4-pound chocolate peanut butter pie from Costco goes viral but you might have to wait to get one
A Texas woman known as CostcoHotFinds on social media recently shared a video about a peanut butter chocolate pie that has people flocking to the wholesaler but if youโre ready for a sugar high you might want to wait.
Consumer prices up 0.4% last month but core prices moderate
The Labor Department reported on Thursday, Dec. 10, that the gain in the consumer price index followed an unchanged reading in October and matched the 0.2% September advance. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)WASHINGTON โ U.S. consumer prices increased 0.4% in February, the biggest gain in six months, led by a sharp jump in gasoline prices. The Labor Department said Wednesday that the February advance in its consumer price index followed a 0.3% rise in January and was the largest advance since a similar 0.4% increase in August. Consumer prices are up 1.7% over the past year, a still moderate performance for inflation which is running below the Federal Reserveโs 2% target for price increases. Gasoline costs have been climbing since December, reflecting rising costs of crude oil.
Consumer prices up 0.4% last month, biggest gain in 6 months
The Labor Department reported on Thursday, Dec. 10, that the gain in the consumer price index followed an unchanged reading in October and matched the 0.2% September advance. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)WASHINGTON โ U.S. consumer prices increased 0.4% in February, the biggest increase in six months, led by a sharp jump in gasoline prices. Over half of the increase came from a second monthly surge in gasoline prices, which rose 6.4% after a 7.4% jump in January. Gasoline costs have been climbing since December, reflecting rising costs of crude oil. Consumer prices are up 1.7% over the past year, a still moderate performance for inflation which is running below the Federal Reserve's 2% target for price increases.
Costco to raise starting hourly wage to $16; end hazard pay
(AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)NEW YORK โ Costco will increase its starting wage to $16 an hour, surpassing most of its main competitors. Jelinek said the starting wage for Costco employees would rise to $16 next week, up from $15 the company instituted two year ago. The starting wage scale puts Costco above competitors, including Amazon, Target and Best Buy, which have $15 minimum wages. Walmart's starting pay is $11 an hour. AdThe federal minimum wage is currently $7.25.
Costco car buying program sees jump in 2020 sales
The pandemic didnโt just send Costco members flocking to stores for toilet paper, canned goods, and disinfecting wipes in 2020, but rather vehicles through the big-box chainโs car-buying program. Even as car sales as a whole took a dive, Costco members bought more than 689,000 new and used vehicles through the its auto program last year, a 12% increase over 2019 sales according to Business Insider. Costco attributes that bump to an increase in the amount of โlimited-timeโ member-exclusive deals with brands like Audi, Chevrolet, and Volvo. All you have to do is go to the Costco auto program webpage and you can browse the available vehicles, calculate monthly payments, and read reviews. Once you provide your contact info and Costco membership number, you can go to participating dealership and you can buy or lease the vehicle with the Costco discount.
US consumer spending fell 0.2% in December in face of virus
Since making a brief bounce-back from the viral pandemic last spring, consumer spending has barely grown. Friday's government report on consumer spending showed that inflation by a measure preferred by the Fed rose 0.4% in December after no change in October and November. AdThe savings rate remained at an elevated 13.7% of after-tax income in December, up from 12.9% in November. In the final three months of 2020, consumer spending, which accounts for about 70% of the economy, grew at a 2.5% annual rate. AdโWe believe increased vaccinations, stable household finances and rebounding confidence will lift consumer spending growthโ this year, Daco said.
US consumer confidence rebounds in January
A sales associate helps customers as they consider the purchase of a big-screen television at a Costco warehouse on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, in Sheridan, Colo. U.S. consumer confidence fell to a reading of 96.1 in November as rising coronavirus cases pushed Americans confidence down to the lowest level since August. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)WASHINGTON โ U.S. consumer confidence rose in January as Americans became more optimistic about the future. The Conference Board reported Tuesday that its consumer confidence index increased to 89.3, a rebound from December when it dipped to 87.1. The present situation index weakened further, however, reflecting concerns over the resurgence of COVID-19. โThe slow rollout of the vaccines and the still raging pandemic continue to depress consumer confidence despite the prospect of further fiscal aid and a brighter and a brighter health situation,โ said Kathy Bostjancic, chief U.S. financial economist at Oxford Economics.
Consumer prices up 0.4% in December led by higher gas prices
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)WASHINGTON โ U.S. consumer prices rose 0.4% in December, led by a sharp rise in gasoline prices. For December, energy prices rose 4% with gasoline prices surging 8.4%. Even with that big jump, gasoline prices are 15.2% below where they were a year ago, when people were still commuting to work. Food costs rose 0.4% in December and are 3.9% higher than a year ago. Core inflation, excluding volatile food and energy, rose a slight 0.1% last month, and just 1.6% over the past 12 months.
During crucial holiday season, US consumer confidence slumps
โ A closely-watched gauge of U.S. consumer confidence tumbled in December as rising coronavirus cases dragged American optimism to its lowest level since the summer. However, rising pessimism is now spreading during the crucial holiday season, which could make or break a number of retailers, airlines, restaurants other sector that have been hammered financially during the pandemic. It may be an ominous sign for an economy in which consumer spending accounts for 70% of all economic economic activity. The index measuring consumersโ assessment of current business and labor market conditions also fell sharply, from 105.9 last month to 90.3 in December. It remains to be seen how Congress' $900 billion relief bill, which was passed Monday and too late for the survey, will affect consumer behavior this winter.
Q3 GDP estimate gets a slight upgrade to 33.4% growth
The U.S. economy expanded at a 33.4% annual pace from July through September, the Commerce Department said Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020 delivering the last of three estimates on the economys third-quarter performance. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, file)WASHINGTON โ The U.S. economy expanded at a record 33.4% annual pace from July through September, the Commerce Department said Tuesday, delivering the last of three estimates on the economyโs third-quarter performance. But it's likely that a resurgence in coronavirus cases slowed growth sharply during the last three months of 2020. Employers slashed 22 million jobs in March and April, then began to steadily recall furloughed workers. But the United States is still 9.8 million short of the jobs it had February, and hiring has slowed every month since June.
Fun advent calendars youโll want to snatch up this holiday season, guaranteed
Itโs not guaranteed that the store listed below will have these advent calendars in stock, so just note that you may want to call ahead to ensure your local Costco has the products weโre referencing. This advent calendar is perfect for anyone who loves to watch the movie during Halloween or Christmas. Trader JoeโsNot only does Trader Joeโs have advent calendars for your pup, but also for the kitty cat in your life. AldiAldi is the KING of advent calendars. The month of December is already pretty magical with the holiday spirit in the air, but these adult advent calendars just make it even better.
Costco shoppers with medical conditions now required to wear face coverings, company says
Costco changed its face mask policy earlier this week, and now all customers, even those with medical conditions, are required to wear face coverings. The policy change was announced Tuesday by company officials in a release on its website. All Costco members, guests and employees are required to wear a face mask and face shield when shopping at the locations. Costco members who canโt wear a face mask due to medical conditions are no longer exempt from the policy. Company officials said if a member has a medical condition that prevents them from wearing a face mask, they must wear a face shield.
Costco now selling COVID-19 saliva test kits online
SAN ANTONIO โ If youโre a Costco member and youโre looking for a less invasive COVID-19 test than the nasal swab, youโre in luck. Costco warehouses are now selling COVID-19 saliva test kits online, according to its website. Customers have two options to choose from: the COVID-19 Saliva PCR Test Kit with Video Observation at $139.99, or just the COVID-19 Saliva PCR Test Kit, for $129.99. If you purchase the saliva test kits, they will be delivered to your home or you can register for an in-pharmacy test, according to AZOVAโs website. Hereโs how the process will work:Youโll need to complete a health assessment and register for a lab order for each COVID-19 Saliva PCR test kit purchased on Costco.com .
San Antonio police still searching for getaway driver involved in Costco jewelry armed robbery
SAN ANTONIO โ San Antonio police are still searching for the second suspect involved in a jewelry armed robbery at a North Side Costco store. Joshua Lawrence Mullenix, 28, was identified as the getaway driver in the incident, according to an arrest affidavit. According to an arrest affidavit, a Costco employee watched Ricky Green, 29, enter the store and approach the jewelry case. After Green was apprehended, he identified Mullenix as the getaway driver and claimed it was his idea on which jewelry display he should break during the robbery, according to police. RELATED: Man arrested in connection to jewelry robbery at North Side Costco, police say
Man arrested in connection to jewelry robbery at North Side Costco, police say
SAN ANTONIO โ Update:A man accused of stealing jewelry from a North Side Costco store Saturday afternoon is now in San Antonio police custody. Green is accused of entering a Costco store and smashing jewelry cases before pulling out a handgun, authorities said. He stole an undetermined amount of jewelry and fled the scene in a vehicle with others, according to police. Green confessed to the robbery and was booked for aggravated robbery, according to police. Original:San Antonio police are looking for a masked man accused of trying to steal jewelry from a Costco on the North Side.
Have you seen this chicken? Reba took an accidental field trip to San Antonio Costco
Some well-mean Good Samaritans saved Reba from the parking lot and took her home. She made it all the way to the border... Del Rio, TX but sheโs coming home to us this weekend,โ Matthews told KSAT. Thatโs where she hopped out.โMatthews said he drove to Costco, started asking employees about a rogue chicken and some parking lot attendants told him ,โyes. Reba has been a family pet for a year and a half along with Wynonna and Patty who are also chickens. She would always jump into our lap to say hi and would follow us around the yard like a pet,โ Matthews said.
Costco stores will return to normal operating hours, beginning Monday
Costco will return to its normal operating hours, beginning Monday, May 4, as more businesses begin to reopen in the state. According to a statement on its website, most U.S. Costco warehouses and gas stations will return to their normal operating hours. For specific store hours, click here. Costco will also be implementing special operating hours for members ages 60 and older, or members with disabilities, according to its website. All Costco members and employees are required to wear a face covering at all times when in the warehouses.
Costco limits 2 shoppers per membership, changes store hours amid COVID-19 pandemic
Costco has changed its policy temporarily to allow only two shoppers per membership to enter a warehouse at the same time. Costco has made other recent changes to its policies in light of social distancing directives from government leaders as COVID-19 continues to spread. Costco warehouses now close at 6:30 p.m. on weekdays to allow for cleaning and restocking. The pharmacy will be open, but the Costco Food Court will be closed during these hours. Find a Costco warehouse near you.
Officials blame unnecessary panic for long lines, empty shelves
SAN ANTONIO โ Customers are finding increasingly long lines and empty shelves at many San Antonio-area grocery and wholesale stores like H-E-B and Costco amid the coronavirus pandemic. H-E-B closing all stores early to allow time to restock shelves, no need to panic, officials sayโIt took about 20 minutes to get through the line just to get into the store. Empty shelves at H-E-B (KSAT)H-E-B is adapting store hours in response to the massive increase of shoppers in an effort to better restock the shelves. Greg Abbott announced Saturday that certain state trucking regulations will be temporarily waived in an effort to help stores restock shelves even faster. Abbott declares statewide emergency over coronavirus pandemicยท Hereโs what President Trumpโs coronavirus emergency declaration doesยท What we know: San Antonio tourism hotspots impacted by the coronavirus
Costco suspends free food samples amid coronavirus
Donโt expect free food samples during your next Costco run. The chain is temporarily suspending the practice amid coronavirus fears. This has some customers worrying that those finger-licking-good food samples might be a bad idea right now. The company that handles Costcoโs free goodies confirms to Business Insider the practice is on hold. More on the coronavirus:The ultimate coronavirus guide: From preparedness and prevention to testing and treatmentEverything we know about coronavirus in TexasTrack live coronavirus updates with real-time map of confirmed cases, deathsCDC: 2 coronavirus patients cleared in San Antonio, now able to return home
Costco to ban non-members from food court
If you frequent the Costco food court for cheap hot dogs and pizza, but you are not a member, you arenโt going to be able to do that for much longer. Costco says buying items from the food court has always required a membership. According to a sign posted inside a California store, starting in March, the warehouse chain will require you have to have an active membership to visit the food court. No word on if the policy will apply at all locations. It costs about $60 per year but trust us... Itโs worth every penny!
A viral $75 Costco coupon is fake, Costco says. (So please stop reposting it)
(CNN) -- That $75 Costco coupon floating around Facebook that seems too good to be true is, in fact, too good to be true. The company debunked the coupon scam that promised users $75 off their purchase at the wholesale warehouse. The fraudulent offer cropped up on Facebook earlier this year, prompting users to click on a link unaffiliated with Costco to collect their $75 coupon. To access it, users would need to share the post on Facebook and input some personal information. Costco shares legit deals on its website and doesnโt accept any coupons that are not issued by Costco.