If you’re not familiar with the Kirkland Signature Pumpkin Pie that’s sold exclusively at Costco, you might be surprised that it’s a 58-ounce, 12-inch pie that serves 10-16 people and sells for a mere $5.99. That a lot of pie for under 6 bucks! So, why is the pie so cheap? Costco is basically the king of loss leaders, and the Kirkland Signature Pumpkin Pie can be counted among one of those loss-leader products. A loss leader is a product that a retailer sells at a super-low price, or sometimes even at a loss (hence, the name), to draw shoppers in. The idea is that once you’re inside Costco’s doors, you’ll end up buying other items with higher profit margins. It’s less about making money on that one product and more about getting you through the door and filling your cart. Sadly, the Kirkland Signature Pumpkin Pie isn’t available 365 days a year, which is kind of what makes it so special. It typically goes on sale in the middle of September and usually sells out by early December. So, if you want to get your hands on a cheap pumpkin pie that is reportedly “divine,” you’d better get to Costco now.
