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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Alaina Demopoulos

‘It’s Disneyland for preppers’: why apocalypse-minded shoppers go to Costco

Two gloved hands push a shopping basket full of 'doomsday' supplies in front of a sign reading 'Costco Wholesale'
As a brand, Costco subtly leans into its reputation as a prepper paradise. Composite: Guardian Design

Last summer, Costco shoppers noticed something new on the big-box store’s shelves. For the low, low price of $62.99, preparedness-minded customers could snatch up what one food influencer called a “Costco apocalypse dinner kit”.

Think of the kit as a KFC-style bucket, but instead of fried chicken, it is stuffed with an emergency supply of 132 meals – including pouches of dehydrated macaroni and cheese, apple cinnamon cereal and chicken pot pie – promised to last up to 25 years in storage, or until the big one hits.

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