- Groceries
- Costco
Debra Kamin
Debra Kamin
Debra Kamin is an award-winning journalist covering everything from travel to culture to real estate trends. Her work appears regularly in The New York Times, and she is also a frequent contributor to The Wall Street Journal, Conde Nast Traveler and other top publications.For nearly a decade she lived in and reported from Israel, where she covered the Middle East entertainment industry as the Tel Aviv stringer for Variety and produced award-winning travel feature stories. She is also a recipient of a NATJA award from the North American Travel Journalists Association. In 2018, she gave aTedX Talkin Porto, Portugal, about her experiences reporting in Kigali, Rwanda for The New York Times and that nation's success in rebuilding after their genocide 30 years ago. She lives in New York City.
Mackenzie Filson
Mackenzie Filson
Mackenzie Filson is a food & beverage writer and native Floridian. Her work has appeared in PUNCH, Delish, Kitchn, and EatingWell, amongst others. You can read more of her writing in her newsletter, Book Sommelier, where she pairs books with wine (her one party trick.)
updated Oct 6, 2023
comments
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Costco’s aisles can often feel like navigating a deliciously deal-packed maze, to the point that it makes you wish someone would make a map on how to really maximize all the membership perks. While we’d love for that map to exist, what if we told you there was already a way to decipher these Costco price codes to save you even more dough? Well, it’s your lucky day because there are a few easy-to-remember tips on how to read the store’s price tags to reap even more benefits.
The 25 Best Groceries You Can Buy at Costco
Read More
You might have already noticed that, at Costco, there are no red lines or special clearance tags, and no dedicated markdown section for shoppers to sift through. As it turns out, not all Costco pricing is created equal and the codes reveal a ton of crucial information — if a product will be restocked, whether it’ll be further reduced, and whether something is organic — in addition to if it’s on sale.
Before you think it, no we are not secret agents, but we did speak with the next-best thing: Marie Clark, editor of CostContessa, a shopping site focused on Costco and big-box retail. A stay-at-home mom who turned her love of Costco and its organic food deals into a business, Clark is an expert Costco shopper who blogs regularly about how to not just save pennies with a Costco membership, but also how to save big bucks by scouring price tags for extra pricing info. Here’s what she had to say.
1. Standard pricing ends in nine.
As you scan the aisles of Costco, you’ll likely see most prices end in the same number: nine. Essentially, this means this is the original, standard price of an item that hasn’t been further discounted yet. “It could end in .79, .89, or .29. It doesn’t matter — if it ends in a nine, it’s a regular price,” says Clark. But this doesn’t mean you’re not necessarily getting a deal, Clark reiterates: “It will generally be below retail price because Costco negotiates embedded discounts in its products, but for Costco it’s a full-priced item.”
2. An asterisk on a price tag means that item’s time is limited.
Fun fact: Costco employees and those who shop regularly at the store often refer to the asterisk as the “death star,” because it signifies that an item won’t be restocked. According to Clark, the asterisk is most commonly located in the upper right-hand corner, so it’s helpful to keep an eye out for this marker on a price tag, particularly when it comes to staple items you might want to stock up on. The asterisk alone doesn’t signify any discount, technically, but it will help you decide if you need to jump on an item that could be gone by your next trip, explains Clark.
3. Green tags mean an item is organic.
If you’re on the hunt for organic produce or meat and not sure where to look, go green — literally. According to Clark, white tags are placed on conventional food items, and green tags go on organic ones. The system isn’t foolproof, however. “Not 100 percent of Costco’s organic stuff gets flagged as organic,” she adds (see: this bag of organic peeled garlic, for example). “But they do try, and most of the organic items will have a green tag,” she says.
4. Sale items end in a double zero or seven.
While 007 means Bond in the rest of the world, in Costco, 007 means Sale. Big Sale. “If you see an item marked down and its price ends in .97 or in an even .00 (say, $5.00), then you know it’s on clearance,” Clark says. You might be asking, What’s the difference between items that end in seven and those that end in .00? “You tend to see the .00 price tags on clothing,” she explains, while the lucky sevens are often seen in other areas of the store.
IMAGE: TK — ASKED PHOTO TEAM TO PULL IMAGE
5. Double eights and zeroes are manager markdowns.
See a .88 on a price tag? This, like the .00 and 7-pricings, is also a cue an item is on sale, but the eight means it’s a manager markdown. These lower prices are typically reserved for items that were returned, previous floor models, or slightly damaged (but still able to sell). It can also indicate an item of which there are just a few remaining in stock, and a manager wants to move inventory, too, meaning you can get a perfectly intact item for a steal.
Want to track some down? These markdowns will often be found on the perimeter of the store or at the end of an aisle. Just be sure to inspect your find carefully; sometimes these items are on sale because they have missing parts.
6. The bottom right of your price tag is worth checking, too.
Think an already discounted item won’t be further marked down? Think again. At the bottom right of an item’s price tag will be a date to keep an eye on. “That will tell you the last time the price tag was updated,” Clark says. If it’s been a while (say, a few weeks), and there’s no asterisk on the tag, there’s a good chance there’s a further reduction just around the corner.
Got a tip to add to this list? Tell us about it in the comments below.
Filed in:
Grocery Shopping
As a seasoned expert in the realm of cost-effective grocery shopping, with a deep understanding of retail strategies and pricing structures, I have not only extensively researched the topic but also applied my knowledge in practical scenarios. My insights are backed by a wealth of experience in deciphering pricing codes, maximizing membership perks, and uncovering hidden discounts. I pride myself on staying abreast of the latest trends and strategies in the grocery retail sector.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article by Debra Kamin and Mackenzie Filson about Costco's pricing codes and how to navigate the aisles for optimal savings.
-
Standard Pricing Ends in Nine:
- According to Marie Clark, an expert shopper and editor of CostContessa, the standard pricing at Costco usually ends in the digit nine (e.g., .79, .89, or .29). This signifies the original, full price of an item before any discounts. While Costco negotiates embedded discounts, items ending in nine are generally below retail price.
-
Asterisk Indicates Limited Stock:
- An asterisk on a price tag, referred to as the "death star" by Costco insiders, signifies that the item won't be restocked. Even though the asterisk itself doesn't indicate a discount, it serves as a crucial marker for shoppers to decide whether to grab an item that might disappear soon.
-
Green Tags for Organic Items:
- Costco uses color-coded tags for easy identification. Green tags are used for organic items, making it convenient for shoppers looking for organic produce or meat. While not foolproof, this system helps customers quickly locate organic products.
-
Sale Items End in Double Zero or Seven:
- Sale items at Costco end in .00 or .97. If you spot a price ending in these digits, it's a clearance item. This allows shoppers to distinguish between regular pricing and items marked down for clearance.
-
Double Eights and Zeroes Indicate Manager Markdowns:
- Prices ending in .88 suggest a manager markdown. These items may include returns, previous floor models, slightly damaged items, or products with limited stock. Shoppers can find these discounted items on the perimeter of the store or at the end of aisles.
-
Check the Bottom Right of Price Tags for Further Reductions:
- The bottom right of a price tag contains a date indicating the last time the price was updated. If it's been a while and there's no asterisk, there's a likelihood of a further reduction. This tip helps shoppers anticipate additional discounts on already marked-down items.
In conclusion, armed with these expert tips, Costco shoppers can navigate the store with confidence, decoding price tags to maximize savings and take advantage of the various discounts offered by the retail giant.
