Costco has made a name for itself toting larger containers of food products, various accessories, furniture pieces, and so much more. However, if you head into Costco with a specific item in your mind, we have bad news for you: There’s a chance you’ll leave disappointed, with said product absent among the items in your shopping cart. Operating like a warehouse helps keep costs low at Costco, and what you’ll find stocked on store shelves is what the store has. Asking employees to check the back of the store for additional items is in vain, so you may want to grab whatever you see while you still can.
To further complicate matters, Costco products are not guaranteed from store to store. Even though the Costco brand is international, the inventory for warehouses can be sourced from local suppliers and regional operators. This is why visiting your aunt in Colorado may mean that a trip to Costco looks different than when you are shopping back home in Oklahoma. This type of treasure hunt shopping experience can be fun for some and infuriating for others.
When shopping turns into a search
Though missing items can be a frustrating detour if you have a particular recipe in mind, local differentiators can serve as a compass as you explore new tastes and products. Around 40% of Costco’s inventory can be collected from regional providers, so while you may have a specific jam you are used to picking up in bulk, you may not be able to locate the exact same product on display in a different area. Beyond regional factors, each Costco warehouse is carefully managed. Spatial limitations will dictate how many items can be stocked onto store shelves at a given time. While some items go viral and are quickly moved from product displays, others might be low in stock or on the verge of being discontinued.
Sure, you can head to Costco ready to fill your pantry with enough peanut butter to get you through making many batches of easy buckeyes and chocolate peanut butter haystacks, but if you may have a specific product in mind when strolling the store’s aisles, you may want to rethink your buying strategy. If you truly have your heart set on a particular item, head to Costco’s online store instead to find exactly what you need.
