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
|
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) |
|
Total equity |
US$15.24 billion [2] (2019) |
| Members |
105.5 million [3] (2020) |
|
Number of employees
|
273,000 [3] (2020) |
| Website |
www .costco .com  |
Costco is a well-known option for bulk buying, but there are other options.
Sam’s Club will be the first place that pops into customers’ heads when they imagine wholesale shops that reminds them of Costco. Sam’s Club actually is better known than Costco in some regions.
Sam’s Club, an umbrella company of Walmart, is Costco’s primary competitor.
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.
In addition to the yummy free samples Sam’s Club offers on weekends, there are many members-only advantages such as the following:
BJ’s Wholesale Club is almost as popular as Sam’s Club and Costco. There are three levels of membership at BJ’s: the Inner Circle, Perks Rewards and Business Memberships.
Inner Circle Members pay only $55/year and receive a free membership for one friend or family member. Members have free access to electronics and furniture at BJ’s stores.
A member can save up to 25% on groceries, and also get access to exclusive perks like 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 was initially a wholesale chain that belonged to a parent company. Over the years, however, Makro has expanded its operations to include online savings.
Makro’s 2011 merger with Massmart Discount Retailer and Walmart allowed for a more competitive wholesale price.
Makro customers can access the mCard/mRewards program. This allows them to receive exclusive rewards, discounts and other benefits.
Members may also be eligible for cashback by downloading the app, and then using it to make purchases.
Lidl (the UK equivalent to Costco) is a discount food store with some of the lowest prices on grocery, household goods, health & beauty items, baby products, and pet care items.
With exclusive benefits found on their free rewards app, Lidl Plus, shoppers have access to the following:
Wholesale Club Canada, an exclusive Canadian retail outlet for owner-operators of foodservice establishments, was established in 1999. It is possible to join the Wholesale Club and shop online or at one of their locations, although it is not required.
Wholesale Club members get some special benefits designed for business owners.
Another wholesale retailer popular outside of the US is PriceSmart. 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. Additional perks include:
You can get up to $500/yr cashback on most purchases.
City Club Mexico, a wholesale club is new to the market. City Club Mexicans are Costco’s Mexican counterpart.
City Club has 34 branches in Mexico and offers great value for families who consume lots.
City Club rewards members who make big purchases. Members receive cashback of 2% in their electronic wallet for every purchase above $2000. This can be used on future purchases.
This retailer, which does not sell foods items, is different than other wholesale clubs. However they’ve been in the business for more than 20 years.
Africa Imports can help you make wholesale or retail purchases.
For wholesale pricing there’s a minimum purchase of $100. Africa import offers African soaps, incenses, clothing and other ethnocentric products.
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.
Target does not just offer weekly deals. You can also find them on their website under “Deals”, and there are exclusive rewards for Target Circle holders.
Target Circle coupons will provide you with savings that are based on the past purchase.
Digital coupons can also be purchased by one customer for products such as baby products, pet care, and health foods.
Red Card credit/debit card holders get exclusive benefits, such as:
Trader Joe’s a specialty supermarket that sells high-quality, affordable products. 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. This is because you don’t see many expensive brand names but mainly Trader Joe private labels.
Additionally, store personnel taste test the product before they place it in their store.
Trader Joe’s also doesn’t charge vendors shelf fees (which increases prices), and promptly takes the product off their shelves.
Aldi is the place many people turn when they are looking for low-cost fruits and vegetables as well as specialty food. Much like Trader Joe’s, most of the store items at Aldi are private label items, which helps translate to lower costs and savings for shoppers.
Also, the products of non-store brands are continually changing in and out. Aldi Finds is like finding hidden treasure at the grocery store because you never know what they will feature next.
Aldi is able to cut costs by using some operational features such as shopping carts charging and shopping bags. By paying a quarter for a cart, you are encouraged to bring it back into the store in order to get the quarter back.
Aldi will accept your return cart without the need for staff members. Instead of paying extra to buy a bag, bring your own. Aldi’s stores can control costs by using both of these operating practices.
Sprouts Farmers Market has healthy food and is affordable. There are many ways to save at Sprouts, from digital coupons to sales items and exclusive app deals.
The company website features a Deals of The Month Section. Here you will find monthly featured specials on all sorts of grocery items.
Cub Foods, a regional discount grocery chain, is also available. They offer many convenience benefits such as a new website and Instacart deliveries.
My Cub Rewards App and Discount Card allow customers to enjoy these perks.
Spend at Holiday Station Stores to earn points
To know more about Costco, you can also see our posts on Costco’s target market, Walmart vs. Costco, and if China owns Costco.
You need to locate the perfect store, because the market for warehouse clubs memberships and discounted stores is growing.
Warehouse clubs such as Costco are gaining popularity because of the massive discounts they offer on bulk goods.
Similarly, smaller discount stores offer lower prices on some food items that larger stores might not compete with.
You can shop at either a wholesale club, or a discount store. You don’t have to search for the best deal when they are available in one location.
.13 Stores Like Costco (Similar Stores In Us, Canada + More)