This really is an economic crime. If the objection is that people will wait until the cookies come up for sale at the lower price, then at least three answers are to tighten up the sales projection methodology to reduce the supply, do a better job on distribution, or cut prices to raise the demand.
I know people who only buy wrapping paper immediately after Christmas because it’s on sale, and the wrapping paper industry seems to be ok with that. Cookies well within their expiration date should be able to be marketed profitably without hurting regular sales.
They're just following BHO's example in "Cash for 'Clunkers'".
Perfectly good automobiles deliberately removed from the lower end of the market...