Costco’s Spring Lineup Has a Side Most People Miss
Chocolate-Covered Strawberries From a Brand With a Following
Tru Fru, a brand that built its reputation largely through specialty and natural grocery channels, has a presence at Costco this spring with its milk chocolate-covered strawberries. The product line is known for using real fruit that’s been hyper-dried before being enrobed in chocolate, which produces a different texture than standard freeze-dried or fresh-dipped versions. The result is a snack that sits somewhere between candy and fruit — crunchy, intensely flavored, and sweet without being purely confection. Shoppers familiar with the product from retailers like Whole Foods have noted that Costco’s pricing represents a better value per ounce than specialty grocery pricing. For consumers who don’t typically shop at natural grocery stores, finding Tru Fru at Costco is a straightforward way to access a product that previously required a separate shopping trip. The spring timing aligns with the brand’s fruit-forward profile.
Kirkland’s Refrigerated Tomato Basil Soup
Costco’s Kirkland Signature label has added a Tomato Basil Soup to its refrigerated section, and early shopper response has been consistently positive. The soup is positioned in the open refrigerator case rather than the shelf-stable aisle, which signals a fresher product formulation with a shorter shelf life but typically better texture and flavor. Shoppers who have tried it describe the flavor as clean and well-balanced — not over-salted, which is a common complaint about many commercial tomato soups. The basil integration reads as genuine rather than artificial, and the texture is described as smooth without being watery. For households that eat soup regularly as a quick meal or side, a Kirkland Signature version of a classic like tomato basil is a practical staple. The refrigerated format also tends to reheat more evenly than shelf-stable cartons, which matters for the finished bowl experience.
Starburst Jellybeans in Bulk for Easter Season
Seasonal candy at Costco typically arrives well before the holiday, and this spring is no exception. Starburst Jellybeans are currently available in the large bin format, timed directly to Easter. Starburst Jellybeans have a specific texture profile that distinguishes them from standard jellybeans — the shell is thinner and the interior is softer, which most fans of the product prefer over the firmer, waxier texture of brands like Jelly Belly. The fruit flavors track closely to the standard Starburst candy line, which gives them a familiar taste profile with broad appeal. At Costco sizing, the quantity is considerably larger than what’s available at standard grocery or drugstore channels, making it a practical buy for households expecting guests, putting together Easter baskets, or simply stocking up on a seasonal item that disappears from shelves after the holiday window closes. Availability will be tied to Easter timing.
Kirkland’s New Energy Drink and the Celsius Comparison
One of the more talked-about new items this spring is a Kirkland Signature Sparkling Energy Drink, currently available in three flavors: orange, tropical, and peach. The product is new to Costco’s lineup, and shoppers have been quick to draw comparisons to Celsius, the performance energy drink brand that has seen significant mainstream growth over the past few years. Celsius is widely sold at Costco, so the introduction of a Kirkland Signature alternative in a similar format follows the warehouse model of offering a private-label option alongside established national brands. The flavor profiles — citrus, tropical fruit, and stone fruit — align with the kinds of light, refreshing energy drink profiles that have driven category growth. Whether the formulation mirrors Celsius in terms of active ingredients isn’t confirmed from available shopper reports, but the positioning and format suggest it’s aimed at the same consumer. At Kirkland Signature pricing, the cost per can will almost certainly be lower than the branded equivalent.