Costco is one of the most respected names in the retail industry, and certainly one of the most beloved. Not only do its customers pay between $65 and $130 just for the privilege of shopping at the store, an incredible 92.7% of American and Canadian customers renewed their membership in Q3 2025.
There are many reasons behind this intense loyalty, but one of the most important is Costco’s reputation for having low prices. This is more than an illusion — Costco caps its markups at 14% for branded items and 15% for Kirkland Signature products. Yet, even with low prices, Costco shoppers know that it’s far too common to walk out of the store with overloaded carts and budget-busting receipts.
