With Christmas Day fast approaching on December 25, 2025, last-minute shoppers across the UK are discovering an unexpected destination for their festive feast essentials. The wholesale giant Costco is generating significant buzz online, with consumers declaring its dessert selection the 'best' they've seen this year, even drawing comparisons to the traditionally popular offerings from Marks & Spencer.
Shoppers Hail Costco's Festive Range
Enthusiastic posts in the Food Finds UK Facebook group and from the Instagram account @newfoodspotteruk have showcased Costco's impressive array of Christmas desserts. The viral photos highlight a variety of show-stopping treats that have captured the public's imagination just in time for the holidays.
The praised selection includes several standout items:
- Chocolate Tuxedo Bar Cake priced at £17.99
- Fruit Cake Bar for £13.99
- Tiramisu Bar Cake costing £12.99
- Raspberry and Almond Roulade at £13.99
- A traditional Yule Log for £16.99
- Dubai chocolate-style mousses priced at £6.99
The range also features gluten-free Doughlicious Rainbow Double Chocolate Cookies, mince pies, festive cupcakes, and a giant butter brioche tear-and-share bread for £5.99. Feedback on social media has been overwhelmingly positive, with shopper Sonia Worton commenting that it was the 'best selection of desserts I’ve seen this year, something a bit different.'
Martin Lewis's Stamp of Approval
The warehouse retailer's festive credentials have received a significant boost from none other than Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis. In his recent newsletter, Lewis highlighted Costco as a real 'winner' for Christmas shopping, attributing this to the retailer being 'very competitive on brands.'
His team's research, based on a random sample of 15 items in November 2025, found Costco was the 'cheapest' for 14 out of 15 branded Christmas products. Notable bargains included:
- Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Champagne (75cl): £40.78 at Costco versus £49 elsewhere.
- 5kg of Albert Bartlett Rooster Potatoes: £4.99 at Costco, with the lowest competitor price at £5.58.
- A pack of 40 Hallmark Christmas Cards: £11.98 at Costco compared to £13 at other retailers.
This endorsement has solidified Costco's reputation as a savvy choice for festive provisioning, beyond just its dessert offerings.
How to Access Costco's Festive Finds
For those inspired to visit, it's important to note that Costco operates as a membership-based wholesale warehouse. Access isn't open to the general public without a subscription. An annual membership starts from £42 (£35 plus VAT), which permits both online and in-warehouse shopping and includes two membership cards.
Eligibility criteria are specific, extending to business owners, managers, and employees (current or retired) from qualifying sectors. These include civil service, police, health, education, airlines, fire and rescue, local government, and the post office. A full list of eligible professions is available on the Costco website. With 29 stores across the UK, for those who qualify and are feeding a large household or hosting a party, the membership can offer substantial value.
As the clock ticks down to Christmas Day, the consensus among savvy shoppers is clear: for a standout festive spread that impresses both in quality and value, Costco has emerged as a surprising but undeniable contender for the title of this year's Christmas shopping champion.
