Costco is well-known for good deals and the ability to buy in bulk, but there are some hush-hush store details that could help get you an even bigger bang for your buck.
Shopping savant Shivani Khosla (@khoslaa) recently posted a viral TikTok video, titled “Secrets that Costco doesn’t want you to know,” which revealed to her followers what they need to look out for to score better savings.
She pointed out that Costco admittedly takes a loss on its rotisserie chicken, but the company places it at the very rear of the store to make up for it — forcing you to walk through the entire market in the hopes that you’ll add some other items to your cart along the way.
Another item they keep in the back is toilet paper, one of their best-selling products.
Khosla also looked at the actual price labels and the hidden details right in front of your eyes.
She explained that anything ending in “.99” is the regular price, but if it ends in “.97,” it’s on clearance
Plus, anything with an asterisk at the top of a sign means it’s the last time it will be on sale — so get it now.
The TikTokker went on to explain that the Kirkland brand sells the same products as higher-end ones but at a much cheaper price.
Khosla explained that there’s a viral rumor that the Kirkland vodka is “basically” made by the same manufacturer as Grey Goose — which the latter label has flat-out denied as “completely false.”
However, she previously shared a TikTok comparing the two and subjectively said they tasted the same.
She also claimed that Kirkland coffee beans are “the same ones they use at Starbucks.” Stories have previously noted a connection to the famed Seattle roaster; however, others have noted a connection to Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, specifically regarding K-cups.
The Post has reached out to Costco for comment.
Khosla also revealed that Kirkland batteries are “made by Duracell,” a tip confirmed by former Costco CEO Craig Jelinek in a 2016 interview.
Another secret she claimed is that Costco employees rearrange the store regularly, forcing customers to walk around to find what they’re looking for.
“It’s called a treasure hunt,” she said. “It definitely works.”
She suggested that the average time a person spends in Costco is about 38 minutes, claiming that is about 10 minutes more than other retail stores — which has been echoed by other TikTokkers as well.
Back in September, business news site Morning Brew and Phil Andrews of @maxinomicsmb, a YouTube channel that explores spending habits, revealed that from the moment someone walks into a Costco, they’re set to spend about $1.75 per minute.
“It’s why food samples are in the back, taking at least 30 seconds to walk to,” Andrews said, which leaves plenty of time for the shopper to get distracted and add something to their cart. “And with no signs to tell you where anything is, it becomes a bit of a treasure hunt.”
Users in the comments of Khosla’s video shared their insights as well.
“If the price is highlighted, then it’s heavily reduced. You often see it in the fruit and vegetable section but you can see it in some of the other food sections,” one person claimed.
“Costco working overtime to make sure they move their products around daily,” another joked.
“Most of these are correct, good spot on the inactive and active star signs,” one commenter said.
