Latest news with #PriceClub
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Costco Announces It Will Close All U.S. Stores on May 26
Costco has become one of the biggest names in the membership-only warehouse club store business. The chain first opened under the name Price Club on Morena Boulevard in San Diego in 1976, and today, there are more than 600 Costco stores across the U.S. While the chain has stores throughout the country, the state with the biggest number of Costco locations in the U.S. is California, with 142 stores, according to ScrapeHero, which is about 23% of all Costco stores in the U.S. Those hoping to hit up Costco on a particular day off in May will have to make other plans, because the company has confirmed that it will close all of its locations on one day in May. Costco has announced that it will close all of its U.S. stores for the entire day on Memorial Day, which takes place on May 26 this year. This announcement is in line with Costco's tradition of closing all stores on major holidays, such as Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. So, those hoping to rush to Costco on Memorial Day for some last-minute supplies for a barbecue or get-together should make plans to go there earlier in the holiday weekend. "Memorial Day honors the sacrifice and loss of those who served and died in the military," according to the Wounded Warrior Project. "Veterans Day honors all who have served in the U.S. military. "Memorial Day, a federal holiday held the last Monday in May, is the nation's foremost annual day to mourn and honor its deceased service men and women," adds the National Cemetery Administration. Costco is a "membership warehouse club, dedicated to bringing our members the best possible prices on quality brand-name merchandise. With hundreds of locations worldwide, Costco provides a wide selection of merchandise, plus the convenience of specialty departments and exclusive member services, all designed to make your shopping experience a pleasurable one," according to the company.
Miami Herald
08-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
The secret way some Costco shoppers are getting the best deals
When I moved to Indianapolis in 1994, one of the first things I looked for was a Costco. Having moved from California, where Costco runs were part of my routine, I was shocked to learn there wasn't one. Where was I going to buy my dog food, laundry detergent, and dark roast coffee in bulk? Winco just wasn't the same (sorry, Winco). In fact, Costco didn't make it to Indiana until 2002, years after I'd left. First thing I did when I moved back west? Renew my Costco membership. These days, there is a Costco in almost every state (Rhode Island, West Virginia and Wyoming are still waiting), and plenty of cities have multiple locations. The company has been expanding at breakneck speed, and is now the third-largest retailer in the world. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter The company's growth can be traced in part to its mission: "Our operating philosophy has been simple. Keep costs down and pass the savings on to our members. Our large membership base and tremendous buying power, combined with our never-ending quest for efficiency, result in the best possible prices for our members," per the company's website. People, including me, love Costco (COST) , and they're not afraid to brag about the good deals they find in the store's aisles. When David and Susan Schwartz decided to write a book about Costco, they visited more than 200 locations and learned just about everything there is to know about the mega retailer. Their seven years (!) of Costco research turned up a treasure trove of slang used by both employees and shoppers. Related: Costco answers a common customer question Among the most common terms, according to the authors: Go-Backs. Any item that a shopper brings to the check-out area but then decides not to buy and leaves at the cashier or self-checkout area is called a "go-back" because it has to be returned to its designated part of the store. The Fence. You know how when you first walk into any Costco, there's an area up front surrounded by a chain-link fence? It's where special promotional items, including some seasonal items, are stacked. According to the Schwartzes, the fence is a remnant from Price Club in San Diego, the company's first location. The store had a chain-link fence at the entrance, and when Price Club and Costco merged, the leadership team decided it was too expensive to remove it and left it in place to use for merchandising. Now, all Costco locations have the same feature at the entrance. The Death Star. If you look closely at some product signs, you will notice a small asterisk in the upper right-hand corner. The symbol means the product is about to be discontinued. The product might be gone temporarily, or it might be 86ed forever, so if you like it, stock up. Showtime Ready. Some Costco employees' shifts begin at 4 a.m. This first shift arrives to make sure the store is ready for customers. "Showtime Ready" time at Costco may also be an opportunity for early birds. Costco warehouses typically open a bit later in the morning than other big-box retailers like Target and Walmart. Some locations open at 9 a.m. on weekdays, but most open at 10; weekend hours also vary by location. If you're a Costco shopper, you probably know exactly when the ideal time is to head to the warehouse. For me, it's 6 p.m. or later Monday through Friday, and never, ever will I set foot in the store on a weekend. Related: Costco's craft brewery collab is the best deal around But some stores actually welcome customers into the store at least 15 minutes before the official opening. If the store is indeed "showtime ready" - meaning the shelves are full, the aisles are clear of pallets and cardboard boxes, and the food sampling stations have been set up - you might discover you can walk in as soon as they roll up the doors, ahead of the posted store hours. Getting in early makes it more likely you'll be able to find that Kirkland Signature Toilet Paper or carton of eggs before they sell out - at the best prices, of course. The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
