Why It's So Easy To Get Lost In Costco
We get it, Costco isn't for everyone. It's a huge store, and that can be intimidating to a new shopper. However, if you're considering a Costco membership and the confusing layout of the store is what's stopping you, let us reassure you of two things. One, you aren't the only one struggling to find your way through Costco in an efficient manner. Two, that Costco confusion is actually intentional.
Like all other stores, Costco has its own ways of "tricking" customers into making bigger purchases. For Costco in particular, a lot of these strategies revolve around prompting impulse buys with samples, rotating inventory to keep customers vigilant, and selling the idea that buying in bulk is always a "great deal" (via Reader's Digest).
With all this in mind, it shouldn't come as a surprise that Costco's wacky store setup is yet another ploy to get customers to spend more on each shopping trip. But how exactly does this work? Well, we're glad you asked.
Costco wants you to walk through the entire store
From a warehouse store's perspective, one of the best ways to trick shoppers into spending more money is through layout -– but not with a layout designed for maximum shopping efficiency. No, instead, Costco wants you to wander around looking for the items on your list.
In fact, according to Insider, this is exactly why Costco doesn't have aisle signs. Without helpful hints as to where an item is located, customers are left with no choice but to walk up and down every aisle looking for it. This in turn leads to shoppers picking up additional items because, hey, we've all been there, those cookies weren't on your list but they just look so tasty.
Furthermore, Costco also takes advantage of a strategy involving "destination items." As Mr. Checkout explains, these items are everyday products, purposely placed at the back of the store so shoppers have to walk past everything else. If you pass cookies on your way to the back of the store to grab milk, you might as well get some Oreos to go with the milk, right? Of course, this isn't the end of the world, but it is something to keep in mind the next time you shop at Costco.