The Major Differences Between Costco, BJ’s, and Sam’s Club

Big-box warehouses seem to have it all. After all, where else can you buy a couch and 48 frozen chicken breasts? That’s why they’re so beloved — they have everything and the prices often can’t be beat. There are many similarities between the three biggest retail clubs in the U.S. — Costco, BJ’s, and Sam’s Club — mainly the fact that items are purchased in bulk, especially groceries, which might not be the right choice for solo shoppers, but for large families, this can be a lifesaver. Aside from low-cost groceries, they also offer gasoline, tire centers, electronics, appliances, grocery delivery, pharmacies, and more. 

All of these stores offer significant savings, so deciding which to choose is challenging when the options seem so similar. Here are the major differences between this warehouse trio.

Membership Costs

Costco, BJ’s, and Sam’s Club charge a yearly membership fee with two tiers: basic and premium. While all members benefit from low-priced goods, premium members at all three stores get extra perks. All three brands offer their premium members 2% back on purchases, and BJ’s also gives them 5 cents off per gallon of gas.

Costco costs $65/year for Gold Star level or $120/year for Executive. BJ’s is a tad cheaper at $60/year for the Club Card or $120/year for the Club Card+. Sam’s Club is the most affordable membership, running you $50/year for Club and $110/year for Plus.

In-House Brands

All three warehouses have their own brands, which offer customers even greater savings. Most of these items are groceries, but some brands feature other categories, from clothing to patio furniture. Costco offers Kirkland Signature, BJ’s has Wellsley Farms and Berkley Jensen, and Sam’s Club’s in-house line is Member’s Mark.

Kirkland Signature focuses on groceries, including various organic products and household cleaning products, and clothing. Customers can find discounted groceries (including meat, produce, pantry, bakery, and more) under BJ’s Wellsley Farms brand, as well as cleaners, personal care, and office supplies under the Berkley Jensen brand. Sam’s Club’s Member’s Mark offers a little bit of everything, including groceries, office and technology, patio furniture, pet supplies, clothing, and more.

Number of Locations

Residents of all 50 states have access to at least one of these warehouses. Costco has 611 locations in 47 states and Washington D.C., making it accessible for most Americans — even Alaskans. Wyoming, Rhode Island, and West Virginia are the three states without a Costco warehouse. BJ’s has fewer locations than Costco, and they’re all located in the eastern U.S., as far west as Tennessee and Indiana, and north to south from Maine to Florida. It’s also the only one of the three brands with locations in Rhode Island. Sam’s Club has 600 locations around the U.S., in every state except Alaska, Oregon, Vermont, Massachusetts, Washington, and Rhode Island.

Variety of Products

SKU, “stock-keeping unit,” represents one item a retailer carries. All three warehouses carry thousands of SKUs for customers to choose from. (Sam’s Club doesn’t currently share its SKU count, but financial experts have estimated the number.)

Costco carries far fewer SKUs than BJ’s or Sam’s Club, which isn’t necessarily bad. If you aren’t picky with brand names, this won’t matter (and you’ll likely save even more money), but if you like to stick to your usual brand-name items, you might have a better chance of finding them at BJ’s or Sam’s Club.

Coupons

BJ’s is the only one of these three retailers that accepts external coupons. The website explains, “BJ’s accepts all manufacturers’ coupons — including the ones that come in your Sunday newspaper — giving you additional savings on top of our everyday low prices.” However, all three retailers issue members-only coupons throughout the year.

Curbside Pickup

As Costco explains, curbside pickup “adds an additional expense to our low-cost business model and limited markup structure.” For this reason, not all locations offer this service; if they do, there is likely a fee. Costco locations in New Mexico, for example, charge an extra $10 for this service. At BJ’s, curbside pickup is always free for members, and although it’s also free for Sam’s Club Plus members, regular Sam’s Club members must pay a curbside pickup fee of $4 for every order.

Credit Cards Accepted

While BJ’s and Sam’s Club accept all major credit cards, things are slightly different at Costco. If you’re paying in-store at Costco, you must pay with a Visa if you’re using a credit card, as the chain has an exclusive agreement with the credit card company. There is a hack for this: Pay on Costco’s website or the app to use your Discover or Mastercard and pick up your order in-store. American Express credit cards still cannot be used online at Costco. BJ’s and Sam’s Club both accept most major credit cards.

Food Courts

Costco and Sam’s Club feature classic food court menus with hot dogs, soda, pizza, ice cream, pretzels, smoothies, and more — but you need a membership here. The most famous item among the options is Costco’s hot dog combo, which has remained at just $1.50 despite inflation. In 2016, BJ’s discontinued its food courts and partnered with Dunkin’ (formerly Dunkin’ Donuts), so your options for shopping and dining at BJ’s locations are limited.

Feature Image Credit: Mira/ Alamy Stock Photo