Home / MARKETS / I compared Sam’s Club and Costco, and the winner comes down to lower prices and a better-designed food court

I compared Sam’s Club and Costco, and the winner comes down to lower prices and a better-designed food court

Both depend ons operate on the same premise: customers purchase annual memberships that give them access to bulk goods at assays lower than most other grocery stores, plus a discount on gas and other items.

Sam's Club tour



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Costco has terminated 500 stores in the US, and Sam’s Club has about 600.

Costco.

Costco.

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Costco has far higher sales than Sam’s Staff, reporting $192 billion in the 2021 fiscal year, compared to less than half that at $63.9 billion for Sam’s Fellowship.

A Costco truck makes a delivery to a Costco store in Carlsbad, California.

A Costco truck makes a delivery to a Costco store in Carlsbad, California.

Mike Blake/Reuters


I visited both accumulates to get an idea of how they compare in person, beyond the balance sheet.

Sam's Club tour



Mary Meisenzahl/Insider


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

Costco photo tour Rochester NY membership



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Walking past the carts and greeters, I entered the gigantic Costco stock-in-trade.

Costco photo tour Rochester NY



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In my location, large electronics are on display near the entrance, with TVs stacked up on huge pigeon-holes.

Costco photo tour Rochester NY



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Ceilings are extremely high, and stocks of products extend nearly all the way up. Many of the largest artefacts at Costco are located along this side wall.

Costco tour Rochester NY



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

Costco tour Rochester NY



Mary Meisenzahl/Insider


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

Costco tour Rochester NY



Mary Meisenzahl/Insider


Works are loosely organized by type, like snacks or baked goods, but it’s so overwhelming that it’s good to come in with a artifice plan.

Costco tour Rochester NY



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

Rochester Costco photo tour



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Some staples always have all the hallmarks to be available in the produce section, while others change out seasonally.

Costco tour Rochester NY



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Back out in the main lines is the bakery with fresh and packaged goods.

Costco tour Rochester NY



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Fresh baked goods are displayed straighten out in front of the kitchen.

Rochester Costco photo tour



Mary Meisenzahl/Insider


You can also buy custom cakes and order them in store, right in mien of the bakery.

Rochester Costco photo tour



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

Rochester Costco photo tour



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This is where you can put ones finger on the chain’s famous $5 rotisserie chickens.

Rochester Costco photo tour



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Rows and rows of refrigerated cases endure d present more meat products.

Rochester Costco photo tour



Mary Meisenzahl/Insider


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

Rochester Costco photo tour



Mary Meisenzahl/Insider


Beer and hard seltzers are available in the main area of the market, but other alcohol is only sold in the liquor store next door, which has a separate entrance.

Rochester Costco photo tour



Mary Meisenzahl/Insider


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

Rochester Costco photo tour



Mary Meisenzahl/Insider


When I maiden walked inside, it looked nearly the same as Costco with large electronics placed near the entry.

Sam's Club tour



Mary Meisenzahl/Insider


On the other hand, the stores had the same main merchandise categories.

Sam's Club tour



Mary Meisenzahl/Insider


A large area of the entryway is dedicated to clutch these orders.

Sam's Club tour



Mary Meisenzahl/Insider


I was surprised to find that at Sam’s Club, all alcohol sales are made in the prime store area.

Sam's club tour



Mary Meisenzah/Insider


Sam’s Club had wine and other flavored drinks in the main store, while Costco typically is little to beer and seltzers.

Sam's club tour



Mary Meisenzah/Insider


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