Supermarket Sleuths: Eggs, toilet paper, and five other items most Costco customers put in their trolleys

Shopping at Costco is always a bit of an adventure.

Even seasoned Costco shoppers who visit the discount wholesale retailer find it challenging to avoid unplanned purchases, such as large-size baked goods, toys, boxes of snack foods and other novelty items.

While my own trip to the Marsden Park store in Sydney resulted in two unplanned giant pizzas and a packet of chocolate chunk cookies, I did pick up the chicken thighs, rotisserie chicken and passata that was on my list.

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On the way out, my partner Shamus got himself his regular snack of chicken tenders and chips, and a chocolate chip cookie for me, because you can never have enough cookies.

It was really busy, though, so I was waiting for him to get his food for a good 15 minutes.

We'd headed there on Saturday morning, which has to be one of Costco's busiest times of the week.

While I was waiting there, I began looking inside other people's trolleys.

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I was standing near the food kiosk next to the checkout, and customers had to push their trolleys past me to join the line to have their receipts checked before they exited.

Some common themes emerged, as well as hilariously unusual product combinations. And sorry some of the photos are blurry, but most of the trolleys were in motion when I secretly snapped these pics.

Eggs and toilet paper

Kirkland Bath Tissue in a 48-pack was in most of the trolleys I spotted.

It is one of the best bargains at Costco, costing just $42.99, which works out to be $0.80 per roll, and it is three-ply so it is excellent quality.

Some customers had chosen Quilton toilet paper instead, which sells for $33.48 for a pack of 48 and works out to be even cheaper at $0.60 per roll.

However, it is such a large pack, and those who placed it in the trolley carriage found themselves struggling to fit in other large items.

Then there were those clever shoppers who took advantage of the bottom shelf of their Costco trolleys and place it there, freeing up the carriage for more fun finds.

Alongside the bath tissue was commonly a pack of eggs, a combination that doesn't seem to make sense when you think about it.

But when you remember the toilet paper shortage during the pandemic, coupled with the current egg shortage, it begins to make more sense.

Eggs at Costco cost $11.79 for a 30-pack of cage eggs, $12.69 for cage-free, and free-range eggs are $13.69.

These sell quickly and there is a limit of one pack per membership.

Cleaning products and toiletries

Plenty of Costco customers were also stocking up on cleaning products and toiletries including tampons, soap and wipes.

I spotted bulk purchases of laundry liquid and other cleaning products, and an epic roll of Chux wipes measuring 65m by 30cm for $24.99.

I suspect professional cleaners and small businesses stock up on cleaning supplies here.

Some shoppers had also picked up Kirkland Ultra laundry liquid in a 5.73l container selling for $24.99, as well as stocking up on regular brands of toiletries, like Head and Shoulders shampoo and conditioner at $28.99 for 1.8l.

Fun snack foods

Snack foods are the undoing of many a Costco customer with the best of intentions.

Coupled with cleaning products, this shopper also picked up a packet of Cheeto Puffs which, if you haven't tried them, are very easy to polish off a giant pack of.

This pack is 400g and costs $6.49.

Then there are snacks like Pringles, Mother Earth Oat Slices, and Healtheries.

Pringles Minis Sour Cream & Onion in a bulk pack of 30 costs $14.99.

Oat Slices are selling in a pack of 36 x 40g for $22.99.

Delicious treats

The treats don't end there.

On the weekend I visited Costco at Marsden Park, and there were multiple displays of discounted Krispy Kreme donuts.

They were selling for $15.99 for a pack of 12, and several customers gave in to temptation, judging from my observations.

Rotisserie chickens and bread

Costco Kirkland rotisserie chickens were also popular, despite the recent price increase from from $6.99 to $7.99.

Some people bought more than one, which is a brilliant idea because you can eat one for lunch or dinner on the day of purchase and save the other for soups, casseroles, sandwiches, soups and so many other meals.

And with those delicious roast chooks, you need some good bread. Costco has endless options, from rolls to slices to flatbread.

Odd combinations

It's fun to spot the odd combinations.

This one was my favourite: Coke and cat litter, plus giant marshmallows.

Or how about a portable clothes drying rack or two, to go with your Primo ham sandwiches?

Bagels, croissants and laundry liquid and fabric softener made up another trolley that perfectly outlined that shopper's afternoon.

Judging from the nappies on the bottom rack of their trolley, they likely have a lot of children's laundry to do. What better snack than a croissant or a bagel to make that more fun?

A pack of Kirkland Signature French Butter Croissant in a 12-pack cost $13.00, while Kirkland Signature bagels in plain, blueberry or other flavours cost $7.99 to $9.99.

What do you typically buy during your Costco adventures? Let me know at jabi@nine.com.au.

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