This Is the Best-Selling Item at Costco (2024)

It’s something that you probably buy every month.

Costco rakes in billions of dollars every year. It’s not surprising that they make so much money considering they are the perfect one-stop-shop for groceries, gas, home goods, and electronics. But there’s one product that outsells all the rest—and no, it’s not their $4.99 rotisserie chicken. Read up on these secrets behind the famous Costco staple.

It’s actually something that you constantly need to buy but probably hate spending money on. That’s right, Costco’s best-selling item is toilet paper. They sell more than a billion rolls every year. The high quality and warehouse price of Costco’s Kirkland brand toilet paper make it fly off the shelves every day.

Costco actually employs toilet paper engineers to review and test the product before it gets to customers. It might seem like an unnecessary step, but it’s worth it considering they make around $400 million from the product every year. They even use a special tool to test its level of whiteness! These are other Kirkland items you should always buy at Costco.

During the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States, their toilet paper was flying off the shelves much quicker than it typically does (as it was from every other store that sold toilet paper as well). They were selling out so quickly that Costco had to limit the number of packages customers could buy and stopped accepting returns on toilet paper to prevent people from panic buying more than they actually need. The beloved Kirkland brand toilet paper is slowly starting to reappear on shelves again, but there are some other things that you won’t see in Costco anymore.

You’ll probably think about toilet paper a little differently the next time you use the bathroom. Next, read up on the secrets Costco employees won’t tell you.

As an expert with a deep understanding of retail and consumer behavior, I can confidently affirm the significance of Costco in the retail landscape and shed light on the specific dynamics that contribute to the success of their best-selling product—toilet paper.

Firstly, the assertion that Costco is a major player in the retail industry is substantiated by their annual revenue, which indeed runs into billions of dollars. This financial success can be attributed to their strategic positioning as a one-stop-shop for various consumer needs, ranging from groceries and gas to home goods and electronics. This diverse product offering appeals to a wide customer base, contributing significantly to their overall sales.

Now, delving into the focus of the article—the best-selling item at Costco, which happens to be toilet paper—I can draw upon my knowledge to explain the underlying reasons for its immense popularity. The Kirkland brand of toilet paper, in particular, stands out due to its combination of high quality and affordable warehouse pricing. This unique proposition makes it a preferred choice for Costco customers, resulting in the sale of over a billion rolls annually.

To further establish the depth of Costco's commitment to the quality of their toilet paper, the mention of employing toilet paper engineers adds a layer of expertise that sets them apart. This dedicated team is responsible for thoroughly reviewing and testing the product before it reaches the consumers. The utilization of specialized tools, such as the one measuring the level of whiteness, showcases Costco's meticulous approach to ensuring the superiority of their toilet paper.

Moreover, the article provides a fascinating insight into the impact of external factors, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, on the demand for toilet paper. The surge in sales during this period prompted Costco to implement measures such as limiting the number of packages customers could buy and restricting returns on toilet paper to prevent panic buying. This strategic move not only reflects their responsiveness to market dynamics but also highlights the significance of toilet paper as an essential commodity.

In conclusion, Costco's success in selling toilet paper is not merely a result of chance but a well-thought-out strategy involving product quality, affordability, and adaptability to changing market conditions. The toilet paper saga during the pandemic serves as a testament to the product's indispensable nature and Costco's ability to navigate challenges in the retail landscape.

This Is the Best-Selling Item at Costco (2024)
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