Costco just planted the 'death star' on Bud Light cases — a sign that it won't restock the beer amid controversy

https://finance.yahoo.com ^ | July 14, 2023

[11th_VA]

Shoppers at Costco have noticed an asterisk on the price tag for Bud Light beer across the beverage aisle. Experienced Kirkland members have seen the sign before and call it the “death star.” It could be an indication that one of the largest retailers in the country may be considering not restocking the troubled beer brand.

Here’s a closer look.

Casual shoppers would barely notice a small asterisk on a price display above a shelf. These days most of the attention is on the price. However, Kirkland members believe the asterisk has special significance for Costco’s supply chain decisions. The asterisk is often associated with items that are being discontinued.

These items are usually marked down to get rid of supply on the shelves. It’s a subtle sign to Costco employees not to restock an item after the inventory is depleted. Devoted shoppers look for the asterisk to spot deals and have even nicknamed it the “death star” on the Facebook page Costco Fans.

Now the star is being spotted over cans of Bud Light. “Is it just me…Or am I the only one who noticed that Costco has applied their infamous 'Star of Death' on Bud Light being sold!” said one Twitter user.

Shoppers believe it means the Bud Light cans could soon be taken off Costco’s shelves.

The company hasn’t acknowledged these claims directly. But if true, BudLight sales could see a significant impact...

[AndyJackson]

*Some dude I know

I hear that voice too.

[stubernx98]

Couldn’t find any at Fred Meyer either!

[drop 50 and fire for effect]

Can Costco put the death star on that creepy it, Mulvaney?

Mr. Mulvaney’s sins are personal and are ultimately nothing more than some seriously questionable life choices. InBev made choices that will kill a brand, put people out of work, and ultimately destroy shareholder value. Those corporate leaders who made and backed this horrid choice, should suffer the consequences. But they won’t.

[Adder]

It may mean its only gone for a while.

Other items that got the star have later returned such as 505 Southwestern Chili Sauce and at my particular store, French’s mustard. [They simply refuse to stock mustard...5 kinds mayo and 2 ketchups but mustard is a no no]. The star also came for Franks hot sauce...we’ll see if it comes back...

[Disambiguator]

It was a friend of mine who said that, but I’m not going to reveal his identity.

[drSteve78]

DemocRAT Party🌟

Shirley, some participants will drink free beer at A political rally. /s

[EEGator]

Drink 40’s of Olde English 800, good stuff.

[drSteve78]

(Apologies for the large images, they are what I could find.)

For those of us hearing impaired, and on a small screen, the image source seems appropriate .

[Paladin2]

“They simply refuse to stock mustard”

How’s the Relish supply?

[tennmountainman]

Good riddance to AB and Bud Light.

[GaryCrow]

I think the Bud Light brand is done for. They probably could have saved it with a quick acknowledgement that they'd screwed up and an apology within the first week but instead they doubled down on stupid and now it's forever tarnished as the tranny or gay beer. No self respecting man in his 20's or 30's is going to be seen by his friends drinking it and that's not going to change. That's who buys 90% of it, pissing off them to appease 2% of the population is a textbook case of the dumbest marketing moves in history. Alissa Heinerscheid's picture will be forever in the textbooks on how to lose billions by being a virtue signaling idiot.

They should probably shut the whole brand down and make it disappear for six months or so. They can bring back the same formula under a completely new name and label, something that doesn't remotely look or remind anyone of Bud Light. Let's be honest, 9 out of 10 people can't tell the difference in Bud Light, Coors Light, Natural Light, Miller Lite, etc. It's all cheaply brewed crap beer that tastes the same as long as it's cold.

It's good this is happening. For far too long big businesses have gotten away with insulting their customers, treating them like idiots, and trying to dictate their values to them instead of honoring the customer's values. Stupid should hurt.

[vetvetdoug]

I read several articles that Mr. Mulvaney took his fleas to Peru.

[airedale]

Not true in Van Nuys Ca COSTCO which is just down the road from the Bud brewery in Van Nuys. I was in the store this afternoon and looked. I don’t drink it. Ii prefer Stout, Porter and Brown Ale. In a bit I’m going to have an Old Rasputin from North Coast Brewery

[Adder]

Not too good,,,but I devour mustard with my pretzels.
Relish is only available in a Heinz picnic pack.

The mustard thing is just personal with me...what warehouse store doesn’t have mustard? It was just absurd to me. It took 2 years for them to restock Frenchs...now it has the star again.

Dammit.

;]

[brewer1516]

Slightly off topic...just purchased the Kirkland signature Islay Scotch. OH my. What a stellar Islay! Smoky with a hint of brine. Nice, velvety viscosity. And weighs in at 50% ABV (100 proof). Very reminiscent of Ardbeg 10.

Also highly recommended their kirkland 20 and 22 Speyside single malts. Simply amazing. Especially at the Costco price point.

[Lurker]

Thanks! I will look for those.

L

[brewer1516]

They also have a 12 year blended Scotch that’s very drinkable. Great for cocktails, and sipping after you’ve had a dram or two of the premium spirits.

[piytar]

And if I know the new lite beer is an InBev product, I still won’t buy it.

[yawningotter]

If I drank beer(adult beverages taste nasty to me)I would be boycotting Bud Light.

[11th_VA]

Ditto !!!