It’s interesting that the Costco model doesn’t seem to work in the UK. Here the competition amongst the supermarkets is so intense that Costco can’t sell stuff cheap enough.
The UK Costco’s are a poor imitation of the ones I enjoyed in Canada. Even thought the layout and the idea are the same.
I assume it's just that you often can find stuff cheaper - if you happen to find a good half price/2-for-3/etc. deal on branded stuff at a supermarket then Costco will be more expensive. The quality of their own brand stuff is good, though, and the prices are reliably at least fair and usually better.
Their petrol station used to be reliably cheaper than everywhere else near me, but they changed supplier and now it's the same price as Tesco. So I go to Tesco, as it's 99 RON and I get clubcard points.
Aldi has a somewhat similar model in the UK, no subscription but it has a reduced range compared to traditional supermarkets, high quality goods and well paid staff.
That's pretty typical of Aldi worldwide, as they operate in the US in the same manner (US Aldi stores are Aldi Süd, Trader Joe's is Aldi Nord).
For me (single) Aldi is a better deal. Costco-sized packages of food are just too much when you aren't raising a family, and I can't justify the membership fee.
The UK Costco’s are a poor imitation of the ones I enjoyed in Canada. Even thought the layout and the idea are the same.
Not sure why tbh.