Walking into Costco without an idea of what you’re going to buy is a recipe for disaster—you’re not making it out unscathed. But the people who really know their way around those shelves don’t simply walk in & see what happens, as they have a plan of exactly where they’re going to go. And, no, it’s not the rotisserie chicken or snack sample line. As per online discussions, here are ten Costco aisles regular shoppers say they visit first and why.
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The Gift Card Rack
Right as you enter, take a hard look to the left at that plain-looking rack near the front wall—that’s where Costco hides a bunch of discounted gift cards. You could find $100 worth of sushi or pizza for $80 and it’s a good place to start looking because these deals don’t hang around long. The restaurant ones are the first to vanish and the better deals are usually bundled in twos or fours, so grab them or miss out.
The “Manager’s Specials” Pallet Stack
You’ll usually see the “manager’s specials” pallet piled low & quiet near the back-center area, almost as though they don’t want anyone to notice it—but if you look around, you’ll find leftover seasonal stuff or cheap overstock. There are no big signs, just good deals and the regulars know this, which is why they go there early to scoop them up. Sometimes, you’ll find weird one-offs like hot tubs or random beauty kits, too.
The Business Center Staples Aisle
Only some Costcos have the Staples section, but if yours does, you should visit it because you could find huge rolls of foil & disposable gloves for relatively cheap. These shelves aren’t fancy, although they have prices that make it worthwhile for anyone who cooks a lot—it’s a first stop if you’re serious about bulk basics. You’ll also see giant jugs of cleaning supplies and paper portion cups, as well as five-pound bags of sugar that are perfect for anyone doing some holiday baking.
The Protein Powder & Supplements Aisle
Skip the overpriced shakes at the gym and go to the supplements aisle, which is usually just past the pharmacy, as you’ll find plenty of markdowns on big tubs of protein & multivitamins. They don’t always show up online or in the coupon book, and they move quickly when they’re discounted, with some tubs being close to $20 off. This is also where sample reps hang out on weekends and they’ll give you scoops of stuff you’ve never heard of.
The Left Wall Behind the Electronics Tables
Behind those big rows of TVs up front is a shelf that looks like it’s just holding random chargers & light strips—but don’t be fooled because it’s where you’ll find last-minute or unmarked deals on tech accessories. They have tiny price tags and the deals aren’t always advertised, so you have to look, but it’s worth it. For example, you could find open-box items with markdown stickers or discounted Bluetooth speakers that are better than the monthly deals.
The Floral Cooler
You wouldn’t expect Costco to be a place to get good flowers, but here we are—there’s usually a glass cooler near the front corner stocked with fresh bouquets for quite cheap. Items under $15 are usually sold out by noon on Saturdays, and special ones, like peonies, are often gone by then. The quality’s surprisingly good, and people even use them for weddings & centerpieces because they’re that cheap. Even though the store restocks them weekly, the good ones disappear fast.
The Kitchen Appliance End Caps
The surprise deals on kitchen goods usually appear on the end caps instead of the main aisle, and they rotate fast, so you could get a Ninja blender or a rice cooker at a killer price. If you see something there, you might as well grab it because tomorrow, it might be a toaster oven instead. It’s at these end caps that Costco clears out seasonal appliances, like air fryers in summer & slow cookers in fall, but without any big signs or promo banners.
The Men’s Socks and Undergarments Table
Some people skip over the clothing tables, yet they’re missing out because one table—usually in the center—is the one with name-brand socks & boxers at prices that beat clearance racks elsewhere. These include multi-packs from brands like Adidas and Calvin Klein, so if you’re restocking the basics, this is the spot you should go to first. Beyond just the brand, the quality of these items is good and the price-per-pair is hard to beat.
The International Pantry Items Aisle
Toward the back left, there’s usually an aisle loaded with imported pantry stuff, such as Japanese curry bricks & Italian pasta sauces, perhaps even some Korean gochujang. The selection changes all the time and the prices are way lower than boutique stores, meaning the stock disappears quite quickly. In some cases, special sauces only show up for a few weeks at a time and that’s why people who love to cook will swing by early.
The Bulk Spice Rack
Speaking of food, most people think the bulk spice rack seems like an afterthought as it’s stuck somewhere near the baking aisle or oils, although it’s so much better than that. It has huge containers of things like garlic powder & red pepper flakes for way less than tiny jars at regular stores. They also have Italian seasoning in massive containers that’ll last for months—great for families or anyone who’s cooking more than once a week.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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