18 Costco tips – is it worth it?

We also put Costco to the test, pitting it against the supermarkets and spot-checking prices for both your Christmas shop and everyday groceries.

How Costco works

• It's all about buying in bulk. Most items come in large sizes. The idea is it's cheaper, but not everything is – see our research below.

• You need to pay for membership. It's usually £42/year, so before you join, do the maths and work out if you're likely to save more than this initial outlay.

• Only certain groups of people are eligible. It's usually related to your line of work. We've a full list below.
  

18 ways to max your Costco trip

Now without further ado, here are our tips to max your trip to the warehouse.

1. If your name's not down, you're not coming in – how to join

   

   You can't just walk in and shop, you need to buy membership. In fact, membership fees are one of the main ways Costco makes money – it nets billions a year from these.

   Membership is £42/year (trade membership is £30 if you can prove you run a business). This includes a card for a spouse/partner.

   You can sign up online or in-store, though if you sign up online, you'll still need to pop over to the membership counter with the relevant ID.

   The list of qualifying sectors might be broader than you think. You can get in if you:

   • Own your own business. You need to provide evidence, such as a VAT registration certificate, business bank card or taxi driver licence. See a list of proof accepted.

   • Have an occupation on its list. These include local government, banking, medicine, education or the police. See a full list.

   • Are qualified in certain professions. For example, accountancy, dentistry, architecture or law. See a full list.

   • Your employer has signed up. Some firms set up access for workers. You can search for your employer on Costco or ask your HR department.

   

   Anyone can sign up for an online-only membership, however we found online prices were less competitive than in store. There's more on online membership below.
   
   You used to be able to join selected stores if you were an AA, RAC or National Trust member. Sadly, when we called warehouses recently to confirm this, they told us it's no longer an option.

2. We can't shout this loud enough... take a list

   

   We always say take a shopping list, but at Costco, this really is the number one rule – or you'll pop in for bog roll and come out with a canoe, a 6ft teddy bear and a crate of 30 Danish pastries. The stores don't tend to have signage, so you need the willpower of Lionel Messi not to get sidetracked.

   Before you flash that membership card at the till, remember Martin's money mantras, as it's hard not to impulse buy:

   The problem is that you can never buy just what you go in for. I went in for a cooked chicken at £4.78 and spent over £200! I love it and the individual apple crumbles are delicious.

   Phil via Facebook

   My husband calls it "Costco 200", as we always spend around £200 when we go, but we don't go too often.

   Becky via Facebook

3. Always compare prices elsewhere

   Don't get sucked into the hype. Just because something graces Costco's shelves, it doesn't automatically make it a good deal. Always do your own research first and check if you can get it cheaper elsewhere.

   Before heading to the warehouse, it's worth downloading the Trolley app to compare groceries on the go. Plus see our Cheap online shopping guide for everything else.

   As Costco's sizes aren't standard, compare the cost per unit – some MoneySavers even take a calculator.

4. This won't beat own-brands or Aldi and Lidl – so take the downshift challenge

   

   While our research found Costco's price was competitive on brands, it usually won't beat supermarket own-brands or Aldi and Lidl. And who says upmarket brands are best? The supermarkets flogging them, of course.
   
   So don't believe the hype. The downshift challenge is to TRY dropping one brand level on everything you buy. Then see if you can tell the difference. See Supermarket shopping tips for more.

   As an example, when we checked, we found Crosta & Mollica salami pizzas at two for £7.49 at Costco (the next cheapest we found for the same brand was £8.60). However, two Tesco own-brand pepperoni pizzas came to just £3.20.
   
   Nutella was £17.99 for 3kg, whereas Morrisons' hazelnut chocolate spread worked out at £11.10 for the same amount. Lurpak spreadable butter was £7.49 for 1kg at Costco, but Aldi's Nordpak spreadable butter was £4.36 for the same.

   That said, if you're a die-hard brand fan and are buying them anyway, there can be some cracking deals.

5. Costco vs the supermarkets – which wins for brands?

   

   Does supersizing your shopping really save? We wanted to put this to the test, pitting Costco against the supermarkets. To get an idea, in October 2025 we spot-checked prices for 30 items, from chutney to cheese and beer to butter.

   Our analysis showed Costco had some good deals, with branded items often cheaper than rival stores, though it's always worth doing your own comparison before you buy. On a random selection of 30 items across various departments, all but one were cheapest at Costco's warehouse. (Costco's products are often non-standard sizes, so in some cases we worked out the equivalent price for next cheapest, using the cost per unit.)

   As examples of the discounts available...

   • Filippo Berio Olive Oil (5l) cost £29.99 at Costco, but £44.17 for the equivalent amount at the next cheapest supermarket.

   • Lavazza Oro ground coffee (1kg) was £12.99 at Costco, but the next cheapest was £20.

   • Geeta's mango chutney (1.5kg) was £3.79 at Costco – the next cheapest was £10.30.

   • Nielsen Massey vanilla extract (473ml) was £12.99 at Costco – the next cheapest was £36.08.

   Plus, to get the next best prices you'd also have to work your way around several different supermarkets.

   Though of course, most of these are bulk sizes, so you will need space to store, plus you'll need to factor in the £42 membership fee.

   Costco vs the supermarkets – which wins?

   ITEM	COSTCO PRICE	CHEAPEST WE FOUND ELSEWHERE
   Actimel yogurt drink (24)	£5.49	£6.50
   Ajinomoto frozen chicken gyoza (1.4kg)	£7.99	£21
   Bonne Maman raspberry jam (750g)	£4.69	£5.48 (2)
   Coke Zero (30 x 330ml)	£9.58	£9.38
   Crosta & Mollica salami pizza (2)	£7.49	£8.60
   Cushelle quilted toilet paper (32 rolls)	£15.58	£26.56
   Filippo Berio Olive Oil (5l)	£29.99	£44.17
   Flash bleach spray (3 x 800ml)	£5.98	£7.02
   Geeta's mango chutney (1.5kg)	£3.79	£10.30
   Gosh falafel (700g)	£4.99	£7.14
   Green Giant sweetcorn (12 x 340g)	£10.49	£12.40
   Gu zillionaire cheesecakes (6)	£6.99	£7.50
   Hellmann's mayonnaise squeezy (1.5l)	£5.49	£6.30
   Kleenex XL tissues (6 boxes)	£5.98	£11.22
   La Chinata smoked paprika (350g)	£5.99	£10 (2)
   Lavazza Oro ground coffee (1kg)	£12.99	£20
   Lurpak spreadable butter (1kg)	£7.49	£7.67 (2)
   Maldon sea salt flakes (570g)	£4.29	£5.90
   Moretti beer (12 x 330ml bottles)	£10.79	£11.96
   Nature Valley oat bars (40)	£11.38	£14
   Nielsen Massey vanilla extract (473ml)	£12.99	£36.08
   Nutella chocolate spread (3kg)	£17.99	£20.76
   Parmareggio 30 mth cheese 1kg	£16.99	£45.30
   Persil non bio capsules (116)	£16.18	£19.72
   Posca paint markers (12)	£17.98	£21.99
   Tampax Pearl Compak tampons (96)	£11.99	£14.40
   Tate & Lyle caster sugar (5kg)	£5.99	£10.65
   Tilda basmati rice (12kg)	£21.49	£28.80
   Twinings breakfast tea bags (300)	£7.99	£11.10
   Whispering Angel rose wine (75cl)	£16.78	£21.50

   Based on a random sample of 30 items in October 2025 (prices include VAT). (1) Test looked at the cheapest items elsewhere using Trolley.co.uk and Google Shopping. Costco's products are often non-standard sizes, so in some cases we worked out the equivalent price for the next cheapest, using cost per unit. (2) To get this price, you needed a Sainsbury's Nectar card or Tesco Clubcard.
   

6. Is Costco worth it for your Christmas shopping?

   

   Is Costco a winner for your Christmas dinner? In November 2025 we headed to a warehouse to spot-check prices for festive faves, comparing 15 items against the next cheapest, from champagne to smoked salmon. We also added a few presents such as toys and perfume.

   And Costco won for 14 out of 15 products. As an example of the discounts available, a Lindt teddy 3D advent calendar was £17.98 at Costco. The cheapest elsewhere was £25. Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Champagne (75cl) was £40.78 – the next cheapest was £49.

   

   We also found big savings to be had on large toys when Costco runs special warehouse deals.
   
   Some caveats – you do need to pay a £42 membership fee to grab these prices. Of course, bear in mind items can come in jumbo sizes, so consider how much you can actually chomp through. These are warehouse prices – we found items are usually pricier on Costco's website.

   And finally, while Costco is often strong on big-name brands, you can usually save even more by downshifting to supermarket own-brands.

   For example, John Ross smoked salmon (454g) was £7.99 at Costco, but the equivalent amount of Aldi's salmon worked out at £6.74. And while Costco’s Tom Smith crackers with silver-plated favours (8) were £29.98, Dunelm sells a pack of eight for £6 (though without the silver-plated extras).

   Here are the full results of our Christmas spot check:

   Costco vs the supermarkets for festive faves – which wins?

   ITEM	COSTCO PRICE	CHEAPEST WE FOUND ELSEWHERE (1)
   Albert Bartlett Rooster potatoes (5kg)	£4.99	£5.58
   Bearfields Gammon joint (3.4kg)	£21.32	£15.81 (2)
   Carrera GO! Mario Kart car race set	£35.98	£69.99
   Chiostro di Saronno panettone (1kg)	£8.99	£11.99
   Courvoisier Cognac VS (1L)	£31.18	£37.14
   FAO Schwarz Piano Dance Mat	£35.99	£57.40
   Hallmark Christmas cards (40)	£11.98	£13
   Hallmark gift bags (20)	£11.98	£19.95
   John Ross smoked salmon (300g)	£7.99	£14.91
   Lego Icons Transformers Soundwave	£131.98	£149.99
   Long Clawson Stilton (454g)	£4.99	£8.80
   Lindt teddy 3D advent calendar	£17.98	£25
   Paco Rabanne Lady Million gift set	£57.58	£62.50
   Tom Smith crackers with silver plated favours (8)	£29.98	£39.99
   Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Champagne (75cl)	£40.78	£49

   Based on a random sample of 15 items in November 2025 (prices include VAT). (1) Test looked at the cheapest items elsewhere using Trolley.co.uk and Google Shopping. Costco's products are often non-standard sizes, so in some cases we worked out the equivalent price for the next cheapest, using cost per unit. (2) We could not find this sold elsewhere, so compared it to Tesco's gammon joint.

   
   

7. Petrol savings can pay for the membership fee – though expect queues

   

   One of the boons of membership is access to cheap fuel and this is one of the things MoneySavers rave about. The downside is the queues are often longer than Heathrow on an August bank holiday.

   Go to PetrolPrices.com, enter your postcode and tell it how far you're willing to travel (five, 10 or 25 miles). It'll list that day's cheapest petrol stations in your area, covering about 8,300 forecourts across the UK. (For more tricks to cut fuel costs and drive more efficiently, see Cheap petrol.)

   A quick check showed Costo could save you some decent cash. For an Essex postcode, the price of unleaded within a five-mile radius ranged from the cheapest, Costco at 131.9p/litre, to a pricey 159.9p/litre. (Prices include VAT.)

   For someone driving 15,000 miles a year, averaging 35 miles per gallon (12.4km per litre), just filling a tank at the average UK price would cost £2,641 annually. When we checked, buying at Costco would cost £2,570, saving £71 a year.

   Of course, you'll pay a £42 membership fee to nab those prices. Plus factor in how far away your nearest Costco petrol station is (not every store has one). But if you clock up a lot of miles and live nearby, you could save big, as MoneySavers Andrew and Brett found:

   Costco is worth it for the fuel alone. Probably saved me four times the cost of membership so far this year.

   Andrew via Facebook

   I try and fill up with fuel there as much as possible. Sometimes I save up to £10 a tank, definitely paid for the membership.

   Brett via Facebook

8. Time it right to dodge petrol queues

   Unsurprisingly, Costco's petrol stations are quieter before the warehouse itself opens. Check out your nearest on Google Maps and you should see a nifty bar chart showing the quietest times to visit. As an example, Costco's Liverpool petrol station is less popular before 9am and after 6pm, with weekends peak times at the pump.

9. Go easy on the perishables

   

   Can you really eat 2kg of soured cream in two weeks? OK, don't answer that. But a bargain's not a bargain if it goes off before you can eat it, so don't buy lorry-loads of perishables.

   Think store cupboard – so prioritise oats, tin foil, cat litter and frozen prawns over, say, pastries, berries and fresh meat.

10. Always factor in 20% VAT

    Costco's headline prices famously don't include VAT, which it whacks on at the till (currently 20%, though most food is exempt). As you tot up your bill, do factor this in. The true price is usually in smaller writing at the bottom of the sign.

11. Grab a hot dog and soft drink for £1.50

    

    In what's probably a loss-leader to tempt you in, Costco's food court sells a hot dog with a soft drink for £1.50. You can also grab pizza slices for £1.99 and jacket potatoes for £2.99 - fillings include chilli, tuna and beans. If you've little ones, this makes for great cheap lunch in the school hols.

    Sodas come with refills (£1.19), so a pro tip is to grab a soft drink before you hit the aisles. That way you can fit in an extra refill after you've paid.

    I go to Costco just for the day out and a hot dog.
    
    Rachy via Facebook

12. Grab a weekly specials leaflet

    When you arrive, head to the membership desk to pick up a leaflet with that week's offers, as it can highlight bargains. For example, we've seen a Dyson V11 Extra stick vacuum for £299.98, including VAT. The next cheapest we found for that model was £349. As always, compare prices elsewhere – see Cheap online shopping for more.

13. Anyone can sign up for online-only membership

    

    Don't qualify for standard membership? It won't get you access to the warehouse, but anyone can sign up to Costco's online-only membership. It used to be £15 but sadly Costco hiked the price to £42 – the same as warehouse membership. When checked, we found prices were usually a touch more expensive online than in store – unless there's a special deal on.

    This could potentially be worth it if there was a huge one-off bargain. However, most of the best deals seem to be only available in warehouses and, of course, bargains abound on other sites that don't charge joining fees.

14. £15 off £150 for Mastercard holders via code (valid 1 Dec only)

    Costco is running a one-day offer giving £15 off when you spend £150+ online, but only if you pay by Mastercard. To get it, enter the code MASTERCARD15 at checkout. It's only valid on Monday 1 December for the first 2,000 people. See full terms.

15. Get a refund if your product's cheaper within 30 days

    

    Buy something at Costco, and if the price drops within 30 days, you can get a credit note for the difference. (It only matches Costco prices, not other stores'.)

    Now normally we're not huge fans of price promises. In reality, they allow stores to charge what they like, knowing that they just have to reduce the price for the few shoppers who bother to check prices after making a purchase.

    However, if you do happen to spot your new 50-inch telly £300 cheaper a few weeks later, this is worth knowing. You need to fill in a price adjustment request form.

16. Is it worth paying extra for Executive membership?

    Costco's 'Executive membership' costs £84 a year (instead of the standard £42). With this, you get 2% of what you spend at Costco back as credit to use there (capped at £500/year). Generally, Executive membership only wins if you spend more than £2,100 a year. Some MoneySavers are fans though, like Sue:

    Upgrading to executive membership is definitely worth it for me. Obviously it costs more, but you get 2% back on all purchases (excluding fuel), and so far my cashback has been for more than annual membership, making membership free.

    Sue via Facebook

17. Have a samples lunch

    Whether nuggets or noodles, sausages or sandwiches, it's always worth checking out the free sample stands. We've heard freebies are more plentiful at the weekend.

    We go for 'Costco samples lunch'. If you hover around at the right time, you can fill you boots with hot chicken, ham, cheese and drinks.

    Rachel via Facebook

18. What's hot and what's not at Costco – according to MoneySavers

    Taste is subjective and we're money writers, not Mary Berry, so we are handing over to MoneySavers to tell you which Costco products they rate...

    If you live near one it's worth it just for the birthday cakes – and I make cakes! £13 for a massive sheet cake that's personalised. We don't save masses but enjoy the experience.
    
    Kimberley via Facebook

    The meat is especially of good quality, we like to bulk buy it, portion it out and freeze it, and over time it works out cheaper for us than going to the supermarkets. Obviously depends on your personal circumstances. For us, it's honestly been a godsend.

    Forumite Jlawson118

    Toilet roll is a good price, raw chicken breast is great quality and cheap, frozen breaded chicken is good when on offer, sometimes cans of Pepsi are better than supermarkets. You need to check what is currently on offer at Tesco/Asda. Of course, fuel is almost always a great price at Costco.

    Forumite jon81uk

    Cheese, Lurpak and kitchen and toilet rolls are always on our Costco list. Their meat is always great quality too, we portion it and freeze it.

    Kirstin via Facebook

    Petrol's cheaper, tyres are cheaper, meat is fantastic quality, TVs great price and five-year warranty, clothes and shoes good value, coffee great price, cakes (especially celebration) so good and cheap.

    Forumite martr

    And some weren't so keen ...

    Compared to Waitrose I'm sure Costco wins. I can buy almost everything cheaper at Aldi than Costco. In everything I compared carefully, Aldi cost the same or less. Had a membership. Didn't renew.

    Russell via Facebook