13 Stores Like Costco (Similar Stores In Us, Canada + More)
Costco’s logo since 1997
|
|
 |
|
| Type |
Public |
|---|---|
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Nasdaq : COST NASDAQ-100 Component S&P 100 Component S&P 500 Component |
|
| Industry |
Retail |
| Predecessor |
Price Club |
| Founded |
July 12, 1976 ( 1976-07-12 ) (as Price Club) San Diego, California , U.S. September 15, 1983 ( 1983-09-15 ) (as Costco) Seattle, Washington , U.S. |
| Founders |
James Sinegal Jeffrey Brotman Sol Price Robert Price |
| Headquarters |
,
U.S.
|
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Number of locations
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804 [1] (2021) |
|
Area served
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Australia Canada China France Iceland Japan Mexico New Zealand South Korea Spain Taiwan United Kingdom United States |
|
Key people
|
Hamilton E. James (Chairman) W. Craig Jelinek (President and CEO) |
| Brands | Kirkland Signature |
| Services |
Merchandise Cash & Carry Warehouse club Filling stations |
| Revenue |
 US$166.76 billion [2] (2020) |
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US$6.023 billion [2] (2020) |
|
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US$4.002 billion [2] (2020) |
|
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Total assets |
US$45.40 billion [2] (2019) |
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Total equity |
US$15.24 billion [2] (2019) |
| Members |
105.5 million [3] (2020) |
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Number of employees
|
273,000 [3] (2020) |
| Website |
www .costco .com  |
While Costco has been a popular option for bulk shopping, some alternatives might be more beneficial.
Sam’s Club is the wholesale store that customers most associate with Costco. Sam’s Club might actually be better-known in some places than Costco.
Sam’s Club is an umbrella company under Walmart, and the company’s main method of competing with Costco.
Sam’s Club Shoppers receive a $45, annual membership, which allows them to access bulk food, clothing, and office supplies at much lower prices than other stores, except Costco.
Sam’s Club provides delicious, free sample weekends. Members also have many other benefits like the following:
BJ’s Wholesale Club ranks almost as highly as Sam’s Club and Costco. At BJ’s, there are three tiers for membership: The Inner Circle, Perks Rewards, and Business Memberships.
As an Inner Circle Member, you pay $55/yr and are provided a complimentary membership for a family member or friend. BJ’s member have unlimited access to food, electronics, furniture, etc.
In addition to saving 25% compared to other grocery stores, members have access to a number of exclusive perks, including the following:
Outside of the US, wholesale and retail shopping is just as popular, and in South Africa, Makro is the country’s wholesale equivalent to Costco.
Makro started out as a chain or wholesalers that were part of a larger parent firm. Makro’s operations expanded to allow for online savings over time.
In 2011, Makro merged with two other discount retailers, Massmart and Walmart, a merger that allowed the company to make prices even more competitive in the wholesale market.
Makro customers who shop there have access to the Makro rewards program. Customers can earn special discounts or receive rewards.
Members also have the option to receive cashback when downloading and using this app for purchases.
Lidl, the UK’s equivalent of Costco, is a discount grocery store that offers low prices on groceries, household items and baby care products.
Shoppers can enjoy exclusive Lidl Plus benefits through their rewards app.
Wholesale Club, a Canadian retailer exclusive to owners of foodservice businesses, is located in Canada. While membership isn’t required to shop on their website or in stores, it is highly recommended.
Wholesale Club members get some special benefits designed for business owners.
PriceSmart, another wholesale retailer that is popular in the US, also sells bulk merchandise. PriceSmart provides a range of membership options to meet any budget.
Shoppers are able to enjoy savings on similar bulk items found in other stores. Additionally, there are also membership exclusive perks available like:
The majority of purchases earn a maximum of 2% cashback with a limit at $500/yr.
City Club Mexico, a wholesale club is new to the market. First opened in 2002, City Club locations are the Mexican equivalent of Costco and Sam’s club.
With 34 locations across Mexico, City Club offers excellent value on products for businesses and families that consume a lot.
City Club offers members a reward for purchasing large quantities. Every purchase exceeding $2000 receives 2% cashback, which can be used to pay for future purchases.
Although this retailer is different from the other wholesale clubs (they do not sell food items), they have been in business for over 20 years.
At Africa Imports, you can make either resale or wholesale purchases; wholesale prices are for businesses or individuals reselling items, and retail prices are for personal use.
There is no minimum order required for wholesale pricing. Africa import sells African apparel, soaps, incense, instruments and other ethnocentric goods.
In addition to being a wholesaler, Africa Imports also teaches you how to set up your own business selling products from their catalog.
Even though Target may not be considered a discount store to some, customers have still been able to save quite a bit at their stores over the years, savings that even rival those found at Walmart or Costco.
Not only does Target have weekly deals that can be found on their website under the “Deals” section, but there are also exclusive benefits for Target Circle and Red Card holders.
When you use Target Circle deals, you will find savings exclusive to you based on past purchases.
So, one customer can get deals that include digital coupons for pet and baby care products as well as health foods.
Red Card cardholders receive special benefits like the following:
Trader Joe’s specialty grocery shop offers top-quality products at a reasonable price. They have a wide range of products from cookware to foodstuffs that will make your meals tastier and more enjoyable.
When you think of Trader Joe’s, you may not really see them as a discount store because they are of such high quality.
These stores offer exceptional savings on specialty products. You save so much because, rather than seeing a lot of pricey brand names, you see mostly Trader Joe private label items.
Stores also test products for quality and taste, before placing them into their shops.
Trader Joe’s does not charge suppliers any shelf fees, which raises the price. They also remove underperforming products from their shelves quickly.
When looking for inexpensive fruits, veggies, and specialty foods, many consumers turn to Aldi. Aldi’s products, much like Trader Joe’s are all private label, so shoppers can enjoy lower prices.
Products that aren’t store-brand also frequently cycle in and out the shop. Aldi Discovers can be likened to finding treasure in the supermarket because you never know what it will contain next.
Aldi can also help you save money with certain features like shopping bag charging or cart charges. If you pay quarter for a cart in Aldi, it is encouraged that you bring the bag back to the store to receive the quarter.
Aldi won’t require you to call a staff person to return the cart. And instead of having to pay extra for plastic bags, it is possible bring a reusable bag. These two operational methods help Aldi keep its costs low.
Sprouts Farmers Market is an inexpensive place to buy fresh, healthy foods. There are many savings options at Sprouts. These include digital coupons, sales items, and app discounts.
The company’s website also features a Deals of the Month section. Here you will find monthly featured specials on all sorts of grocery items.
Cub Foods is a local discount grocery shop. The brand is growing and they now offer many benefits including an updated website and Instacart delivery.
With the My Cub Rewards App and discount card, shoppers get access to the following perks:
Earn points from purchases redeemable at Holiday Station Stores.
You can read our Costco posts to learn more, including Walmart vs Costco and whether Costco is owned by China.
It’s important to choose the best store for you, as the discount and warehouse club market are growing.
Warehouse clubs such as Costco are gaining popularity because of the massive discounts they offer on bulk goods.
In the same way, discount shops can also offer discounts on food items which larger retailers might not be able to match.
Shopping at wholesale clubs or discount stores is great. If you find the lowest prices in one spot, there is no reason to go looking for them elsewhere.
.13 Stores Like Costco (Similar Stores In Us, Canada + More)
