10 Things You Should Buy at Costco
Costco’s success formula is no secret. As the second-largest retailer in the U.S., sales have grown 54 percent in the last five years despite a lackluster economy. Consumers give Costco's reputation high marks. According to The Harris Poll's 2016 Reputation Quotient Ratings, Costco's ranks up there with the likes of The Walt Disney Company, Apple and Amazon. Members are loyal with more than 90 percent of U.S. customers renewing their memberships.
Costco runs a “no frills”, member-based operation purchasing large quantities, keeping product markups at 15 percent or less, and providing additional value with its in-house Kirkland brand. While product assortment is selective and often fleeting, there are some regularly stocked items that are a must buy. The list below highlights ten of the many great values available at Costco, including Kirkland and Kirkland Signature branded products.
1. Kirkland Signature Moisture Shampoo and Moisture Conditioner
The quality of this Kirkland Signature hair care duo is reminiscent of high-end salon brands. It is sulfate-free, paraben-free, vegan, gluten-free, no animal testing, and is safe for color treated hair. Its quality and performance have been compared to Pureology’s Hydrate shampoo and conditioner, a pricey salon brand. It's also a superb value. The chart below compares prices on moisturizing shampoos and conditioners for salon brands, drugstore brands and Costco's product. (Note: Brand prices listed are from retailer Ulta.)
Shampoo & Conditioner Price Comparison
Product
| Size
| Price
|
|---|---|---|
Pureology Hydrate Shampoo
| 1 liter
| $62.00
|
Pureology Hydrate Conditioner
| 1 liter
| $64.00
|
EverCrème Sulfate-Free Moisture System Intense Nourishing Shampoo
| 8.5 oz
| $6.99
|
EverCrème Sulfate-Free Moisture System Intense Nourishing Conditioner
| 8.5 oz
| $6.99
|
Healthy Sexy Hair Color Safe Soy Moisturizing Shampoo
| 1 liter
| $25.95
|
Healthy Sexy Hair Color Safe Soy Moisturizing Conditioner
| 1 liter
| $27.95
|
Kirkland Signature Moisture Shampoo
| 1 liter
| $9.99
|
Kirkland Signature Moisture Conditioner
| 1 liter
| $7.49
|
2. Kirkland Signature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
The quality and value of this product is exceptional. A study by The Olive Center at the University of California-Davis found that the Kirkland Signature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil was one of just five in the study that had not been combined with cheaper, refined olive oil. At about $10 per liter, this Kirkland product is a bargain. Other well-known brands, some of which failed in the study, cost double or even much more.
Note: Costco's Signature Balsamic Vinegar is a quality product and great value too.
3. Wine
Two things set Costco’s wine assortment apart – selection and price. Costco is the largest retailer of fine wine in the U.S. According to Consumer Reports, Costco wine is an exceptional value, ranking its 2011 Kirkland Sonoma Chardonnay ($7) as a Consumer Reports Best Buy.
Costco collaborates with specific winemakers and wineries around the world to create custom blends for its Kirkland Signature wines. The wines are offered in tiered categories that denote quality and value: Premium, Super Premium, and Signature Series.
Here’s the best news! You don’t need to be a Costco member to purchase wine or liquor from its warehouses due to a law that prohibits selling alcohol through members-only agreements. Simply tell the warehouse greeter that you are there to purchase alcohol.
4. Pet Products
According to a Consumer Reports analysis, Costco’s Kirkland Signature pet food is among the least expensive in this product category. Savings on national branded pet food, such as Iams, can be found as well. Costco carries a broad assortment of pet products at savings over pet retailers and even online retailers. Other pet products found at warehouses include treats, toys, bedding, and pet health products.
Don’t forget the Costco Pharmacy, which carries a full-line of pet medications offered at considerable savings over drug stores and veterinarian offices.
5. Kirkland Bath Tissue
Bath tissue is a top selling product at Costco warehouses. The company recently improved their Kirkland Signature bath tissue product by upgrading its softness, absorbency and durability. At less than half the cost per square foot of leading national brands, in a price survey by the warehouse, it is undeniably a great value. The savings from purchasing this product alone throughout the year for your family could likely pay for your Costco membership fee.
Can't part with your name brand toilet tissue? Costco carries brand names across many product lines, including toilet paper giant, Charmin. Watch for frequent sales on Charmin or Kirkland Signature toilet paper.
6. Tires
Purchasing new tires at a warehouse club will save you up to 20 percent off automotive store prices. Included with a Costco tire installation is free pressure checks, tire balancing, tire rotations, and flat tire repairs. The best perk . . you can shop at the warehouse while Costco installs your tires.
7. Produce
Take caution before purchasing bulk quantities of produce so that half or more won't end up in the garbage. You might not need a dozen oranges but a bulk size of organic strawberries might be in order if you are making a strawberry pie. If you have a large family and enjoy many servings of fruits and vegetables, there are great values in this product category. Look for organic offerings too as the savings for this category of produce are even greater compared to organic prices in grocery stores.
8. Fitness Clothing
The global sports apparel market is expected to grow to $178 billion by 2019, according to research firm Trefis.1 Fitness apparel specialty stores have popped up over the last several years to meet this growing demand, including Lululemon and Athleta. Much of the growth in this clothing line is due in part to the desire to wear fitness apparel outside the gym and to the boom of yoga and specialty exercise classes such as CrossFit.
Many fashion retailers, such as Forever 21 and The Gap, have stepped into the fitness apparel market with their own clothing lines in stores and online. Warehouse clubs like Costco are seizing this market as well. Prices for fitness clothing vary significantly from store to store but at Costco, members can purchase this apparel at a fraction of the prices at many retail stores. While the selection is not extensive, the assortment is broad. Some of the fitness apparel items members can purchase at Costco include running shorts, tennis skirts, fitness tops, jackets, and yoga pants. Costco also carries a limited selection of athletic shoes.
9. Kirkland Signature Coffee Pods
In the world of coffee sales, the single-cup coffee market is growing leaps and bounds. Sales of single-cup coffee have tripled in recent years and continue to grow. Single-cup coffee pods offer convenience but are not cheap. One coffee pod can cost up to a dollar, with most pods cashing in at about 60 to 70 cents per pod. At Costco, you can purchase several brands of coffee pods at a savings but the Kirkland Signature coffee pods are the best value at about 33 cents per pod online and slightly less at warehouses. The Kirkland Signature coffee pods (along with other brand name pods) are on sale frequently for even less. Costco offers two coffee pod flavors: Pacific Bold and Breakfast Blend.
10. Costco Executive Membership
Costco Executive members pay $120 for a yearly membership (compared to $60 for a standard membership) and account for about two-thirds of the company’s sales. If you are a frequent Costco shopper, you could easily makeup the additional $60 in membership fees.
Benefits include 2 percent cash back on most Costco purchases in the form of a merchandise certificate (see hint below) along with additional perks and savings on other products and services, such as travel. If you are a frequent Costco shopper and loyal to the Kirkland brand, an executive membership might be worth it.
Think back to your last Costco shopping trip and ask yourself, how often do you shop at Costco? If you shop weekly, you would need to spend about $53 per week at each shopping trip to recover the additional membership amount, or about $229 per month. This does not include bigger ticket purchases you might make from Costco, such as a family vacation, new tires, a flat-screen television, or perhaps a Kirkland Signature patio furniture set. In these scenarios, that 2 percent back could easily pay for your entire membership with a surplus merchandise credit to spend. Hint: If you earn a Costco merchandise certificate, you don't need to spend the full amount at Costco. They will give you change back in cash no matter the amount.
What's Your Most Frequent Costco Purchase?
Sources
1Sherman, Lauren. "For the Activewear Market, There's No Way But Up - BoF - The Business of Fashion." The Business of Fashion, 15 Jan. 2014. Web. <http://www.businessoffashion.com/2014/01/activewear-lululemon-nike-hm-sweaty-betty.html>.
Jakab, Spencer. "Growth Is Helping Costco at the Margins." The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company, 11 Mar. 2013. Web. <http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887324096404578354581556318960>.
Logan, Lori Gordan. "Costco: Breaking All the Retail Rules." CNBC.com, 25 Apr. 2012. Web. <http://www.cnbc.com/id/47175492>.
"Wine Bargains | Wine Shopping - Consumer Reports." Consumer Reports Money Advisor (October 2013), Sept. 2013. Web. <http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2013/09/red-wine-white-wine-cheap-wine-bargain/index.htm>.
Fottrell, Quentin. "Sales of Single-serve Coffee Have Tripled since 2011." MarketWatch The Wall Street Journal, 21 Nov. 2013. Web. 16 July 2014. <http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sales-of-single-serve-coffee-have-tripled-since-2011-2013-11-20>.
Vasel, Kathryn. "Costco Could Hike Its Membership Fee." CNNMoney. Cable News Network, 22 Apr. 2016. Web. 23 Apr. 2016. <http://money.cnn.com/2016/04/22/pf/costco-membership-fee/index.html>.
Denman, Tim. "The 10 Retailers with the Best Reputation." The 10 Retailers with the Best Reputation. Retail Info Systems News, 29 Mar. 2016. Web. 31 Mar. 2016.
Questions & Answers
Has Costco discontinued the white Kirkland tennis shoes?
It might depend on your local warehouse as they do carry slightly different inventories. They do carry a small variety of "tennis shoes" so there could be a white pair at your local warehouse and likely online.
Should I buy Costco running shoes?
Yes and other shoes there are great too. They do have some extended sizes and styles available online.
Helpful 10I am a widow, is it worth the extra money to join Costco?
The good news is that if you don't find your membership useful or worth the cost, Costco will refund you your membership fee. That said, it depends on your purchases as to whether or not it is worth joining. If for instance, you are purchasing a set of tires that year or a vacation through Costco, it is certainly worth it as the savings you will have outweigh the cost of your membership for sure.
Helpful 9
Comments
AUTHORYou will love the shampoo and conditioner, Nancy. It's honestly a high quality product and an amazing value.
Thanks for the info about Kirkland shampoo.
I've been looking and concerned about where to find an inexpensive vegan/cruelty free shampoo and here it's been right under my nose at Costco all this time!
- AUTHOR
I'm so sorry to hear about your service experience, Imho. I hope that you were able to rectify this with your local Costco warehouse.
While I agree Costco tire prices and included services are hard to beat, I’ve found it almost impossible to have them rotate my tires. At least over the last year they refuse to allow me to set up an appt (“All our appt’s are taken for the next 3 months” is a typical explanation) or do it while I wait. The only successful solution is to drop the car off in the morning, before the main store opens or you won’t be accepted, leave and wait for them to call indicating the work is done. With Michelin requiring rotation every 5,000 miles for warranty coverage this is a regular occurrence.
This may not be the experience at all Costco locations, but it has been at the three nearest stores here in Orange County, CA. Before you buy call their tire dept and ask to set up a tire rotation appt and see how that goes first.
For comparison, America’s Tire appts were easy to make and drop in/while you wait rotations were rarely a problem, same geographic area.
This is one of the few areas Costco falls down. It’s an atypical but glaring oversight for them to offer a service but not have the bandwidth to deliver it.
I wish that I read this before spending big time money on tires while leasing a car for my rideshare enterprise. Now that I rent on occasion maintenance isn't on me. Good info to know.
Just an fyi, I would NOT recommend purchasing the Kirkland cat food for your cats. I used to buy it all the time for my two kitties because it was a great "value"...until it started making them sick CONSTANTLY. That shit is full of filler ingredients like grains and animal byproducts that are terrible for your pets.
Everything else listed here is all right as far as I know.
- AUTHOR
Thank you so much for your additional items. It's hard to keep it to just ten and you are correct that items rotate ongoing based on what moves. There gas is definitely up there on the list. Thanks!
Just found this site today. Thanks for the tips. I will add a few
1. If you want your Costco to carry something you can fill out a card. If enough people request an item, the will stock it.
I questioned them a few years ago and was told they only carry items that move. If a product starts to lag they will discontinue it IN THAT STORE. That is why you can find some items in one store but not at another store.
2. You don't need to go with a member. They will give you a one day pass. You can probably only do that once because they have very good IT and I would guess they could see that you already did it and would not let you keep doing it.
3. The gas prices are the BEST.
They are consistently about 40 cents a gallon below the other gas stations in California. Saving over $4 each time you fill your tank is nothing to sneeze at. I remember gas wars back in the 1960s and 1970s when we would look for 2 - 4 cent discounts.
To know you will always get a great price gives you peace of mind to drive to your Costco. You don't need to price shop gas stations.
4. They used to carry Reviva Calcium and D3 liquid supplement and then I could not find it any more. I buy it from Costco On-line with free shipping. Love it. My calcium and D3 levels are now back to normal.
5. For people who don't have a Costco close by check out the on-line store.
Long live Costco!
Too bad the olive oil is in a PLASTIC bottle.....
Why doesn't Costco in Menomonee Falls, Wis. carry decafe coffee in the pods?
Thank you for this info. I am a loyal Costco shopper for many years. Only problem now after moving to FL. The closest one is almost an hour away. I do make the trip especially for Kirkland paper towels, dish washer soap, etc. love everything about Costco. Hoping they will open closer to where I live, they have been talking about it for years. Been buying my glasses there too, for the last 25 years!
Produce bags are a lifesaver if you buy bulk fruits and veggies and have a small family. They extend the life of your produce by WEEKS.
Be careful with the costco brand pet food. The dry food is known to cause sickness in many dogs.
I have tried many different brands of Albacore and have always been totally satisfied with Kirkland .. .Note: Albacore is the only Tuna that can be labelled "White, by the F.D.A. There cans are solidly pack and very tasty..If you like a more fishery taste,then buy the Skip Jack" Tuna...
- AUTHOR
Thanks, ClayR! I am going to try that on my next trip there. Costco has so much great stuff at reasonable prices that I could easily expand this list to 100 plus items.
Get the Avacado Oil! Amazing stuff, as healthy as Olive Oil, light to almost no taste but with a very high smoke temperature unlike Olive Oil (and even higher than vegitable oil) making it a great all around cooking oil. Costco is the only place that sells it at a reasonable price.
Hearing Aids are the best bought at Costco. My husband saved thousands and is getting the best care ever. He will never go elsewhere for his hearing aids!
I love the Kirkland Colombia ground coffee. Best coffee
- AUTHOR
Thank you, Peg! So glad I could give you some suggestions on things to buy and really, this could be a list of 50 things or more. I've heard great things about that pet food. We use the Kirkland dog food with the salmon and sweet potato mix and our dog loves it and her coat looks great. I agree about the coffee too. I love that it's such a great deal too.
These tips are excellent reasons to shop at Costco. We are members and love the value and quality of the produce and the other merchandise, including the wine. You've detailed some of the great deals here. We're headed over there today and I'm going to pick up the Olive Oil. We also buy the Kirkland brand of No Grain Dog Food and their whole bean coffee It's actually better than Starbuck's. Up, Useful and Interesting.
Congratulations on the Hub of the Day award. Well done.
Dear My Bell,
You are so sweet and warm as to leave me such a tender reply. And I do appreciate you following me. I cherish YOU and all of my followers. I wish I had the monetary-means to take you and all of my followers on a two-month cruise and pay-off all of your bills.
"It is better to give than to receive."
You keep up the great work and I will be around if you should ever need my help.
Kenneth,
Your Friend for Life
- AUTHOR
Thank you so much, Kenneth, for your thoughtful and honest comments. It means a lot to me coming from a seasoned journalist and hubber. I have a journalism background but have been busy raising kids for some time so am just getting back to it. I'm grateful for all the encouragement and praise I receive from other hubbers and will definitely keep it up. I will definitely be checking out some of your many quality hubs. Thanks!
My Bell,
I love this hub. And here are the reasons why:
1. This is an excellent piece of writing. Honestly, it is amazing.
2, I loved every word.
3. Graphics, superb.
4. This hub was helpful, informative and very interesting.
5. Voted Up and all of the choices.
6. I loved your topic of this hub.
(Sorry, I couldn't vote in your slot. I have no Costco near my hometown. Just wanted to be honest).
You are certainly a gifted writer. Keep the great hubs coming.
Sincerely,
Kenneth Avery, Hamilton, Alabama
- AUTHOR
Thank you all! Yes, Kirkland is the brand name for Costco's products (similar to Great Value at Walmart or Simple Truth at Kroger). Glad to hear about the other product suggestions. I could have easily expanded this list to 20 or more items.
Definitely would agree. Just a heads up for those that are wondering, you should not buy hearing aid batteries from Costco. The Kirkland brand is just awful compared to some of the leading.
Great article - I can attest to the quality of their dog food. My dogs have been on it for 8 weeks and still have shiny, healthy coats! Can't wait for my executive points to give me a free bag of food!
Congratulations on your HOTD award. I do have a question though. Is Kirkland the brand name of all these products or is it Costco's equivalent to Walmart's Great Value brand? I do not shop at Costco, so I was inquiring! Thanks!
If I remember correctly an executive club member who pays the $110 fee will get the difference refunded at the end of the year if their savings don't total enough money. You do have to be careful though about getting the membership towards the end of the year because there might be some restrictions on that refund.
Congrats on HOTD!! Well done!
We used to have a membership, but for just my husband and I, the savings on the very few things we wanted to buy that we could use up the larger quantities, (mainly the 6-pack of canned green beans--hubby's favorite vegetable), and 3-pack of A-1 steak sauce (believe it or not, we use it on macaroni & cheese!), did not add up to enough to pay for the membership, which at that time was $10 less than it is now.
We are currently on an even tighter budget, so things like shampoo come from the dollar store...$6 or $7 for a bottle of shampoo is well over budget.
However, for my daughters, one with 2 growing girls, an active lifestyle and still-employed husband, and the other, with a teenage son still at home, the Costco membership pays off well for them.
Voted up, interesting and useful.
Congrats on your Hub of the Day award. I've shopped at what is called the busiest Costco located just below Vancouver in Bellingham WA. If you're in the area, believe the rumor and go to Everett's Costco! The thing I hate is having to wait in line again to leave the store after standing in line to make a legal purchase, but it lets me exercise the virtue of patience….
Wouldn't have thought of wince, but I'm in.
Excellent hub...we are fairly new Costco customers and are finding our way around which products we like. Their vitamins and Omeprazole are good bargains.
We had a membership a few years back. The location is a little far for us. Some of the Kirkland brands were better quality than the name brand products I bought at the super markets. If their canned tuna is as good now as it was back then, you need to try it.
- AUTHOR
Thank you Deal, Hollywood, Relationshipc, and Susan! Costco is so awesome. I probably should do a follow-up article for 10 more items.
Firstly congrats on your hub being chosen as HOTD!
In the city where I live they are bringing in a Costco. I can hardly wait as I love shopping there.
We don't have a Costco membership, but my parents do. They always get us toilet paper from there, which we don't mind. And, they get us hummus from there as well, which we love! It's the Sabra brand, and it is so much cheaper from there than from anywhere else.
Very informative post and really all very true! Congratz on your hub being featured as the Hub of the Day! You deserve it :)!!!
It's true, you can get great deals on tires and olive oil at Costco. I've never tried the shampoos but will keep it in mind next time. Congrats!
- AUTHOR
Thank you Robin, Ally, Sarah & Dbro! I feel very honored to have this article chosen for HOTD. I do know about how well Costco treats their employees and I do indeed believe that is why the service there is always super and the employees are smiling. Sarah - do show this article to your husband. Costco has saved my family money on purchases and it's also a super fun place to shop.
Great hub, My Bell! My family and I are avid Costco shoppers, but I hadn't considered the shampoo and conditioner. I will definitely give it a try. Another plus about Costco is the way they treat their employees, which outpaces the other major retailer (which shall remain nameless). I don't know if it's because of the benefits their employer offers, but I find the Costco employees to always be pleasant and helpful. Maybe Costco is just good at finding quality people to employ.
Again, great hub, and congratulations on the Hub of the Day honor!
Congrats on HotD! We have a Costco about 30 minutes away from us. I've visited as a guest of my friend before but my husband doesn't agree when I say we should get our own membership. I think even monthly visits would make up for the membership and price of gas. I will have to show the husband this article!
Congrats on HotD! My parents practically live in Costco and this information will definitely be useful to them. I'll be sure to pass it on, thanks!
Terrific list. Congrats on HotD.
- AUTHOR
Thank you Hankscita and Flourish!
I'm back to say congratulations on HOTD!
I didn't know you could buy wine or alcohol without a membership. Great tip, and congrats on the Hub of the day!
I love the B 12 dissolvable tabs from Costco--and as someone mentioned, the optical service is excellent. The Cuban Organic coffee is to die for!!
- AUTHOR
Thank you, Lupine, for your kind comments.
One of the best hubs, useful and informative. Any tips on stretching our dollars are very welcome.
- AUTHOR
Thank you all for your wonderful comments and other product suggestions. So many great bargains at Costco! Thank you too for any and all who voted for this article for the Rising Star accolade. I feel so honored to have received this award and so grateful to the entire Hubpage community.
I enjoyed your article. I'm one of those loyal Costco shoppers.
I love Costco too for all the same reasons. Great list of the top 10 things to buy at Costco. I also echo the recommendation to use their optical services. I order my contacts there now and they are cheaper than anywhere else I can find. The only hassle is you have to order them in person and then go back to pick up in person.
If I had to add additional items I'd add their coffee beans, organic butter, and organic eggs. All are easily half off what you would pay elsewhere.
My daughter and her husband are Costco favorites for certain items. Thanks for sharing your information!! ;-)
Very useful information and well presented. Thanks for sharing.
NUTS-- that's not an expletive, I like to buy almonds, walnuts, pistachios, pecans and mixed nuts, much cheaper per pound at Costco than supermarkets. Yes, of course you buy large containers, but they keep very well in the refrigerator.
Copy paper for your computer printer is also a good buy.
Though I don't use their pharmacy, I understand that prescriptions can be a bargain there. It is also one of the items that does not require a membership for purchase.
I agree that the Executive Level member ship is the way to go. But I do not like the Kirkland brand toilet tissue. I wait for the coupon sale on the name brand ultra soft instead.
Definitely the olive oil and I'd include the avocado oil, too. And the executive card level - pays for itself!
Great information to have. I have both a Costco and Sam's Club near me but currently don't belong to either. This may tip the scale.
Great info to know; thanks for sharing. Cactus too! lol
- AUTHOR
Thanks for the comments and for the optical suggestion. Since I had Lasik several years back, I no longer need glasses thankfully, but I remember how pricey eyeglasses and contacts were. Either would be a super deal at Costco. I could probably easily expand this list to 20 or more items!
Great list!! I also recommend their optical services. You can see a doctor and get a prescription for a very affordable price, even if you don't have vision insurance. Costco doesn't have a huge range of frames, but you can use the prescription somewhere else, including online.
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