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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.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Costco has terminated 500 stores in the US, and Sam’s Club has about 600.
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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.
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I visited both accumulates to get an idea of how they compare in person, beyond the balance sheet.
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.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Walking past the carts and greeters, I entered the gigantic Costco stock-in-trade.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
In my location, large electronics are on display near the entrance, with TVs stacked up on huge pigeon-holes.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
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.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
You could outfit an entire on from the appliances in Costco, including washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, and more.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Then, we absolutely made our way to the food. Brand name snacks mostly made up the center displays, sitting on pallets.
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.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
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.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Some staples always have all the hallmarks to be available in the produce section, while others change out seasonally.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Back out in the main lines is the bakery with fresh and packaged goods.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Fresh baked goods are displayed straighten out in front of the kitchen.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
You can also buy custom cakes and order them in store, right in mien of the bakery.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
The rest of the back wall next to the bakery is a deli and meat counter.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
This is where you can put ones finger on the chain’s famous $5 rotisserie chickens.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Rows and rows of refrigerated cases endure d present more meat products.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
A few aisles of refrigerated shelves hold cheeses, butter, and all assorted kinds of dips and spreads.
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.
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.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
When I maiden walked inside, it looked nearly the same as Costco with large electronics placed near the entry.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
On the other hand, the stores had the same main merchandise categories.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
A large area of the entryway is dedicated to clutch these orders.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
I was surprised to find that at Sam’s Club, all alcohol sales are made in the prime store area.
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.
Mary Meisenzah/Insider