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  4. Shopping at Costco can look completely different depending on the country - here are all the main differences

Shopping at Costco can look completely different depending on the country - here are all the main differences

A Costco in Los Angeles has everything Costco is known for having.

Shopping at Costco can look completely different depending on the country - here are all the main differences

Including vast isles filled with food and drink items.

Including vast isles filled with food and drink items.

All the technology you could ever need.

All the technology you could ever need.

A wide selection of clothing.

A wide selection of clothing.

And things you never knew you needed in bulk, like 72 Eggo Homestyle waffles.

And things you never knew you needed in bulk, like 72 Eggo Homestyle waffles.

There's also a "small batch" of Kentucky straight bourbon.

There

And some things you never knew you needed at all, like this electric fireplace.

And some things you never knew you needed at all, like this electric fireplace.

Most of the world's Costco warehouses are in the US and Canada. But in Canada, Costco is the only warehouse club store.

Most of the world

That means that in Canada, Costco doesn't have to compete with other stores like Sam's Club or BJ's Wholesale.

That means that in Canada, Costco doesn

So Costco does really well in Canada.

So Costco does really well in Canada.

In fact, it's the second-largest retailer in all of Canada after Walmart.

In fact, it

While Costco warehouses around the world have many local vendors supplying their products, Costco Canada's selection may be more like Costco warehouses in the US than any other country.

While Costco warehouses around the world have many local vendors supplying their products, Costco Canada

And this is because Costco Canada gets some of its vendors from the US.

And this is because Costco Canada gets some of its vendors from the US.

"If we notice in the US something's doing extremely well, and it makes sense with what we know our member wants today, we'll call that vendor and say, 'Want to come up in Canada and meet with us?'" a senior food VP at Costco told Canadian Grocer.

"If we notice in the US something

Across the pond, Costco has 28 locations in the UK, one of which is in Manchester, England.

Across the pond, Costco has 28 locations in the UK, one of which is in Manchester, England.

Costco works a bit different in the UK. Aside from plenty of UK brands, one other trait sets UK Costco warehouses apart.

Costco works a bit different in the UK. Aside from plenty of UK brands, one other trait sets UK Costco warehouses apart.

In the UK, Costco memberships are cheaper, but they're not for everyone.

In the UK, Costco memberships are cheaper, but they

In order to get a membership at Costco in the UK, you have to have one of only a few different occupations.

In order to get a membership at Costco in the UK, you have to have one of only a few different occupations.

The different occupations range from finance to public service, and they can all be found on Costco's website.

The different occupations range from finance to public service, and they can all be found on Costco

This is because, in the UK, Costco keeps a "low profile," and only wants customers with "steadier jobs," according to the Guardian. And the result is a lower membership fee.

This is because, in the UK, Costco keeps a "low profile," and only wants customers with "steadier jobs," according to the Guardian. And the result is a lower membership fee.

Across the globe, Costco has 26 stores in Japan.

Across the globe, Costco has 26 stores in Japan.

In Japan's Costco stores, you'll see both English and Japanese languages on products and throughout the store.

In Japan

While sections like tech are pretty similar to other Costco stores ...

While sections like tech are pretty similar to other Costco stores ...

... the significant differences come in the seafood section, as you might've guessed, where this crab was on sale for almost $200.

... the significant differences come in the seafood section, as you might

There's even seafood incorporated into their prepared foods, like this pizza, which has shrimp and squid on it.

There

Costco in Japan is also known for its meat section, which includes beef bulgogi, a product that isn't sold in Costco warehouses in the US.

Costco in Japan is also known for its meat section, which includes beef bulgogi, a product that isn

Also, in Japan, Costco warehouses are open 364 days a year — every day except January 1, unlike US locations, which close for major holidays.

Also, in Japan, Costco warehouses are open 364 days a year — every day except January 1, unlike US locations, which close for major holidays.

Just southwest of Japan, Costco in China has a really interesting situation.

Just southwest of Japan, Costco in China has a really interesting situation.

In all of China, there is only one Costco.

In all of China, there is only one Costco.

And it just opened in the summer of 2019.

And it just opened in the summer of 2019.

Opening day at Costco Shanghai was extremely crowded and chaotic.

Opening day at Costco Shanghai was extremely crowded and chaotic.

In fact, the sheer volume of members at Costco Shanghai's opening day broke records.

In fact, the sheer volume of members at Costco Shanghai

So much so that the warehouse had to close early.

So much so that the warehouse had to close early.

In Shanghai, Costco's customers are drawn to the meat section for its low prices ...

In Shanghai, Costco

... especially those rotisserie chickens.

... especially those rotisserie chickens.

After such a crazy opening day, Costco plans to open another store in Shanghai, China.

After such a crazy opening day, Costco plans to open another store in Shanghai, China.

Just southeast of China, Costco has 13 locations in Taiwan. This one is in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Just southeast of China, Costco has 13 locations in Taiwan. This one is in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

It has an escalator that holds shopping carts ...

It has an escalator that holds shopping carts ...

... and ads line the walls in light-up boxes.

... and ads line the walls in light-up boxes.

About two-fifths of the products in Taiwan's Costco warehouses come from the US.

About two-fifths of the products in Taiwan

Some of their locally sourced items include these fresh cakes that come in many flavors.

Some of their locally sourced items include these fresh cakes that come in many flavors.

Far south of Taiwan, Australia has 11 Costco locations.

Far south of Taiwan, Australia has 11 Costco locations.

All Costco warehouses locally source vendors, and Australia's Costco warehouses are no different.

All Costco warehouses locally source vendors, and Australia

In fact, most of the produce in Australia's Costco warehouses is locally grown.

In fact, most of the produce in Australia

And Costco sells Australian Angus beef, which also supports the local farming industry.

And Costco sells Australian Angus beef, which also supports the local farming industry.

This particular Australian Costco has a shockingly huge home section, according to Business Insider.

This particular Australian Costco has a shockingly huge home section, according to Business Insider.

Like in the other countries, Australia's Costco warehouses look like Costco warehouses in the US, but some key differences are worth noting if you're a traveling Costco member.

Like in the other countries, Australia

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