Costco Wholesale is bringing a long-standing in-store process into the digital era. The warehouse retail giant has announced that members will soon be able to order custom cakes and deli trays directly through its mobile app, eliminating the need for handwritten order forms submitted inside warehouses. Costco bakery mobile ordering will allow members to complete their purchases more conveniently, enhancing the overall shopping experience.
For years, customers wanting a custom cake or party platter had to physically visit a Costco location, fill out a paper form in the bakery or deli department, and then return days later to collect their order. While the system worked, many members considered it outdated and inconvenient, particularly those who lived far from a warehouse.
The new feature will allow shoppers to select cake flavors, sizes, designs, and personalized messages directly from their smartphones. Deli tray options will also be accessible through the app, streamlining party planning and event preparation. The change reflects Costco’s broader effort to modernize operations while maintaining its value-driven model.
Easing Customer Frustration
Customer frustration has been mounting in recent years as retail competitors expanded their digital capabilities. Costco bakery mobile ordering is expected to significantly reduce these friction points, minimizing errors often associated with handwritten forms, improving communication clarity, and providing customers with confirmation details directly through the platform.
The new app-based ordering system is expected to significantly reduce those friction points. By enabling digital submissions, Costco can also minimize errors often associated with handwritten forms, improve communication clarity, and provide customers with confirmation details directly through the platform.
Although the company has not specified an exact nationwide launch date, the feature is expected to roll out progressively across locations through 2026. Some members have already reported seeing the option appear within the app under grocery or bakery sections, suggesting a phased implementation strategy.
However, the retailer has not announced whether the traditional 24- to 48-hour preparation window for cakes and deli trays will change. Costco bakery mobile ordering is part of a wider digital push, reflecting the company’s investment in improving app functionality and overall member experience to better compete in an increasingly tech-driven retail environment.
Part of a Broader Digital Push
The bakery ordering update is part of a wider digital transformation underway at Costco. In recent years, the company has invested heavily in improving its app functionality and overall member experience. Executives have acknowledged the need to strengthen digital services to better compete in an increasingly tech-driven retail environment.
Beyond bakery upgrades, Costco has been working on refining search capabilities within its app, enhancing online shopping features, and exploring improvements to in-store efficiency, including self-checkout enhancements. These initiatives aim to balance convenience with the brand’s signature warehouse model.
Despite its reputation for resisting certain retail trends such as excessive product variety or flashy marketing, Costco has gradually embraced technology where it sees clear value for members. The addition of mobile ordering for custom cakes and deli trays signals a shift toward meeting customer expectations without compromising operational discipline.
For millions of loyal members, Costco bakery mobile ordering represents more than just a digital tweak. It marks the end of an era defined by paper slips and multiple warehouse visits—and the beginning of a more seamless, app-driven experience for everyday celebrations and gatherings.
As the rollout continues, Costco’s digital evolution may further reshape how members interact with the warehouse giant, blending convenience with the cost-saving model that has long defined its success.
