Walmart Vs Costco In 2022 (Prices, Products, Services + More)
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|
|
|
Formerly |
|
---|---|
Type |
Public |
ISIN |
US9311421039 |
Industry |
Retail |
Founded |
|
Founder |
Sam Walton |
Headquarters |
,
U.S.
|
Number of locations
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10,593 stores worldwide (January 31, 2022) [2] [3] |
Area served
|
Worldwide |
Key people
|
|
Products |
Supermarket , Hypermarket , Superstore , Convenience shop |
Services | |
Revenue |
US$ 559.2 billion (2020) [4] |
US$22.55 billion (2020) [4] |
|
US$13.70 billion (2020) [4] |
|
Total assets |
US$252.5 billion (2020) [4] |
Total equity |
US$87.53 billion (2020) [4] |
Owner |
Walton family (50.85%) [5] |
Number of employees
|
2,300,000 (Jan. 2021) [4] U.S.: 1,600,000 |
Divisions |
|
Subsidiaries |
List of subsidiaries |
Website |
walmart.com |
Footnotes / references [6] [7] [8] |
It has been an era of greater competition in retail. This is resulting in customers enjoying lower prices, as well as more selection.
However, it is difficult to determine where to shop for the perfect products and services.
If you have the option to shop at both Walmart and Costco, you might be torn on which store has what you need.
This Walmart Vs Costco Comparison includes information about the company, products and prices, as well as customer service and thoughts.
Walmart is well-known for its 11,000 locations in 27 countries.
It was established by Sam Walton and is still located in Arkansas.
Walmart has been listed publicly in 1997. They now operate warehouses named Sam’s Club. Walmart also plans on entering the financial sector.
Costco Wholesale Corporation, or just Costco, was founded in 1976, though it was called Price Club until 1983.
Multinational company owns 800+ retail outlets across 13 countries. However, the company still calls Issaquah Washington State home.
Costco’s warehouse-style discount pricing model allows them to compete directly with Walmart’s Sam’s Club stores and BJ’s Warehouse.
Costco has the net worth of approximately $80 Billion, making it one the biggest retailers in the U.S.
First off, the biggest difference between Walmart and Costco stores is who can enter.
Costco membership is $60 or $120 for Gold Star Executive plans.
Walmart doesn’t have membership fees. Everyone can go in and start shopping.
You will feel at home once you walk into a Costco or Walmart.
Both stores have jaw-dropping amounts of space – Walmart has 179,000 sq. feet and Costco, 140,000.
The extra space means extra wide aisles which can accommodate a variety of items. Ceilings feel impossibly high.
However, from here, the layouts diverge greatly.
Walmart stores are a mix of two or three layouts. I know that Supercenters has grocery, and all other items reside on the opposite sides.
Costco’s vertical spaces are maximized by stacking stock high up, however their layout has been analyzed by retail professionals.
Costco and designers have worked together to create an atmosphere of calm that helps customers navigate their way through the store.
These gentle herding techniques, which lead shoppers by strategically placing products, encourage them to spend as much as possible.
Costco stores, as I said, follow a warehouse-model – products are purchased bulk at discounted prices.
As big as Costco is, you might be surprised to know that the stores typically carry only about 4,000 products.
Walmart sells products individually, although some items are available in bulk packaging. Walmart may sell up to 142,000 different items at a single store.
So for those reasons, choosing which store to visit if you only want to make one trip is a matter of analysis.
Is your family large or do you just need to have more? Costco has it all. Are you a fan of fewer brands or prefer more variety? Walmart is the best option.
Below are the very similar departments both stores contain within.
Departments:
Walmart has a crafting department that can still offer fabric bolts at a few stores.
Costco has a range of pre-made gift hampers available in their florist department.
Walmart offers more prepared foods, such as fried chicken or sides. These can all be delivered to your home for delivery.
Costco offers a food court that serves hot dogs, pizzas as well as smoothies and ice cream at low prices.
Without private brands or labels, it is impossible to have a big retailer without a few exclusive brands.
This is part and parcel of the business model that helps keep prices down.
Here are some of Walmart’s most popular and recognizable store brands:
Kirkland is Costco’s most prominent private label company.
Kirkland’s name is actually a tribute to the Washington city where the first store was.
The price of goods is an important motivating factor, especially for those who need to keep their kitchen and pantry stocked.
Walmart Vs Costco In 2022 (Prices, Products, Services + More)