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Love Costco? Read on to see why it pays to load up on Kirkland products.
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I’ve been shopping at Costco for years, but I have to admit that it took me a while to shift from buying name-brand products to products with the Kirkland name. If you’re not familiar with Kirkland, it’s Costco’s signature brand. Think of it as the generic version of whatever food item or household staple you’re charging on your credit card.
At first, you may be hesitant to buy Kirkland products. After all, why take a chance when you can buy products from brands that are more well-known? But actually, there’s lots to be gained by sticking to Kirkland. Here’s why the brand deserves your attention.
1. It’s commonly less expensive than brand names
Costco is known for its low prices — prices that make it easier to manage your spending and boost your savings account balance. But because it doesn’t have to pay to market its Kirkland brand products the way other companies do, it’s able to offer those products for less. The result? More savings for consumers.
2. It offers a wide range of products
Walk through your local Costco, and you’ll find the Kirkland name on everything from milk to baked goods to toilet paper. In fact, The Ascent found that Costco’s best-selling item is actually Kirkland Signature Bath Tissue, which apparently brings in more than $400 million in revenue for Costco each year.
Personally, I’m a big fan of buying from brands I trust. So the fact that I can get Kirkland muffins as well as tissues is a good thing in my book.
Also, Costco is known to stand behind all of the items it carries in its stores (as well as online), because it takes pride in its Kirkland brand. You can bet that if you ever have an issue with a product, you’ll be eligible for a hassle-free return. Incidentally, I’ve had to take back certain food items due to premature spoilage, but I don’t recall ever having to return a Kirkland product.
3. The quality stands for itself
Some people will tell you that they’ll never stray from a given brand because of the quality involved. I’m here to tell you that I’ve used or consumed many Kirkland products through the years, and not once have I felt like I walked away with an item that’s been sub-par in quality.
Of course, this is subjective. Some people might tell you that Kirkland toilet paper isn’t as lush or easily flushable as that of more heavily marketed brands. But take a bite of a Kirkland cake, muffin, or cookie, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find an issue with what you’re eating.
Also, here’s a lesser-known fact about Kirkland. Often, these products are actually produced by big-name companies, only they’re packaged exclusively for Costco. So while you may be hesitant to buy the generic version of something you love, you may not actually be doing so.
Should you stick to Kirkland products when you shop at Costco?
There may be some items on your shopping list that don’t have a Kirkland version. But otherwise, it definitely pays to load up on Kirkland products in the course of your Costco shopping. Doing so might really give you the best of both worlds — an opportunity to save money on groceries and household essentials without feeling as if you’re compromising on quality in the slightest.
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We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Maurie Backman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
