Shopping at Costco can look completely different depending on the country — here are all the main differences (2024)

Table of Contents

A Costco in Los Angeles has everything Costco is known for having. Including vast isles filled with food and drink items. All the technology you could ever need. A wide selection of clothing. And things you never knew you needed in bulk, like 72 Eggo Homestyle waffles. There's also a "small batch" of Kentucky straight bourbon. And some things you never knew you needed at all, like this electric fireplace. Most of the world's Costco warehouses are in the US and Canada. But in Canada, Costco is the only warehouse club store. That means that in Canada, Costco doesn't have to compete with other stores like Sam's Club or BJ's Wholesale. So Costco does really well in Canada. In fact, it's the second-largest retailer in all of Canada after Walmart. While Costco warehouses around the world have many local vendors supplying their products, Costco Canada's selection may be more like Costco warehouses in the US than any other country. And this is because Costco Canada gets some of its vendors from the US. "If we notice in the US something's doing extremely well, and it makes sense with what we know our member wants today, we'll call that vendor and say, 'Want to come up in Canada and meet with us?'" a senior food VP at Costco told Canadian Grocer. Across the pond, Costco has 28 locations in the UK, one of which is in Manchester, England. Costco works a bit different in the UK. Aside from plenty of UK brands, one other trait sets UK Costco warehouses apart. In the UK, Costco memberships are cheaper, but they're not for everyone. In order to get a membership at Costco in the UK, you have to have one of only a few different occupations. The different occupations range from finance to public service, and they can all be found on Costco's website. This is because, in the UK, Costco keeps a "low profile," and only wants customers with "steadier jobs," according to the Guardian. And the result is a lower membership fee. Across the globe, Costco has 26 stores in Japan. In Japan's Costco stores, you'll see both English and Japanese languages on products and throughout the store. While sections like tech are pretty similar to other Costco stores ... ... the significant differences come in the seafood section, as you might've guessed, where this crab was on sale for almost $200. There's even seafood incorporated into their prepared foods, like this pizza, which has shrimp and squid on it. Costco in Japan is also known for its meat section, which includes beef bulgogi, a product that isn't sold in Costco warehouses in the US. Also, in Japan, Costco warehouses are open 364 days a year — every day except January 1, unlike US locations, which close for major holidays. Just southwest of Japan, Costco in China has a really interesting situation. In all of China, there is only one Costco. And it just opened in the summer of 2019. Opening day at Costco Shanghai was extremely crowded and chaotic. In fact, the sheer volume of members at Costco Shanghai's opening day broke records. So much so that the warehouse had to close early. In Shanghai, Costco's customers are drawn to the meat section for its low prices ... ... especially those rotisserie chickens. After such a crazy opening day, Costco plans to open another store in Shanghai, China. Just southeast of China, Costco has 13 locations in Taiwan. This one is in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. It has an escalator that holds shopping carts ... ... and ads line the walls in light-up boxes. About two-fifths of the products in Taiwan's Costco warehouses come from the US. Some of their locally sourced items include these fresh cakes that come in many flavors. Far south of Taiwan, Australia has 11 Costco locations. All Costco warehouses locally source vendors, and Australia's Costco warehouses are no different. In fact, most of the produce in Australia's Costco warehouses is locally grown. And Costco sells Australian Angus beef, which also supports the local farming industry. This particular Australian Costco has a shockingly huge home section, according to Business Insider. Like in the other countries, Australia's Costco warehouses look like Costco warehouses in the US, but some key differences are worth noting if you're a traveling Costco member. FAQs References

There are 776 Costco warehouses in the world. Sure, most of them are in the US. But 237 of them are not.
The Costco shopping experience varies from country to country, based on the resources in the area as well as what shoppers prefer in different countries.
On average, 65% of the merchandise at a Costco was sourced locally, making the majority of products specific to each country.
Here’s how shopping at Costco in the US compares to six other countries, including Canada, China, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, and the UK.
Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.

A Costco in Los Angeles has everything Costco is known for having.

Foto: A Costco in Los Angeles, California.sourceKevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Source: Business Insider

Including vast isles filled with food and drink items.

Foto: The inside of a Costco in Los Angeles, California.sourceDave Johnson

Source: Business Insider

All the technology you could ever need.

Foto: The tech section at a Costco in Los Angeles, California.sourceDave Johnson

Source: Business Insider

A wide selection of clothing.

Foto: The clothing section at a Costco in Los Angeles, California.sourceDave Johnson

Source: Business Insider

And things you never knew you needed in bulk, like 72 Eggo Homestyle waffles.

Foto: Eggos in the frozen section at a Costco in Los Angeles, California.sourceDave Johnson

Source: Business Insider

There's also a "small batch" of Kentucky straight bourbon.

Foto: A lot of whiskey for sale at a Costco in Los Angeles, California.sourceDave Johnson

Source: Business Insider

And some things you never knew you needed at all, like this electric fireplace.

Foto: An electric fireplace for sale in a Costco in Los Angeles, California.sourceDave Johnson

Source: Business Insider

Most of the world's Costco warehouses are in the US and Canada. But in Canada, Costco is the only warehouse club store.

Foto: A Costco entrance in Toronto, Canada.sourceZoran Karapancev/Shutterstock

Source: Narcity, Canadian Grocer, CBC

That means that in Canada, Costco doesn't have to compete with other stores like Sam's Club or BJ's Wholesale.

Foto: Costco bakery section in Hamilton, Canada.sourceAlastair Wallace/Shutterstock

Source: Narcity, Canadian Grocer, CBC

So Costco does really well in Canada.

Foto: The food court at a Costco in Toronto, Canada.sourcedennzin/Shutterstock

Source: Narcity, Canadian Grocer, CBC

In fact, it's the second-largest retailer in all of Canada after Walmart.

Foto: The tech section in a Costco in Hamilton, Canada.sourceAlastair Wallace/Shutterstock

Source: Narcity, Canadian Grocer, CBC

While Costco warehouses around the world have many local vendors supplying their products, Costco Canada's selection may be more like Costco warehouses in the US than any other country.

Foto: Costco bakery section in Hamilton, Canada.sourceAlastair Wallace/Shutterstock

And this is because Costco Canada gets some of its vendors from the US.

Foto: A tire section in Costco, Toronto.sourcedennizn/Shutterstock

Source: Narcity, Canadian Grocer, CBC

"If we notice in the US something's doing extremely well, and it makes sense with what we know our member wants today, we'll call that vendor and say, 'Want to come up in Canada and meet with us?'" a senior food VP at Costco told Canadian Grocer.

Foto: The clothing section in a Costco in Hamilton, Canada.sourceAlastair Wallace/Shutterstock

Source: Narcity, Canadian Grocer, CBC

Across the pond, Costco has 28 locations in the UK, one of which is in Manchester, England.

Foto: The Costco in Manchester, England.sourceAlastair Wallace/Shutterstock

Source: Forbes, The Guardian, The Kitchn

Costco works a bit different in the UK. Aside from plenty of UK brands, one other trait sets UK Costco warehouses apart.

Foto: Customers inside the Costco in Manchester, England.sourceAlastair Wallace/Shutterstock

Source: Forbes, The Guardian

In the UK, Costco memberships are cheaper, but they're not for everyone.

Foto: The bakery section at the Costco in Manchester, England.sourceAlastair Wallace/Shutterstock

Source: Forbes, The Guardian, Costco

In order to get a membership at Costco in the UK, you have to have one of only a few different occupations.

Foto: Customers inside the Costco in Manchester, England.sourceAlastair Wallace/Shutterstock

Source: Forbes, The Guardian, Costco

The different occupations range from finance to public service, and they can all be found on Costco's website.

Foto: Customers inside the Costco in Manchester, England.sourceAlastair Wallace/Shutterstock

Source: Forbes, The Guardian, The Kitchn

This is because, in the UK, Costco keeps a "low profile," and only wants customers with "steadier jobs," according to the Guardian. And the result is a lower membership fee.

Foto: The clothing section in Costco in Manchester, England.sourceAlastair Wallace/Shutterstock

Source: Forbes, The Guardian, The Kitchn

Across the globe, Costco has 26 stores in Japan.

Foto: A Costco in Chiba, Japan.sourceEd Snowman/Shutterstock

Source: Business Insider

In Japan's Costco stores, you'll see both English and Japanese languages on products and throughout the store.

Foto: The tech section at a Costco in Chiba, Japan.sourceEd Snowman/Shutterstock

Source: Business Insider

While sections like tech are pretty similar to other Costco stores ...

Foto: The tech section at a Costco in Chiba, Japan.sourceEd Snowman/Shutterstock

Source: Business Insider

... the significant differences come in the seafood section, as you might've guessed, where this crab was on sale for almost $200.

There's even seafood incorporated into their prepared foods, like this pizza, which has shrimp and squid on it.

Foto: A pizza in a Japanese Costco has shellfish on it.sourceFacebook/Michael Gozzard

Source: Business Insider

Costco in Japan is also known for its meat section, which includes beef bulgogi, a product that isn't sold in Costco warehouses in the US.

Foto: The meat section at a Costco in Japan.sourceAP Photo/Itsuo Inouye

Source: Business Insider, Forbes

Also, in Japan, Costco warehouses are open 364 days a year — every day except January 1, unlike US locations, which close for major holidays.

Foto: A Costco parking lot in Chiba, Japan.sourceEd Snowman/Shutterstock

Source: Business Insider

Just southwest of Japan, Costco in China has a really interesting situation.

Foto: Shopping bags at Costco Shanghai.sourceCabagin/Shutterstock

Source: Business Insider

In all of China, there is only one Costco.

Foto: There is one Costco in Shanghai, China.sourceGoogle Maps

And it just opened in the summer of 2019.

Foto: The Costco in Shanghai, China.sourceAly Song/Reuters

Source: Business Insider

Opening day at Costco Shanghai was extremely crowded and chaotic.

Foto: A crowded opening day at the Costco in Shanghai, China.sourceAly Song/Reuters

Source: Business Insider

In fact, the sheer volume of members at Costco Shanghai's opening day broke records.

Foto: A crowded opening day at the Costco in Shanghai, China.sourceHECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images

Source: Business Insider

So much so that the warehouse had to close early.

Foto: A crowded opening day at the Costco in Shanghai, China.sourceAly Song/Reuters

Source: Business Insider

In Shanghai, Costco's customers are drawn to the meat section for its low prices ...

Foto: A crowded opening day at the Costco in Shanghai, China.sourceAly Song/Reuters

Source: Business Insider

... especially those rotisserie chickens.

Foto: Rotisserie chickens in Costco's Shanghai location on opening day.sourceCabagin/Shutterstock

Source: Business Insider

After such a crazy opening day, Costco plans to open another store in Shanghai, China.

Foto: A crowded opening day at the Costco in Shanghai, China.sourceAly Song/Reuters

Source: Business Insider, China Knowledge

Just southeast of China, Costco has 13 locations in Taiwan. This one is in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Foto: The Costco in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.sourceAndy.LIU/Shutterstock

Source: The Wall Street Journal, Vice

It has an escalator that holds shopping carts ...

Foto: The main elevator in the Costco in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.sourceAndy.LIU/Shutterstock

Source: The Wall Street Journal, Vice

... and ads line the walls in light-up boxes.

Foto: Ads on the walls of the Costco in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.sourceAndy.LIU/Shutterstock

Source: The Wall Street Journal, Vice

About two-fifths of the products in Taiwan's Costco warehouses come from the US.

Foto: The frozen section in the Costco in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.sourceAndy.LIU/Shutterstock

Source: The Wall Street Journal, Vice

Some of their locally sourced items include these fresh cakes that come in many flavors.

Foto: Fresh cakes come in all different flavors at Costco in Taiwan.sourceAndy.LIU/Shutterstock

Source: The Wall Street Journal, Vice

Far south of Taiwan, Australia has 11 Costco locations.

Foto: A Costco on a cloudy day in Sydney, Australia.sourceCarrigan English/Business Insider

Source: Business Insider

All Costco warehouses locally source vendors, and Australia's Costco warehouses are no different.

Foto: The clothing section at a Costco in Sydney, Australia.sourceCarrigan English/Business Insider

Source: Business Insider

In fact, most of the produce in Australia's Costco warehouses is locally grown.

Foto: The produce section at a Costco in Sydney, Australia.sourceCarrigan English/Business Insider

Source: Business Insider

And Costco sells Australian Angus beef, which also supports the local farming industry.

Foto: The meat section at a Costco in Sydney, Australia.sourceCarrigan English/Business Insider

Source: Business Insider

This particular Australian Costco has a shockingly huge home section, according to Business Insider.

Foto: The home section at a Costco in Sydney, Australia.sourceCarrigan English/Business Insider

Source: Business Insider

Like in the other countries, Australia's Costco warehouses look like Costco warehouses in the US, but some key differences are worth noting if you're a traveling Costco member.

Foto: A Costco in Sydney, Australia.sourceCarrigan English/Business Insider

Source: Business Insider

Shopping at Costco can look completely different depending on the country — here are all the main differences (2024)

FAQs

Do different Costcos have different things? ›

While items like Kirkland-brand bottled water can be found at every warehouse, no two Costco locations sell exactly the same products for the same prices. In fact, stores in the same city or even right next to each other offer different merchandise and often at different prices based on each store's management.

Tell Me More ›

Why is Costco different? ›

Bryant, 2023) The last main reason Costco is different from traditional retailers is their membership services portfolio. Costco members get access to insurance, travel options, and other services not traditionally associated with a retailer.

Show Me More ›

Are some Costcos better than others? ›

Overall, it seems like Costco shoppers are consistently pleased with their experience, but some locations are just that much better. As for the lowest-rated Costco locations? New York and Hawaii didn't score as highly as some of the other warehouses, but shoppers aren't cutting up their club cards any time soon.

Get More Info ›

Is Costco warehouse different from Costco? ›

Costco warehouse clubs have different rules than Costco.com. You'll typically pay more when you buy items at Costco.com versus when you shop in the warehouse club. You'll have more payment options online, though, as well as access to a larger selection of items.

Learn More Now ›

Are Costco deals the same everywhere? ›

Many factors play into why there can be price differences on the same items at different Costco warehouse locations. Our location managers and buying teams keep a close watch on inventory and pricing. At times, our suppliers may adjust item prices on additional shipments.

Know More ›

Which Costco location is bigger? ›

Currently, the largest Costco store as of now is in Salt Lake City and sits at 250,000 square feet.

Why do Asians go to Costco? ›

With Asian Americans' larger households and tendency to buy in bulk, Costco has been a mainstay for years, experts said.

Who is the biggest competitor to Costco? ›

Costco Wholesale Corp's (COST) main competitors in the highly competitive retail market of large discount stores are Walmart Inc. (WMT) and Target Corporation (TGT). These companies are also sometimes classified as consumer defensive stocks.

Read The Full Story ›

Why does everyone love Costco? ›

“The store boasts a wide range of premium-quality products at prices that are hard to beat, with their Kirkland Signature brand being a customer favorite,” said Susan Anderson, founder of The Worthy Goods, a guide for consumers looking to make conscious purchasing decisions.

Learn More ›

What are the cons of Costco? ›

While a Costco membership can save you money on bulk purchases, you risk food waste. Costco gas is competitively priced, but driving a distance to the store could negate that savings. The store's return policy is generous, but its wide range of inventory could open the door to impulse buys.

Read On ›

What is the top seller at Costco? ›

Costco's best-selling item is its Kirkland Signature Bath Tissue. It sells more than a billion rolls every year, bringing in over $400 million dollars in revenue. Costco's toilet paper is thicker and more absorbent than most other brands. It is also less expensive per sheet than many other brands.

Tell Me More ›

Why is Sam's Club better than Costco? ›

Costco is a publicly traded company, while Sam's Club is a subsidiary of Walmart. Costco's membership fees are more expensive and the prices of basic products at Sam's Club are generally cheaper. Costco has more stores worldwide, but Sam's Club has more stores in the U.S.

Know More ›

How can you tell if Costco has something in warehouse? ›

You can also find product availability at your local Costco warehouse by:

Visiting the membership counter at your local Costco in person.
Calling your local warehouse and choosing the phone menu option for Membership.
Using the Contact Us options on this page.

Feb 12, 2024

Know More ›

Is Costco cheaper than Walmart? ›

Walmart vs Costco: Overall Pricing

Removing all other factors, Walmart and Costco have almost negligible price differences in most of their products. Things like ground beef, chicken breast, and detergent are so close in price that the difference is usually a few cents after it's all said and done.

Find Out More ›

What are the two types of Costco? ›

Costco Business Center vs. Costco Wholesale

	Regular Warehouse	Business Center
Open to	All Costco members	All Costco members
Caters to	Households	Businesses
Delivery	Limited residential	Limited commercial
Pricing	Low/bulk	Low/extra bulk

4 more rows

Jul 1, 2023

View Details ›

Does Costco have different types of stores? ›

Costco brings back a rarely-used concept

Most of Costco's 850 global locations are its classic warehouse model that sells food, household goods, and lots of other things. The chain has opened a handful of "Business Centers," in recent years, locations that cater to business needs that also welcome non-business members.

Does business Costco have same stuff as regular Costco? ›

CostcoBusinessDelivery.com does not have many of the standard items found on Costco.com, like jewelry, clothing, and hearing aids, but it does have a great mix of must-have items for all Costco members, as well as a large selection of essential business items.

See Details ›

Are all Costco layouts the same? ›

Although all Costcos are not created equally, they all have similarities, and entering a clockwise one when you're used to a counterclockwise setup can be confusing. "It's like being in the Upsidedown," one user commented about shopping at a location that has the opposite layout.

Read The Full Story ›

Do companies make different products for Costco? ›

Nationally known companies like Starbucks, Duracell, and Reynolds produce an exclusive version for Costco that meets its strict standards for quality and price point. Costco's goal is to make Kirkland's products "equal or better quality than national brands" while striving for comparative savings of at least 20%.

Discover More Details ›