Costco Wholesale moves custom cake and deli tray ordering to app and website

Costco moves bakery and deli orders into its app and website

Costco Wholesale is replacing a decades‑old, paper‑based in‑store system for custom cake and deli tray orders with a digital ordering feature on its mobile app and website. Executives describe the previous process as "clunky" and say the upgrade will streamline orders from placement to pickup, reducing extra trips for members who travel long distances.

App overhaul puts custom cakes online

Costco is rolling out an "Order Grocery/Bakery" option that lets members place orders for sheet cakes and fully customizable cakes — choosing sizes, shapes, flavors, designs and inscriptions from a catalog — through the company’s app and website. CEO Ron Vachris says the company is "very excited about what we have coming in the app" and that online ordering for cakes and deli trays is "coming" with "great adoption right out of the chute." The retailer does not give a full rollout timetable, but local reporting and company comments indicate members can expect the feature to be phased into stores and available more broadly by the end of 2026.

Costco says the digital workflow mirrors existing pickup timing, meaning cakes and deli trays should be ready within 24 to 48 hours if the online process follows current store procedures. Early feedback during phased rollouts is described as enthusiastic, and executives frame the change as part of a wider push to modernize customer experiences and reduce longstanding frustrations. The upgrade specifically addresses member complaints about making multiple trips to warehouses to place and collect orders, a pain point raised frequently on member forums and social media.

Member refunds for third‑party gift cards

Separately, Costco notifies members of a recall and refund program for Synergy World restaurant gift cards sold at warehouses after the issuer abruptly halts redemptions and files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Purchasers of cards dated Oct. 27, 2025, through Jan. 26, 2026, are eligible for refunds; the company urges members to retain receipts and follow the member letter for refund instructions while the full scope of unredeemed balances awaits bankruptcy filings.

Convenience drive continues

The bakery ordering move joins other recent app upgrades as Costco pursues digital solutions to lower friction for members, particularly those who travel significant distances to warehouses. Executives say simplifying ordering and eliminating unnecessary visits are priorities as the company phases the system into locations and gauges member adoption.