HomeBusinessWe visited Costco stores in the both the US and UK and were shocked by just how similar the shopping experience is on both sides of the Atlantic
We visited Costco stores in the both the US and UK and were shocked by just how similar the shopping experience is on both sides of the Atlantic
The shopping experience was near identical on both sides of the Atlantic.
The main difference we found was in the food assortment.
We visited Costco in Rochester, New York to see how it compares to the big box store's UK locations.
Costco.
Mohammad Khursheed/REUTERS
As we walked in, a greeter at the door reminds people to have their membership cards out. We walked by the membership center, where potential customers can join.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Walking past the carts and greeters, we entered the gigantic Costco warehouse.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
In my location, large electronics are on display near the entrance, with TVs stacked up on huge shelves.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
There's never just one of any item, they seem to keep going almost endlessly.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Ceilings are extremely high, and stocks of products extend nearly all the way up. Many of the largest products at Costco are located along this side wall.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
You could outfit an entire home from the appliances in Costco, including washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, and more.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Then there are dozens of types of smaller appliances, like toaster ovens, coffee makers, and Instant Pots.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Finally, along this wall there are mattresses.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Then, we finally made our way to the food. Brand name snacks mostly made up the center displays, sitting on pallets.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Products are loosely organized by type, like snacks with snacks or baked goods with baked goods, but it's so overwhelming that it's good to come in with a game plan.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
For the most part, every section is inside the main warehouse itself, but dairy and some fruits and vegetables have their own separate sections off the main area.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
The rooms are like a smaller version of the main area, with shelves along the walls and pallets in the center. The room is kept colder than the rest of the store to keep produce fresh.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Some staples always seem to be available in the produce section, while others change out seasonally.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Back out in the main warehouse is the bakery with fresh and packaged goods.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Fresh baked goods are displayed right in front of the kitchen.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
You can look back behind the counter and see the bakery employees preparing more products.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
You can also buy custom cakes and order them in store.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
The rest of the back wall next to the bakery is a deli and meat counter.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
This is where you can find the chain's famous $5 rotisserie chickens.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Rows and rows of refrigerated cases hold more meat products.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
More freezer aisles hold butter, cheese, and some refrigerated prepared meals.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Costco changes out inventory to go with the season, in this case a cannoli kit, macarons, and other holiday dishes to share.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Other displays clearly show we're getting into December and the holiday season with sparkling grape juice and hot cocoa.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
The rest of that side of the store is aisles of food and drinks.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Huge freezers are full of frozen meals, desserts, and other dishes.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
The dairy room is also off of this section of the store.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Back in the center of the store are more non-food items.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
There are rows and rows of coats, sweatshirts, leggings, sweatpants, and other clothing for men, women, and children.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
It doesn't stop there. Just about everything you could possibly need is probably available at Costco.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
There are mega packs of batteries...
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
...the newest Phones...
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
...and Christmas decor.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Another small section has flowers and pre-made bouquets.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Beyond the flowers, Costco has a few mini-stores with services inside, including the pharmacy here.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
An optical section looks like any standalone eyeglasses store, with hundreds of pairs to try on.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
There's also a hearing aid center for customers.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
From there we went to get in line to checkout. The line always extends out into the aisles.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
There are probably about 15 checkout lanes staffed by Costco workers, plus a few self-checkout lanes.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
There are all kinds of boxes around checkout to help you carry all your purchases to your car.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Just past the checkout lanes, the food court sells food and drinks, and tables have returned since early COVID restrictions.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Next, we headed to a Costco store in South London's Croydon on an icy December evening.
Insider/Mary Hanbury
This was our first visit to a Costco store in the UK and on first impression, the layout was almost identical to its US equivalent. The first area I encountered was Costco's in-house opticians where you can buy eyeglasses, lenses, and have eye tests done.
Insider/Mary Hanbury
The front of the store was similarly home to large appliances and electronics such as fridges, stoves, and TVs.
Insider/Mary Hanbury
Close by was a large assortment of seasonal products such as Christmas trees and decorations that customers could easily access as they entered the store, along with the odd wild card such as hot tubs.
Insider/Mary Hanbury
All the pricier items seemed to be located directly at the front of the store, making it impossible for shoppers to miss them.
Insider/Mary Hanbury
As I headed deeper into the store, it became apparent just how giant this location was.
Insider/Mary Hanbury
Products were stacked up sky-high on shelves and the breadth of the assortment was unlike any other store I have been to.
Insider/Mary Hanbury
Next, I headed to the grocery section, which was right at the back of the store.
Insider/Mary Hanbury
Similar to the US store, there was a separate room dedicated to fresh produce, which is considerably chillier to keep groceries fresh.
Insider/Mary Hanbury
Costco's widely popular rotisserie chickens were in a prominent place, costing £3.99, matching the US' $5 version.
Insider/Mary Hanbury
It was in the food section that it became most apparent that the assortment does differ in US and UK Costcos. Here we spotted lots of British meat.
Insider/Mary Hanbury
And local favorites such as Victoria sponge cake or Cornish clotted cream.
Insider/Mary Hanbury
But there was a good assortment of international cuisine too – ready-made curries, Spanish tortillas, and ramen, for example.
Insider/Mary Hanbury
We spotted some household US names too.
Insider/Mary Hanbury
Costco's widely popular Kirkland brand products could be seen all around the store, including Kirkland wines that cost under $20.
Insider/Mary Hanbury
Mountains of cheap clothing, books, and children's toys were piled up on tables in the center of the store.
Insider/Mary Hanbury
I spotted basics from well-known brands such as Under Armour and Puma in this fairly chaotic mix.
Insider/Mary Hanbury
As I headed toward the checkout, I passed by rows of snack foods tactfully positioned to tempt shoppers en route.
Insider/Mary Hanbury
Beauty and healthcare products took up a large area next to the checkout too.
Insider/Mary Hanbury
And in the distance, the bright lights of the food court beckoned.
Insider/Mary Hanbury
Along with its signature £1.50 ($2) hot dog that's served with a soda, you could pick up pizza slices, a chicken sandwich, and the old UK favorite: cottage pie, a dish with minced beef and mashed potato.
Insider/Mary Hanbury
As customers lined up to show their sales slips to exit the store, Costco made one last push to market other member services such as discounted car hire or life insurance.
Insider/Mary Hanbury
There was also a place to buy tires (or tyres) and have punctures repaired.
Insider/Mary Hanbury
Overall, the shopping experience at the two stores was near identical aside from some key differences in the food goods on offer so die-hard fans on either side of the Atlantic can rest easy knowing that they're not missing out.
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