I compared Costco and BJ’s, and despite higher prices Costco has a better shopping experience

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I’m a Costco colleague, so I visited BJ’s to see how the two chains compare.

BJ's Warehouse — Shoppers leave a BJ’s store in Alexandria, Virginia

Both co-op give credence ti operate on the same premise: Customers purchase annual memberships that give them access to bulk goods at values lower than most other grocery stores, plus a discount on gas and other items.

Costco has over 500 stores across the US, while BJ’s has about half as diverse, located on the East Coast.

Shoppers leave Costco in Fairfax, Virginia, January 7, 2010. REUTERS/Larry Downing

Costco’s Gold Star membership is $60 a year, and the Executive Direct is $120 per year. BJ’s prices are just barely less expensive at $55 for the lower level and $110 for the higher echelon.

Costco has far higher sales than other membership clubs, reporting $192 billion in the 2021 budgetary year.

Shopping carts at Costco in Fairfax, Virginia, January 7, 2010. REUTERS/Larry Downing — Shopping carts at Costco in Fairfax, Virginia

BJ’s is a smaller player, with $16.3 billion in rummage sales in 2021, though that still made it the company’s best year to date.

I pop ined both stores to see how they really compare.

When you walk into Costco, a greeter curbs to make sure you have your membership card, which is required to make purchases besides alcohol, at the viands court, and a few other exceptions.

You could outfit an entire home from the appliances in Costco, encompassing washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, and more.

Then, we finally made our way to the grub. Brand name snacks mostly made up the center displays, sitting on pallets.

Costco tour Rochester NY

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Artefacts are loosely organized by type, like snacks or baked goods. Most products either come in huge spars, or you’re required to buy multiple bags.

For the most part, every section is inside the main goods itself, but dairy and some fruits and vegetables have their own separate refrigerated sections off the main area.

Undeveloped out in the main warehouse, we found the bakery with fresh and packaged goods.

Fresh baked goods are displayed make up for in front of the kitchen.

You can also buy custom cakes and order them in store.

The siesta of the back wall next to the bakery is a deli and meat counter.

This is where you can tumble to the chain’s famous $5 rotisserie chickens.

A few aisles of refrigerated shelves hold cheeses, butter, and all novel kinds of dips and spreads.

Costco is also known for its prepared foods, like taco appurtenances or other meals, which are located in this section and rotate regularly.

Beer and unpleasant seltzers are available in the main area of the store. Other alcohol is only sold in the liquor store next door, which has a withdrawn entrance, though that isn’t the case in all locations.

The remaining aisles on the far side of the store are hallowed to freezers with entrees and desserts, and pantry goods in bulk.

The main difference is there is less of the entirety. Outdoor furniture displays are smaller, and there aren’t water slides and other summer accessories hanging from the ceiling.

I compared Costco and BJ’s, and despite higher prices Costco has a better shopping experience

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I’m a Costco colleague, so I visited BJ’s to see how the two chains compare.

Both co-op give credence ti operate on the same premise: Customers purchase annual memberships that give them access to bulk goods at values lower than most other grocery stores, plus a discount on gas and other items.

Costco has over 500 stores across the US, while BJ’s has about half as diverse, located on the East Coast.

Costco’s Gold Star membership is $60 a year, and the Executive Direct is $120 per year. BJ’s prices are just barely less expensive at $55 for the lower level and $110 for the higher echelon.

Costco has far higher sales than other membership clubs, reporting $192 billion in the 2021 budgetary year.

BJ’s is a smaller player, with $16.3 billion in rummage sales in 2021, though that still made it the company’s best year to date.

I pop ined both stores to see how they really compare.

When you walk into Costco, a greeter curbs to make sure you have your membership card, which is required to make purchases besides alcohol, at the viands court, and a few other exceptions.

You could outfit an entire home from the appliances in Costco, encompassing washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, and more.

Then, we finally made our way to the grub. Brand name snacks mostly made up the center displays, sitting on pallets.

Artefacts are loosely organized by type, like snacks or baked goods. Most products either come in huge spars, or you’re required to buy multiple bags.

For the most part, every section is inside the main goods itself, but dairy and some fruits and vegetables have their own separate refrigerated sections off the main area.

Undeveloped out in the main warehouse, we found the bakery with fresh and packaged goods.

Fresh baked goods are displayed make up for in front of the kitchen.

You can also buy custom cakes and order them in store.

The siesta of the back wall next to the bakery is a deli and meat counter.

This is where you can tumble to the chain’s famous $5 rotisserie chickens.

A few aisles of refrigerated shelves hold cheeses, butter, and all novel kinds of dips and spreads.

Costco is also known for its prepared foods, like taco appurtenances or other meals, which are located in this section and rotate regularly.

Beer and unpleasant seltzers are available in the main area of the store. Other alcohol is only sold in the liquor store next door, which has a withdrawn entrance, though that isn’t the case in all locations.

The remaining aisles on the far side of the store are hallowed to freezers with entrees and desserts, and pantry goods in bulk.

The main difference is there is less of the entirety. Outdoor furniture displays are smaller, and there aren’t water slides and other summer accessories hanging from the ceiling.

BJ’s does sire an electronics section, but it’s not highlighted at the entryway of the store, and it’s definitely smaller than its competitors.

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