I'm an American who visited Iceland's only Costco location. I was shocked by how similar it was to US stores.

Talia LakritzJul 13, 2023, 00:04 IST

I visited Costco in Garðabær, Iceland.Talia Lakritz/Insider<ul class="summary-list"><li>I visited Iceland's only Costco store, which is in Garðabær, about 6 miles south of Reykjavík.</li><li>It looked exactly the same as US Costco stores I've been to, aside from Icelandic signs.</li></ul>A $60 annual Costco membership is valid at all <a href="https://investor.costco.com/company-profile/default.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">854 warehouse locations</a> worldwide, including <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-costco-canada-compares-to-us-photos-2022-9">Canada</a>, China, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-its-like-to-shop-at-costco-in-us-uk-2021-12">the UK</a>.On a <a href="https://www.insider.com/luxury-hotel-iceland-hotel-ranga-2023-7" rel>recent trip to Iceland</a>, I <a href="https://www.insider.com/iceland-costco-food-court-photos-2023-6" rel>visited the country's only Costco store.</a> I found items that I've never seen at US locations, but I was mostly surprised to find how similar it was to American stores.Here's what my shopping experience was like.

Iceland's first and only Costco store opened in 2017.

Costco in Iceland.Talia Lakritz/Insider

When I walked inside, I felt transported right back to my local New York City Costco store. The layout was exactly the same.

Costco in Iceland.Talia Lakritz/Insider

The only indication that I was in Iceland were the Icelandic signs for different sections of the store.

The pharmacy at Costco in Iceland.Talia Lakritz/Insider

The food court, located near the checkout counters, was smaller than those I've seen at Costco stores on the East Coast, but sold many of the same items.

Costco in Garðabær, Iceland.Talia Lakritz/Insider

The food-court prices in Iceland were a bit higher than in the US.

Costco in Garðabær, Iceland.Talia Lakritz/Insider

The main difference I noticed was the addition of an orange-flavored Icelandic soda called Egils Appelsin on the soda fountains.

A soda fountain at Costco in Iceland featuring an orange-flavored Icelandic soda called Egils Appelsin.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Warm clothes like sweaters, which are still necessary during Iceland's summer months, were on full display when I visited in June.

Costco in Iceland.Talia Lakritz/Insider

The grocery section mostly featured Costco's Kirkland-brand products and the same baked goods sold in stores worldwide, though the prices were a bit steeper.

Muffins at Costco in Iceland.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I loved seeing whimsical cakes with "Happy birthday" written in Icelandic.

A Costco birthday cake in Iceland.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Costco samples appeared to be a standard practice, as well.

Costco in Iceland.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I did spot some unique Icelandic items, like these Vikingr dried fish fillets, called hardfiskur.

Dried fish fillets at Costco in Iceland.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I was also surprised to find numerous British products for sale.

Marmite at Costco in Iceland.Talia Lakritz/Insider

The toilet paper cost slightly less at the Costco in Iceland than in the US.

Toilet paper at Costco in Iceland.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Aisles of sporting equipment featured kayaks, bicycles, and scooters.

Kayaks for sale at Costco in Iceland.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Like in the US, the store's optical section sold glasses and offered eye exams.

The optical section at Costco in Iceland.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I found that Costco in Iceland was mostly identical to Costco stores I've visited in the US, aside from some higher prices and a few unique local items.

Costco in Garðabær, Iceland.Talia Lakritz/Insider

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I'm an American who visited Iceland's only Costco location. I was shocked by how similar it was to US stores.

Iceland's first and only Costco store opened in 2017.

When I walked inside, I felt transported right back to my local New York City Costco store. The layout was exactly the same.

The only indication that I was in Iceland were the Icelandic signs for different sections of the store.

The food court, located near the checkout counters, was smaller than those I've seen at Costco stores on the East Coast, but sold many of the same items.

The food-court prices in Iceland were a bit higher than in the US.

The main difference I noticed was the addition of an orange-flavored Icelandic soda called Egils Appelsin on the soda fountains.

Warm clothes like sweaters, which are still necessary during Iceland's summer months, were on full display when I visited in June.

The grocery section mostly featured Costco's Kirkland-brand products and the same baked goods sold in stores worldwide, though the prices were a bit steeper.

I loved seeing whimsical cakes with "Happy birthday" written in Icelandic.

Costco samples appeared to be a standard practice, as well.

I did spot some unique Icelandic items, like these Vikingr dried fish fillets, called hardfiskur.

I was also surprised to find numerous British products for sale.

The toilet paper cost slightly less at the Costco in Iceland than in the US.

Aisles of sporting equipment featured kayaks, bicycles, and scooters.

Like in the US, the store's optical section sold glasses and offered eye exams.

I found that Costco in Iceland was mostly identical to Costco stores I've visited in the US, aside from some higher prices and a few unique local items.