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 |
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| 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) |
|
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 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 (an umbrella company for Walmart) is Costco’s principal competitor.
For an annual membership of $45, Sam’s Club Shoppers have access to a bulk selection of food, clothing, office supplies, and other products at lower prices than other stores (excluding Costco).
In addition to the yummy free samples Sam’s Club offers on weekends, there are many members-only advantages such as the following:
Nearly as well-known as Costco and Sam’s Club is BJ’s Wholesale Club. BJ’s has three membership tiers: Perks Rewards, Inner Circle, and Business Memberships.
Inner Circle members can pay $55/year for membership and receive a complimentary member to share with a loved one. BJ’s members can access groceries, electronics, furniture and other items at any of their locations.
Not only can members save 25% over other grocery stores but they also have exclusive access to the following:
Wholesale and retail shopping are just as common outside of the USA. In South Africa Makro, the wholesale equivalent of Costco, is popular.
Makro started out as a chain or wholesalers that were part of a larger parent firm. Over the years, however, Makro has expanded its operations to include online savings.
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 have exclusive access to the Makro mCard & mRewards programs, which allow them to get discounts and rewards on these items:
Additionally, members can receive cashback by downloading and using the app when making purchases.
Lidl is the UK equivalent of Costco. It offers some of the best prices for grocery, home goods and household products.
Lidl Plus shoppers get exclusive access to these benefits via their reward app Lidl Plus
Wholesale Club in Canada is an exclusive retailer for foodservice owners. 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 receive some advantages that are targeted at business owners.
Another wholesale retailer popular outside of the US is PriceSmart. PriceSmart provides a range of membership options to meet any budget.
You can save on bulk products similar to those sold in other shops by shopping with us. Additional perks include:
Purchases can be eligible for up to 2% cashback, with a cap of $500/year
City Club Mexico in Mexico is an addition to our wholesale club. City Club Mexican is the Mexican equivalent to Sam’s or Costco.
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.
Although they don’t sell food, this wholesale club is still in operation for 20+ years.
Africa Imports allows you to make wholesale or resale purchases. The wholesale price is for individuals who resell the items and the retail price for your personal use.
There is no minimum order required for wholesale pricing. Africa import is a wholesaler of African products, including soaps, incense and instruments.
Africa Imports offers wholesale and retail services. They also teach you how set up your own business to sell their product catalog.
Target is not a discount retailer, but customers still have the ability to save quite some money at Target over time, savings which even surpass those at Costco or Walmart.
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 Deals will give you exclusive savings based upon your previous purchases.
For example, one customer may acquire deals full of digital coupons for baby care products, health foods, and/or pet care products.
Red Card credit/debit card holders get exclusive benefits, such as:
Trader Joe’s is a specialty grocery store that offers high-quality items with an affordable price tag. You will find a variety of cookware and food products that will enhance your enjoyment of cooking.
When you think of Trader Joe’s, you may not really see them as a discount store because they are of such high quality.
However, for the specialty items that these stores carry, you receive extreme savings. It is possible to save so much by not seeing many brand name items, but only Trader Joe exclusive label products.
Additionally, store personnel taste test the product before they place it in their store.
Trader Joe’s doesn’t charge any suppliers for shelf fees which can raise the prices. They remove product that is not performing from their shelves immediately.
Aldi is a popular place to shop for specialty and inexpensive fruits, vegetables, and other foods. Aldi is much like Trader Joe’s in that most store products are privately labeled, which means lower prices and more savings for customers.
Also, the products of non-store brands are continually changing in and out. Aldi Discovers can be likened to finding treasure in the supermarket because you never know what it will contain next.
Aldi’s operational features, such as the charging of carts and bags for shopping bags, help to save money. A quarter is required to buy a cart. You can bring your cart back to Aldi to redeem the quarter.
Aldi will accept your return cart without the need for staff members. Instead of paying extra to buy a bag, bring your own. Aldi shops can reduce costs with both these operational procedures.
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 website offers a Deals of The Month section. There are featured monthly offers on all categories of groceries.
Cub Foods is another local discount grocery store. The brand is growing and they now offer many benefits including an updated website and Instacart delivery.
My Cub Rewards App & Discount Card: Shoppers get the following benefits
Spend at Holiday Station Stores to earn points
For more information about Costco you can check out our posts Costco’s target markets, Walmart vs Costco, as well as if Costco is controlled by China.
It’s important to choose the best store for you, as the discount and warehouse club market are growing.
Costco warehouse clubs are becoming a very popular option for those who wish to save money due to their huge discount on bulk products.
Smaller discount shops offer food products at lower prices than bigger stores.
Either way shopping in wholesale shops or discount stores can be great. There is no need to hunt for the best deals when you can find them in one place.
.13 Stores Like Costco (Similar Stores In Us, Canada + More)
