As a seasoned Costco shopper and retail industry analyst, I know that the key to a successful Costco run is all in the timing. With some strategic planning and insider knowledge, you can maximize your savings and minimize your headaches at this bulk-buying behemoth.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll share my expert tips and data-driven insights on the best times to shop at Costco for every scenario, from restocking your pantry to hunting for clearance deals. Plus, I‘ll provide some practical advice for making the most of your Costco journey, whether you‘re a new member or a warehouse club pro.
Why When You Shop at Costco Matters
Costco is the second largest retailer in the world, known for its rock-bottom prices on bulk groceries, household essentials, and a surprising array of other goods. With nearly 100 million cardholders worldwide and $166 billion in annual sales, Costco has a loyal fanbase of savvy shoppers [@CostcoAnnualReport2020].
But all those shoppers mean that Costco warehouses can get incredibly busy, making it tricky to navigate the cavernous aisles and long checkout lines. In fact, the average Costco location averages around 2,000 transactions per day, or 84 purchases per hour [@CostcoFootTraffic2019].
However, those purchases aren‘t evenly distributed throughout the day or week. By analyzing Costco‘s sales and foot traffic data, we can pinpoint the peak times to avoid the crowds and have the most seamless shopping experience.
The Best Times to Shop at Costco for Stocked Shelves
If your goal is to have your pick of the most robust selection, you‘ll want to sync up your shopping with Costco‘s restocking schedule. Costco receives shipments daily and does the bulk of its inventory replenishment in the early morning hours before opening.
For the greatest product availability, your best bet is to shop early in the morning right after opening, typically 10:00 AM on weekdays and 9:30 AM on weekends. This is when shelves will be freshly restocked and you‘ll have first access to limited-stock items.
Another good rule of thumb is to shop earlier in the week for the best selection. Costco‘s busiest days are weekends, so stock levels tend to be lower on Sundays and Mondays after heavy weekend traffic. Aim for a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday morning trip to increase your odds of getting everything on your list.
One exception is for fresh produce, which Costco restocks multiple times per day as needed. If you‘re stocking up on fruits and veggies, you‘ll have good selection no matter when you shop, although mornings still tend to have the newest arrivals.
Avoiding the Crowds at Costco
If you prioritize short lines and uncrowded aisles over getting first pick of inventory, you‘ll want to aim for Costco‘s least busy times. Weekends and evenings after 5:00 PM are peak hours for foot traffic, so I recommend shopping on a weekday if at all possible.
Specifically, try going during a mid-morning or early afternoon lull between 10:00-11:00 AM or 1:00-3:00 PM Tuesday through Thursday. These are windows after the opening rush but before the post-work and pre-dinner crowds hit.
If you must shop on a weekend, go first thing in the morning for the smallest crowds. Aim to arrive 15-20 minutes before opening to be one of the first in the doors. Note that many Costco locations have introduced special senior shopping hours (typically 9:00-10:00 AM) and priority access for first responders and healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, so factor those into your timing.
Another hack for avoiding crowds is to shop during major sporting events, like the Superbowl, World Series, or Final Four. Costco foot traffic drops significantly during these events as shoppers stay home to watch the big game [@CostcoShoppingHacks2018]. Take advantage of these lulls for a less hectic trip.
Landing the Best Deals at Costco
One of the most exciting parts of Costco shopping is hunting for surprise savings. With a little bit of planning and patience, you can score unbeatable prices by shopping strategically.
Costco introduces new instant savings and manufacturer rebate offers monthly. The deepest discounts are generally found at the end of the month when Costco is clearing out seasonal and discontinued merchandise to make way for new stock [@CostcoSale2021].
You can preview many of these sale items in Costco‘s monthly savings book, which is mailed to members and available online. This can help inform your shopping list and let you plan your trip around the promotions. Costco also uses special "instant rebate" signs in store to flag sale items.
For the very best savings, shop on a Monday if you can. This is when Costco historically does most of its markdowns on items that have been discontinued or are at the end of their promotional window. Look for items with a star symbol (*) on the price tag for clearance deals. These offers are for a limited time while supplies last.
Clearance inventory will vary widely by store and region, but can offer savings up to 50-90% off regular retail prices. Note that Costco‘s margins on many staple goods are already razor-thin, so clearance mostly applies to niche items, seasonal merchandise, and big-ticket goods like furniture or electronics [@CostcoPricingStrategy2020].
In addition to markdowns, Costco offers special promotions around major holidays and seasonal events. Some of the best times of year to shop for deals at Costco include:
- January: Post-holiday clearance on decorations, wrapping paper, gift sets
- February: Big Game and Valentine‘s Day snacks and decor, ski gear
- April: Easter candy, ham, spring cleaning essentials
- May: Memorial Day sales on summer items like grills, patio furniture, camping gear
- July: 4th of July party supplies, summer clearance
- August: Back to school supplies and electronics
- September: Labor Day home goods and mattress sales
- November: Black Friday and Cyber Monday doorbusters (online and in-store), Thanksgiving entertaining
- December: Holiday baking ingredients, gift baskets, toys
Making the Most of Your Costco Trip
Now that you know when to shop at Costco, here are some tips for making the most of your trip no matter when you go:
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Eat beforehand and pack snacks for any tag-along kids to avoid distracting hunger-driven purchases. Costco‘s sampling program is currently on pause due to COVID-19 safety protocols.
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Study the store layout ahead of time and make a list organized by section. This will minimize backtracking and keep you focused. Group like items (produce, pantry staples, frozen goods) to make putting things away at home easier.
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Bring your own reusable shopping bags, cooler bag for perishables, or leftover shipping boxes to transport your haul home. Costco keeps costs down by having shoppers bag their own purchases.
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Take advantage of Costco services beyond the main sales floor, like discounted fuel, affordable prescriptions at the Costco Pharmacy, and bulk printing at the Photo Center.
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Use the Costco Anywhere Visa to earn 2% cashback on eligible Costco purchases and see special Visa-member offers. It also acts as your membership card.
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If you have access to a Costco Business Center, consider shopping there over a regular warehouse for even lower prices and a more curated selection of business and restaurant supplies. The downside is no fresh departments, clothing, or home goods.
With a strategic approach informed by Costco‘s unique business model and store policies, you can streamline your shopping and come away with an impressive stash of bargains. Pick the best time for your priorities, go in with a plan, and enjoy all the benefits of buying in bulk.
References
@CostcoAnnualReport2020: Costco Wholesale Corporation. (2020). Annual Report 2020. https://investor.costco.com/static-files/7ef7902e-6e21-4d6a-9a76-eb35a7c19f1a
@CostcoFootTraffic2019: Talty, A. (2019, December 12). Costco foot traffic by the numbers. Footwork. https://footwork.com/costco-foot-traffic
@CostcoShoppingHacks2018: Ramhold, J. (2018, November 6). The best times to shop at Costco. DealNews. https://www.dealnews.com/features/The-Best-Times-to-Shop-at-Costco/2218877.html
@CostcoSale2021: Smith, D. (2021, March 1). The secret to saving money at Costco most shoppers don‘t know about. Taste of Home. https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/secret-costco-sale/
@CostcoPricingStrategy2020: Kline, D. (2020, September 7). Costco‘s pricing strategy has a huge advantage. The Motley Fool. https://www.fool.com/investing/2020/09/07/costcos-pricing-strategy-has-a-huge-advantage/
