ve clicked, scroll down slightly. If you see a banner announcing the new cake ordering capabilities, the feature is available at your warehouse location.
You will need to be logged into the app with your membership credentials to order a cake. If you’re not able to request a cake online just yet, don’t worry, because this new offering is still in the process of being introduced to Costcos nationwide.
The online ordering system closely mimics the store’s paper form. It’s easy and intuitive to use, and you’ll be guided through selecting all of the details for your cake, just like you would in-store.
How Long Will it Take to Get a Cake Ordered Online?
One of the biggest differences for shoppers will be the lead time between ordering a cake and picking it up. The paper form indicates that at least a one-day advance notice is appreciated, but when using the app, you may not be able to order a cake for pick-up the following day. A quick test showed the earliest pick-up time at the nearest Costco to be nearly 72 hours away, but that window may vary by location and availability.
The buffer time between ordering and acquiring your cake is likely intended to ensure that no more custom desserts fall through the cracks, and Costco is making one other major change to ensure all requests are fulfilled. After submitting your online order, you’ll receive an email confirmation and receipt, guaranteeing that the bakery will carry out your request. Customers will still pay for cakes in person when they pick them up.
Vachris noted in the earnings call that deli trays — platters full of premade items like sandwiches and wraps — will also be available for online ordering soon. It sounds like you may be able to plan a full party menu before even heading to Costco by the end of the year.
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