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One lucky city is getting a massive Costco store. Read on to find out more.
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When you think of Costco, the word “supersized” tends to come to mind. Not only does Costco sell its products in bulk, but the stores themselves are downright enormous. If you’re someone who aims to take 10,000 steps a day, here’s a solution — spend a couple of hours roaming your local Costco and wait for your Fitbit to congratulate you on a job well done.
The average Costco warehouse takes up about 146,000 square feet on average, reports Eat This, Not That! Compare that to a regular supermarket with an average square footage of 38,000, and it’s easy to see how you might get lost in a maze of Costco aisles even if you’re a somewhat regular shopper.
But now, Costco is rolling out plans to open its largest warehouse club store yet. And it could be a true game-changer for members who live close enough to take advantage of it.
A massive store is coming to Fresco
Residents of Fresno, California might soon have something to celebrate. That’s because the city’s incoming Costco is slated to be the company’s biggest store yet, spanning 241,000 square feet and taking up 22.4 acres of land.
For context, at present, the largest Costco warehouse is located in Salt Lake City, Utah. That store takes up 235,000 square feet of space.
Bigger isn’t always better
Costco’s upcoming megastore could end up being a mixed bag for customers. On the one hand, the larger the store, the more items it can sell. That means customers get more selection and the opportunity to eke out potential savings on the items they buy.
On the other hand, there can be such a thing as too broad a selection. Customers might find themselves overwhelmed at the idea of having to navigate an even larger Costco store than they’re used to. And they may run into trouble with impulse buys if Costco’s largest warehouse tempts them with too many products to choose from.
Also, shopping at Costco can be a time-consuming process to begin with. So to introduce an even larger Costco store might leave some customers feeling frustrated.
All told, the idea of an even larger Costco store than usual is something to get excited about. But it’s important to acknowledge that some members may find it challenging to navigate that new Fresno location.
That said, the same strategy for the Fresno market can apply to Costco customers across the board. If you struggle to stay focused while shopping at Costco, make a list of the items you’re looking for ahead of time and pledge to stick to it. Even if you have to navigate some extra aisles to get to your cleaning supplies and bulk string cheese, if you commit to your list, you may be less likely to be tempted by the things you see along the way.
And if you really want to make a point to avoid impulse buys at Costco, bring cash only and leave your credit cards at home. Granted, you’ll need to do a good job of estimating the cost of the items you want. And you should probably bring an extra $20 or so beyond what you’ve budgeted for just in case.
But if you’re planning to buy $100 worth of Costco items and you arrive at the store with $120, in a worst-case scenario, you’re blowing $20 on a whim. Having a credit card at your disposal could result in a lot more damage.
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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.
