15 Unexpected Facts About Costco (Including Where the Name Comes From)

It's no secret that Costco is a popular retailer, but the store is much more than just a warehouse full of bulk groceries and massive hot dogs. There are some things that even the most avid Costco fans would be surprised to learn.

From mind-blowing product prices to hidden Costco membership perks, here are 15 of the most interesting Costco facts that will make you see the retailer in a new light.

Before Costco became the retail giant it is today, the store was known as "Price Club," which opened in 1976. Later on, the two companies merged under the name "PriceCostco."

Then, the first Costco warehouse location was opened in 1983 as a separate venture. Thus, the Costco we know today was born, a shortened version of "Cost Company" to emphasize their unbeatable prices. Costco is known to be the place to shop if you are looking to lower your financial stress.

The smallest Costco in the world is located in Juneau, Alaska. A typical Costco location is 160,000 square feet. This warehouse is a fraction of the size at 76,696 square feet, according to Food Republic.

Due to its remote location, shipments arrive by boat, and the store carries specialized products suited to the Alaskan lifestyle.

On the other end of the spectrum, the largest Costco is in Salt Lake City, Utah. Spanning 235,000 square feet, this massive store offers everything from bulk groceries to industrial-sized appliances, according to Food Republic. If you've ever felt like your local Costco was big, just imagine trying to find your groceries in this massive warehouse.

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If you don't want to pay for a membership, you can still shop at Costco by using a Costco Shop Card gift card. Non-members can use these cards to make purchases in-store and online, allowing you access to Costco's low prices without an annual fee. All you need is a friend or family member with a current Costco membership to supply you with it.

If you're a cheese lover, you might be shocked to learn that Costco sells a full 80-pound wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano. This premium cheese, aged for 24 months, costs around $1099 and is imported straight from Italy.

The store's Kirkland Signature wines are sourced from top wineries and sold at a fraction of the price of comparable brands. Costco is also one of the largest wine retailers in the country, only recently surpassed by Total Wine & More.

Those delicious free samples aren't just a nice perk, but they're a calculated sales tactic. Studies have shown that shoppers are more likely to buy a product after trying a sample.

Costco's sample program has led to a major boost in sales for featured items. According to The Atlantic, the frozen pizza samples once helped boost sales by 600%.

For shoppers who truly wanted luxury, Costco once offered a private jet service through "Wheels Up." Members were able to book private flights at exclusive rates, proving that the warehouse giant caters to more than just budget-conscious shoppers.

Certain Costco locations offer exclusive shopping hours for business members. Costco Business Centers open earlier than a Costco warehouse to allow business owners to stock up on inventory without the usual crowds. 

However, these locations are open to any Costco member, so you can take advantage of the deals, too. These special business hours may vary by location. 

Despite inflation and rising costs, Costco has kept the price of its hot dog and soda combo at $1.50 since the 1980s, according to an NPR report. The company's co-founder even once joked that if anyone tried to raise the price, he would kill them.

Costco's legendary return policy allows members to return nearly anything with no questions asked.

Some exceptions apply, like electronics (which have a 90-day return window), but overall, their policy is one of the most generous in retail. They've even been known to accept returns on dead Christmas trees after the holidays.

Costco's Kirkland Signature is a $86 billion brand, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal. Many Kirkland products are made by major brands like Duracell, Starbucks, and even big-name whiskey distilleries. But at Costco, you can get them for a fraction of the price.

Costco's best-selling item is not their $1.50 hot dogs or their $5 rotisserie chickens, it's their Kirkland Signature toilet paper. Costco sells a billion rolls of toilet paper each year, according to a report from Environment America. 

If you're a fan of top-shelf liquor, you might be surprised to learn that Kirkland Signature spirits are rumored to come from the same distilleries as premium brands like Grey Goose.

Despite Costco's massive presence across the country, three states are still missing out on its warehouse. While the company operates over 600 locations in the U.S., West Virginia, Rhode Island, and Wyoming have yet to open one.

Another fun fact? In 2024, Costco had almost 137 million members, according to Statista. Everyone is trying to save money, whether that be through Costco's amazing deals or finding the best cash back credit cards to use while shopping.

And if you're looking to save money on essentials, consider buying Kirkland Signature products, which often come from the same manufacturers as name-brand items but at a fraction of the price.