These are the absolute best times to shop at Costco

Walking into a popular grocery store at a busy time of day can almost be like going into battle. A July 2022 Gallup poll found that 97% of American adults say they shop in person at least once a month, including 82% who do so at least once a week. If shoppers go to the grocery store at a time when traffic is particularly high, usually on weekends and weeknights when people stop by the stores after work, they may face curated grocery selections, crowded aisles, shopping carts. , and long lines at checkout.

No chain, especially one as beloved as Costco, can escape particularly busy retail periods. But customers may be able to avoid some of the heaviest traffic if they’re selective when heading to the popular warehouse club.

Costco fans recently took to Reddit to discuss some of the best times to shop at Costco. According to Reddit user u/Cheesetorian, the “best time” to shop at Costco is during the Super Bowl.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

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Nearly 193 million American adults planned to watch Super Bowl LVII, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF) Super Bowl 2023 survey and Prosper Insights & Analytics. So while grocery stores across the United States may have seen higher-than-usual traffic ahead of the big game, the estimated 193 million who planned to watch would theoretically have left stores before or around the time the Super Bowl started on Sunday. evening. In turn, that would leave it more empty for others who weren’t at football watch parties or bars.

Like u/Cheesetorian, several Reddit users have attested that big game is the perfect time to shop. However, this may not be the case for every Super Bowl Sunday or every Costco location, and others on Reddit have noted that Costco warehouses in later time zones close around the time the game begins each year.

While the Super Bowl and its main shopping opportunity have now passed until 2024, it’s not the only chance for customers to have a more laid-back Costco visit. Reddit user u/HuaMana said Valentine’s Day night, when many are busy with romantic dates and outings, is best for a trip to the warehouse club.

“I know this from experience,” they added.

Several users suggested going to Costco on Halloween night, when tricks and parties often take priority over grocery shopping. And luckily for Costco members, favorable shopping hours can be found on typical weekdays rather than the holidays that happen once a year, according to customers. Reddit user u/zinky30 wrote that late weekday mornings are ideal for a Costco trip, while others specifically pointed to Tuesday mornings.

“Tuesday at 10am. No buyers, no samples, no sellers…it’s easy,” u/Fearless747 wrote.

For those who don’t have a Costco membership or prefer other chains, Google Maps released data in 2020 that can help identify the best and worst times to visit grocery stores in general. The busiest time for groceries is between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturdays, while the least busy time is 8 a.m. on Mondays.

Zoe Strozewski