Shoppers are getting hit with purchase limits and, in some cases, higher prices at Costco but unlike during the pandemic, this time it’s not driven by hoarding or panic buying. Instead, Costco said it has a lot to do with supply chain delays.

The new policy states shoppers can buy up to two packs of Kirkland (Costco brand) bottled water. For Kirkland paper towels and Kirkland toilet paper, the limit is one. Costco also set limits on some popular cleaning supplies.

Shoppers are getting hit with purchase limits and, in some cases, higher prices at Costco but unlike during the pandemic, this time it’s not driven by hoarding or panic buying. Instead, Costco said it has a lot to do with supply chain delays.

The new policy states shoppers can buy up to two packs of Kirkland (Costco brand) bottled water. For Kirkland paper towels and Kirkland toilet paper, the limit is one. Costco also set limits on some popular cleaning supplies.

“It’s very tough to get drivers trained. It’s not a sexy industry. You have to have it in your blood. You have to want to do it,” said Bill Aboudi, president of AB Trucking in Oakland.

On top of a trucker shortage, Aboudi said port and terminal delays sometimes force drivers to wait six to eight hours for a container.

“We’re sitting, so we’re not being used efficiently,” said Aboudi.

To deal with the supply chain delays, Galanti said Costco is putting in orders to suppliers early. They’re even renting cargo ships to transport their own shipping containers from Asia to the U.S.
Costco is warning shoppers because of the higher transportation costs, some products will go up in prices.

“Costco (prices are) typically less than the other places and so it won’t affect my buying practices,” said shopper Dan Chicorel.