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.
|
|
Number of locations
|
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) |
|
US$6.023 billion [2] (2020) |
|
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US$4.002 billion [2] (2020) |
|
|
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 may have been the most popular place to bulk shop, but you might consider other places.
When customers think of wholesale stores that remind them of Costco, the first to pop into their mind is probably Sam’s Club. In fact, in some areas, Sam’s Club is more well-known than Costco.
Sam’s Club, an umbrella company of Walmart, is Costco’s primary 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).
Sam’s Club gives away delicious free samples every weekend. But there are also many benefits that only members can enjoy, such as these:
BJ’s Wholesale Club ranks almost as highly as Sam’s Club and Costco. BJ’s Wholesale Club offers three types of memberships: Perks Rewards, Inner Circle and Business Memberships.
Inner Circle members pay $55/year, and get a complimentary membership to a friend or relative. Members have free access to electronics and furniture at BJ’s stores.
Members enjoy exclusive perks such as 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 began as a chain wholesale store that was part of a bigger parent company. Operations have evolved over time to also offer online savings.
Makro joined two discount retailers Massmart (and Walmart) in 2011 to create a merger which allowed it to increase its wholesale pricing.
Makro customers can access the mCard/mRewards program. This allows them to receive exclusive rewards, discounts and other benefits.
Members also have the option to receive cashback when downloading and using this app for purchases.
Lidl is the UK equivalent of Costco. It offers some of the best prices for grocery, home goods and household products.
Shoppers can enjoy exclusive Lidl Plus benefits through their rewards app.
Wholesale Club Canada is a exclusive club for owners of foodservice companies. While membership isn’t required to shop on their website or in stores, it is highly recommended.
Wholesale Club members receive the following benefits:
PriceSmart, a wholesaler that’s popular beyond the US, is also a favorite. PriceSmart’s four levels of membership offer a variety to match any budget.
Members can enjoy discounts on comparable bulk goods found at other stores. Additional perks include:
Cashback can be earned on purchases up to 22%, but the maximum amount is $500/year
As a wholesale club, City Club in Mexico is a recent addition. City Club Mexican stores were established in 2002.
City Club Mexico has 34 locations throughout Mexico. It offers great prices on quality products for both businesses and families who consume a lot.
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 wholesale club does not sell any food items and is unique to the others, however they have been around for over 20 year.
Africa Imports can help you make wholesale or retail purchases.
To receive wholesale pricing, you must make a minimum of $100. This is unlike other wholesale clubs. Africa import sells African clothing, soaps, incense, instruments, 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.
Target may not seem like a discount outlet to everyone, but Target’s customers can still save quite a bit in their stores through the years. They have savings that are almost as good or better than those offered at Costco or Walmart.
Target has weekly offers that are available on its website under “Deals,” but Target Circle Members and Red Card Holders also have exclusive benefits.
Target Circle coupons will provide you with savings that are based on the past purchase.
A customer could, for example, receive digital coupons to purchase baby and pet care products or other health food products.
For members with either a Red Card debit/credit card, you receive exclusive benefits such as the following:
Trader Joe’s a specialty grocery that sells quality products for a very affordable price. There are many products available, including cookware and foodstuffs. This will ensure that your meals taste better and be more fun.
Trader Joe’s can be hard to see as a low-cost store, because they offer such great quality.
For specialty items, however, these stores provide incredible savings. These stores offer a vast array of Trader Joe products, which are much cheaper than buying expensive brands.
Stores also test products for quality and taste, before placing them into their shops.
Trader Joe’s not only doesn’t charge the suppliers shelf charges (which can increase prices), but also promptly removes any product they don’t like from their shelves.
When looking for inexpensive fruits, veggies, and specialty foods, many consumers turn to Aldi. Aldi is much like Trader Joe’s in that most store products are privately labeled, which means lower prices and more savings for customers.
A lot of products, even those not brand-named, are also constantly changing between the stores. Aldi Findings is like looking for treasure in the grocery shop because you never really know what they might be.
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 sells healthy and fresh produce at a very affordable price. There are many ways you can save at Sprouts. From digital coupons to exclusive deals on apps, to sale items to buying fresh food.
The company website includes a Deals of The Month area. In this section, you can find featured monthly specials on all kinds of grocery items.
Another regional discount grocery store is Cub Foods. 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.
Holiday Station Stores offers points redemption
To know more about Costco, you can also see our posts on Costco’s target market, Walmart vs. Costco, and if China owns Costco.
Warehouse club membership and discount market growth is driving it important that you find the right store to meet your needs.
Costco warehouse clubs offer huge discounts on bulk items, making them a great alternative to shoppers looking to save money.
Similar to the larger discount stores, smaller stores can offer lower prices on certain foods that are not available in bigger outlets.
Shopping in a discount or wholesale store can be a smart choice. 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)