scorecardWe visited Costco stores in the both the US and UK and were shocked by just how similar the shopping experience is on both sides of the Atlantic
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  4. We visited Costco stores in the both the US and UK and were shocked by just how similar the shopping experience is on both sides of the Atlantic

We visited Costco stores in the both the US and UK and were shocked by just how similar the shopping experience is on both sides of the Atlantic

Mary Meisenzahl,Mary Hanbury   

We visited Costco stores in the both the US and UK and were shocked by just how similar the shopping experience is on both sides of the Atlantic
Costco store in Rochester.Mohammad Khursheed/REUTERS
  • We visited Costco locations in the US and UK.
  • The shopping experience was near identical on both sides of the Atlantic.

We visited Costco in Rochester, New York to see how it compares to the big box store's UK locations.

We visited Costco in Rochester, New York to see how it compares to the big box store
Costco.      Mohammad Khursheed/REUTERS

As we walked in, a greeter at the door reminds people to have their membership cards out. We walked by the membership center, where potential customers can join.

As we walked in, a greeter at the door reminds people to have their membership cards out. We walked by the membership center, where potential customers can join.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Walking past the carts and greeters, we entered the gigantic Costco warehouse.

Walking past the carts and greeters, we entered the gigantic Costco warehouse.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

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

In my location, large electronics are on display near the entrance, with TVs stacked up on huge shelves.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There's never just one of any item, they seem to keep going almost endlessly.

There
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

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

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

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

You could outfit an entire home from the appliances in Costco, including washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, and more.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Then there are dozens of types of smaller appliances, like toaster ovens, coffee makers, and Instant Pots.

Then there are dozens of types of smaller appliances, like toaster ovens, coffee makers, and Instant Pots.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Finally, along this wall there are mattresses.

Finally, along this wall there are mattresses.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

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

Then, we finally made our way to the food. Brand name snacks mostly made up the center displays, sitting on pallets.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

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

Products are loosely organized by type, like snacks with snacks or baked goods with baked goods, but it
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

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

For the most part, every section is inside the main warehouse itself, but dairy and some fruits and vegetables have their own separate sections off the main area.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The rooms are like a smaller version of the main area, with shelves along the walls and pallets in the center. The room is kept colder than the rest of the store to keep produce fresh.

The rooms are like a smaller version of the main area, with shelves along the walls and pallets in the center. The room is kept colder than the rest of the store to keep produce fresh.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

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

Some staples always seem to be available in the produce section, while others change out seasonally.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

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

Back out in the main warehouse is the bakery with fresh and packaged goods.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Fresh baked goods are displayed right in front of the kitchen.

Fresh baked goods are displayed right in front of the kitchen.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

You can look back behind the counter and see the bakery employees preparing more products.

You can look back behind the counter and see the bakery employees preparing more products.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

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

You can also buy custom cakes and order them in store.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

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

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

This is where you can find the chain's famous $5 rotisserie chickens.

This is where you can find the chain
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Rows and rows of refrigerated cases hold more meat products.

Rows and rows of refrigerated cases hold more meat products.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

More freezer aisles hold butter, cheese, and some refrigerated prepared meals.

More freezer aisles hold butter, cheese, and some refrigerated prepared meals.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Costco changes out inventory to go with the season, in this case a cannoli kit, macarons, and other holiday dishes to share.

Costco changes out inventory to go with the season, in this case a cannoli kit, macarons, and other holiday dishes to share.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Other displays clearly show we're getting into December and the holiday season with sparkling grape juice and hot cocoa.

Other displays clearly show we
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The rest of that side of the store is aisles of food and drinks.

The rest of that side of the store is aisles of food and drinks.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Huge freezers are full of frozen meals, desserts, and other dishes.

Huge freezers are full of frozen meals, desserts, and other dishes.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The dairy room is also off of this section of the store.

The dairy room is also off of this section of the store.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Back in the center of the store are more non-food items.

Back in the center of the store are more non-food items.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There are rows and rows of coats, sweatshirts, leggings, sweatpants, and other clothing for men, women, and children.

There are rows and rows of coats, sweatshirts, leggings, sweatpants, and other clothing for men, women, and children.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

It doesn't stop there. Just about everything you could possibly need is probably available at Costco.

It doesn
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There are mega packs of batteries...

There are mega packs of batteries...
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

...the newest Phones...

...the newest Phones...
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

...and Christmas decor.

...and Christmas decor.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Another small section has flowers and pre-made bouquets.

Another small section has flowers and pre-made bouquets.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Beyond the flowers, Costco has a few mini-stores with services inside, including the pharmacy here.

Beyond the flowers, Costco has a few mini-stores with services inside, including the pharmacy here.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

An optical section looks like any standalone eyeglasses store, with hundreds of pairs to try on.

An optical section looks like any standalone eyeglasses store, with hundreds of pairs to try on.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There's also a hearing aid center for customers.

There
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

From there we went to get in line to checkout. The line always extends out into the aisles.

From there we went to get in line to checkout. The line always extends out into the aisles.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There are probably about 15 checkout lanes staffed by Costco workers, plus a few self-checkout lanes.

There are probably about 15 checkout lanes staffed by Costco workers, plus a few self-checkout lanes.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There are all kinds of boxes around checkout to help you carry all your purchases to your car.

There are all kinds of boxes around checkout to help you carry all your purchases to your car.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Just past the checkout lanes, the food court sells food and drinks, and tables have returned since early COVID restrictions.

Just past the checkout lanes, the food court sells food and drinks, and tables have returned since early COVID restrictions.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Next, we headed to a Costco store in South London's Croydon on an icy December evening.

Next, we headed to a Costco store in South London
Insider/Mary Hanbury

This was our first visit to a Costco store in the UK and on first impression, the layout was almost identical to its US equivalent. The first area I encountered was Costco's in-house opticians where you can buy eyeglasses, lenses, and have eye tests done.

This was our first visit to a Costco store in the UK and on first impression, the layout was almost identical to its US equivalent. The first area I encountered was Costco
Insider/Mary Hanbury

The front of the store was similarly home to large appliances and electronics such as fridges, stoves, and TVs.

The front of the store was similarly home to large appliances and electronics such as fridges, stoves, and TVs.
Insider/Mary Hanbury

Close by was a large assortment of seasonal products such as Christmas trees and decorations that customers could easily access as they entered the store, along with the odd wild card such as hot tubs.

Close by was a large assortment of seasonal products such as Christmas trees and decorations that customers could easily access as they entered the store, along with the odd wild card such as hot tubs.
Insider/Mary Hanbury

All the pricier items seemed to be located directly at the front of the store, making it impossible for shoppers to miss them.

All the pricier items seemed to be located directly at the front of the store, making it impossible for shoppers to miss them.
Insider/Mary Hanbury

As I headed deeper into the store, it became apparent just how giant this location was.

As I headed deeper into the store, it became apparent just how giant this location was.
Insider/Mary Hanbury

Products were stacked up sky-high on shelves and the breadth of the assortment was unlike any other store I have been to.

Products were stacked up sky-high on shelves and the breadth of the assortment was unlike any other store I have been to.
Insider/Mary Hanbury

Next, I headed to the grocery section, which was right at the back of the store.

Next, I headed to the grocery section, which was right at the back of the store.
Insider/Mary Hanbury

Similar to the US store, there was a separate room dedicated to fresh produce, which is considerably chillier to keep groceries fresh.

Similar to the US store, there was a separate room dedicated to fresh produce, which is considerably chillier to keep groceries fresh.
Insider/Mary Hanbury

Costco's widely popular rotisserie chickens were in a prominent place, costing £3.99, matching the US' $5 version.

Costco
Insider/Mary Hanbury

It was in the food section that it became most apparent that the assortment does differ in US and UK Costcos. Here we spotted lots of British meat.

It was in the food section that it became most apparent that the assortment does differ in US and UK Costcos. Here we spotted lots of British meat.
Insider/Mary Hanbury

And local favorites such as Victoria sponge cake or Cornish clotted cream.

And local favorites such as Victoria sponge cake or Cornish clotted cream.
Insider/Mary Hanbury

But there was a good assortment of international cuisine too – ready-made curries, Spanish tortillas, and ramen, for example.

But there was a good assortment of international cuisine too – ready-made curries, Spanish tortillas, and ramen, for example.
Insider/Mary Hanbury

We spotted some household US names too.

We spotted some household US names too.
Insider/Mary Hanbury

Costco's widely popular Kirkland brand products could be seen all around the store, including Kirkland wines that cost under $20.

Costco
Insider/Mary Hanbury

Mountains of cheap clothing, books, and children's toys were piled up on tables in the center of the store.

Mountains of cheap clothing, books, and children
Insider/Mary Hanbury

I spotted basics from well-known brands such as Under Armour and Puma in this fairly chaotic mix.

I spotted basics from well-known brands such as Under Armour and Puma in this fairly chaotic mix.
Insider/Mary Hanbury

As I headed toward the checkout, I passed by rows of snack foods tactfully positioned to tempt shoppers en route.

As I headed toward the checkout, I passed by rows of snack foods tactfully positioned to tempt shoppers en route.
Insider/Mary Hanbury

Beauty and healthcare products took up a large area next to the checkout too.

Beauty and healthcare products took up a large area next to the checkout too.
Insider/Mary Hanbury

And in the distance, the bright lights of the food court beckoned.

And in the distance, the bright lights of the food court beckoned.
Insider/Mary Hanbury

Along with its signature £1.50 ($2) hot dog that's served with a soda, you could pick up pizza slices, a chicken sandwich, and the old UK favorite: cottage pie, a dish with minced beef and mashed potato.

Along with its signature £1.50 ($2) hot dog that
Insider/Mary Hanbury

As customers lined up to show their sales slips to exit the store, Costco made one last push to market other member services such as discounted car hire or life insurance.

As customers lined up to show their sales slips to exit the store, Costco made one last push to market other member services such as discounted car hire or life insurance.
Insider/Mary Hanbury

There was also a place to buy tires (or tyres) and have punctures repaired.

There was also a place to buy tires (or tyres) and have punctures repaired.
Insider/Mary Hanbury

Overall, the shopping experience at the two stores was near identical aside from some key differences in the food goods on offer so die-hard fans on either side of the Atlantic can rest easy knowing that they're not missing out.

Overall, the shopping experience at the two stores was near identical aside from some key differences in the food goods on offer so die-hard fans on either side of the Atlantic can rest easy knowing that they
Insider/Mary Hanbury

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