Costco Revisited

 Costco Australia - navigating between the aisles.


It is said the main revenue for Costco derives from the annual membership fees. The rest is just bonus income for this business model.


Costco shelves are chock a block with seeming captivations, but one has to often buy in bulk - and this best suits small business operators, large families and those with ample home storage space.


Not everything is a bargain at Costco, but they do sell an increasing variety of items from petrol for vehicles, coffins, optometrist services, white goods, health supplements, liquor and fresh bakery consumables. In USA, the range is even more, offering for example jewellery and tour programmes.


Their trolleys are bigger than their retail competitors.  One can be lulled into stacking so many items in the trolley, but checkout can be a hassle, and on getting out of the Costco door, customers have to show their receipts to inspectors who also make a visual audit of the items in your trolley.


Never go to Costco on a busy day.  There is no social distancing, no face masking and at times, observed possible lack of civility in the behaviour of the crowds.


Costco pricing does awaken at least one thing in me - our main stream supermarkets are charging us more than a bit as they make it a routine to go to them to buy.


There are only three Costco outlets in NSW, centred on huge population hubs in Greater Sydney.  This says a lot abour their emphasis on having a large viable market base before they establish any branches.

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