11 Everyday Items That Are Almost Always Cheapest at Costco
There’s no reason to spend a cent more than you need to.
For many people, Costco is a part of their monthly routine, whether it's to stock up on everyday household items or delicious snacks in bulk. People love Costco for many reasons, but the store’s free samples and great value come to mind for many shoppers (myself included). With that said, it would be a missed opportunity to discuss this retailer without mentioning the items that are almost always cheapest at Costco. And no, we're not only talking about the beloved $2 slice of pizza from the food court.
"Costco isn't automatically cheapest on everything," says Caroline Grace, a growth strategist for consumer packaged goods and founder of Product & Prosper. "Fresh produce and perishables can go bad before you finish them, and your grocery store's weekly sales can occasionally win. But on the shelf-stable staples you'd buy anyway? Costco wins almost every time."
Ahead, we spoke with retail experts about items that you'll find at Costco that are almost always cheaper than what you'll find anywhere else.
Rotisserie chicken
The rotisserie chicken is a hot item at Costco not only because it's delicious but also because it's a great value. According to Nicole Arnett Sanders, PhD, a consumer behaviorist at FiftySix Insights, Costco loses money on this one on purpose. "It's been about $5 for years, so it sets the pricing tone for the store so everything else feels like a steal," she says.
Olive oil
The Kirkland brand consistently comes out cheapest by weight, according to Sanders. Kirkland Signature's Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil is $20.99 for 2 liters, compared to Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil at $37 for 1 liter.
Fragrance
We all know that fragrance, whether perfume or cologne, can be expensive when bought online or at traditional retail stores. However, you'll often find them for a good value at Costco. "Costco carries Creed, Hugo Boss, Dolce & Gabbana, among others, and all are well under what you'd pay at a department store counter or specialty retailers," says Sanders. "Fragrance is a huge markup category normally, so the discount is steep.”
For example, you can find Viktor&Rolf's Flowerbomb perfume for $79.99 at Costco, where it can cost $180+ at Sephora and other retailers.
Nuts
According to Grace, nuts are one of the most marked-up snack categories at the grocery store, but Costco's volume buying drives the per-pound price way down. "The resealable tubs can keep good for months, and Kirkland's nuts are as good as any national brand," she explains.
OTC medicine and vitamins
Grace says that over-the-counter medications and vitamins might be the biggest quiet savings in the whole store. "The Kirkland version has the exact same active ingredient (that's an FDA requirement), and pills last for years," says. "Easily half the price, sometimes less."
Block cheese
If you're a cheese fiend, you'll find Costco's block cheese a great value. "Cheese in block form lasts long enough that the bigger size actually makes sense, and you can also use it a variety of ways, so you're getting more for your dollar."
Skincare products
Skincare products like CeraVe and Cetaphil come in two-packs and giant tubs, and the per-ounce savings are huge at Costco, according to Sanders. "A single jar of CeraVe cream is around $18 at the store, and the Costco set works out to be less per ounce," she explains. "The best part is these are things you actually finish, which is what makes buying in bulk worth it."
Laundry, dish, and cleaning supplies
You'll always need laundry and dish detergent, among other cleaning supplies, so it's best to stock up when you're at Costco. "They are used constantly, so they move in volume and never spoil," says Grace.
Paper goods
You can't go wrong with buying paper goods like toilet paper and paper towels at Costco. "These never go bad, so buying big is pure savings with no downside other than figuring out where to store it," says Sanders.
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