17 Costco Facts You Need to Know

By Ghuman

Introduction

Costco is one of the most popular and successful retail stores in the world. With over 500 stores in the United States alone, it is no surprise that Costco has become a household name. From its low prices to its wide selection of products, Costco has something for everyone. In this article, we will explore 17 Costco facts that you need to know. From its membership fees to its return policy, these facts will help you understand why Costco is so popular and successful. So, let’s get started!

17 Costco Facts You Need to Know

Costco is one of the most popular retail stores in the United States. It’s known for its low prices, wide selection of products, and excellent customer service. But there’s a lot more to Costco than meets the eye. Here are 17 facts about Costco that you need to know.

  • Costco was founded in 1983 by Jim Sinegal and Jeffrey Brotman.
  • Costco is the second largest retailer in the world, behind Walmart.
  • Costco has over 700 warehouses in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, and Spain.
  • Costco is the largest wine retailer in the United States.
  • Costco is the largest seller of organic foods in the United States.
  • Costco is the largest seller of hearing aids in the United States.
  • Costco is the largest seller of rotisserie chicken in the United States.
  • Costco is the largest seller of prescription drugs in the United States.
  • Costco is the largest seller of tires in the United States.
  • Costco is the largest seller of furniture in the United States.
  • Costco is the largest seller of diamonds in the United States.
  • Costco is the largest seller of optical products in the United States.
  • Costco is the largest seller of books in the United States.
  • Costco is the largest seller of office supplies in the United States.
  • Costco is the largest seller of home appliances in the United States.
  • Costco is the largest seller of gasoline in the United States.
  • Costco is the largest seller of gift cards in the United States.

These are just some of the facts about Costco that you need to know. Whether you’re a regular customer or just curious about the store, these facts will help you understand why Costco is so popular.

Ah, Costco! For my husband and me, making a visit to the shop is an occasion that we sit up for. We at all times have a listing—albeit a small one—with some necessities that we need to top off on. However many of the enjoyable comes from doing a “loop” across the retailer, hitting each single aisle and discovering “treasures” we by no means knew we needed. And on the way in which out, we should splurge on a scorching canine and soda or a slice of scorching pizza. We are able to feed our household of three for below $5—now that is a steal.

After all, Costco is aware of precisely what it is doing. From planting these aforementioned “treasures” to understanding we cannot resist hitting up the meals courtroom, there is a methodology behind Costco’s insanity.

And for extra, do not miss these 15 Basic American Desserts That Deserve a Comeback.

costco food court pizza
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When it is pizza evening in your own home, your first thought most likely is not to name up the Costco Pizza Hotline. (Sure, calling in a pizza order to Costco is a factor.) However possibly it is best to begin! These larger-than-life, delish slices are offered at greater than 400 Costcos in the USA; that implies that it is among the greatest pizza sellers within the nation. And should you marvel how the chain retains up with such a loopy demand, Costco has robots to spin the sauce proper onto the dough. Mama mia!

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If you end up anxious in regards to the apocalypse or some other extinction-level disaster, Costco is right here to ease your anxiousness. For a cool $4,000, you should buy an “Emergency Dice” that’s full with 30,000 servings of meals that may final you 25 years.

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costco bakery shelves of cakes and pies
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Keep in mind when Jason Biggs had his approach with a pie within the kitchen? Properly, in response to IMDb, the pie got here from Costco with love.

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bottles of costco wine on shelves
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Here is one on your fancy pals who flip their noses up at your membership. Costco is the world’s largest importer of high-end French wines and pulls in a single billion {dollars} in wine gross sales per 12 months, out-selling nearly all different wine retailers on the earth.

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Should you store at Costco only for the meals, then you understand that it looks like it takes eternally to get to your outsized tubs of pretzels and 20-packs of yogurt. Properly, there is a cause for that: Costco needs you to undergo their essential drag (referred to as the Race Monitor) first and hit each class of different gadgets offered (from electronics to clothes) earlier than you get to the contemporary and frozen meals. Sneaky! And beware of those different 40 Sneaky Methods at Grocery Shops.

aisle of costco spices
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A typical grocery store sells round 40,000 gadgets, whereas Costco solely sells about 4,000. It is useful as a result of you do not have to decide on between a complete shelf of varied manufacturers and varieties of a easy product, reminiscent of mustard. Costco has one choice, eliminating the stress of trying by way of a spread. However there’s a methodology to the insanity of single-selection procuring.

Costco calls these gadgets “triggers,” they usually’re issues like family staples (reminiscent of paper towels, detergents, and cereals). As for all the things else (like that luxurious purse on sale for 80% off the retail value), they’re known as “treasures” as a result of they alter steadily. Should you do not leap on it once you see it, it is more likely to be gone as quickly as the following day.

container of costco cashews in shopping cart
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Costco sells a whopping $300,000 price of cashews every week. Sure, every week! The chain sells so many of those nutritious nuts that it modified the containers from spherical to sq. in order that there could be more room on the cabinets to maintain up with demand. Bonus: Costco was in a position to considerably scale back its carbon footprint when the shop switched to the more-easily-shippable sq. container for the cashews.

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The new-dog-plus-soda combo at Costco is kind of the deal at simply $1.50. What’s way more important is that the value has remained the identical for greater than 30 years—and it is one of many solely issues on the earth that has no plans to present into value inflation! In the meantime, Costco sells greater than 100 million scorching canine yearly, which is greater than 4 instances what Main League Baseball offered at its ballparks in 2011.

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If you end up on the Costco in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, do not be alarmed once you see some very particular parking spots; the shop has designated horse and buggy parking for the Amish.

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One of many greatest myths is that you might want to be a member to buy at Costco. However this is the deal—all you need to do is ask your pal who’s a member to purchase you a Costco Money Card and then you definitely’re in. It is primarily a present card that provides you entry to the shop, too.

costco rotisserie chicken packages
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Have you learnt what smells wonderful once you lastly do make it to the grocery part of Costco? These contemporary rotisserie chickens. And Costco sells round 157,000 of them day-after-day. They go for $4.99 a hen, and even Costco is aware of that is a deal. The warehouse membership loses round $30-40 million per 12 months by not growing the value—however with such a loyal following, it is price it.

Costco wholesale shopping cart

Whereas discount searching is all part of the enjoyable of Costco, there’s a option to store even smarter when you’re there. Here is the deal: If the value ends in $0.97, meaning the merchandise is on clearance. And should you spot an asterisk within the high proper nook of a shelf? Which means the merchandise will not be coming again, so that you higher pull the set off and purchase it if you’d like it.

freezer aisle at costco

A pair received married within the frozen meals aisle of Costco, and it was a legit marriage ceremony. Robert and Meredith Bonilla met whereas procuring in the identical Costco part. However do not begin calling your native Costco to try to save a date; this isn’t the norm, and the couple needed to get particular permission.

boxes of kirkland signature beer
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Have to top off on alcohol for a giant occasion? If the liquor retailer at your native Costco has a separate entrance, you may stroll proper in—no membership card required. If it is inside the shop, you may at all times ask a pal to purchase you a Costco Money card and use that to purchase your booze. Cheers!

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The Costco “home model,” Kirkland Signature, is a superb worth. A lot of the merchandise are thought of “non-public label” and infrequently made in the identical factories as higher-priced manufacturers.

Psst! Discover out the 21 Instances You Ought to Select the Generic Model whereas grocery procuring!

oprah on cover of costco connection magazine

Simply because she’s a billionaire doesn’t suggest she would not love a deal. Oprah has promoted Costco on her discuss present earlier than and raves in regards to the nice offers, tasty meals, and luxurious clothes and jewellery you will discover. Simply take a look at this clip from her present in all its early 2000s glory—velour tracksuits and all!

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In line with a truth sheet from the corporate, “over 100 million individuals have a Costco membership card,” as of knowledge from 2019. That is lots of people keen to pay an annual charge to rack up the financial savings!

And once you’re cooking your groceries from Costco, do not miss these 52 Life-Altering Kitchen Hacks That’ll Make You Get pleasure from Cooking Once more.