How Often Does Costco Restock?

Costco typically restocks its shelves on a daily basis, although the frequency can vary depending on the product and location. High-demand items, such as fresh produce, meats, dairy products, and bakery goods, are often restocked more frequently, sometimes multiple times a day, to ensure freshness and availability. For non-perishable items, restocking might occur less often, based on demand and store traffic. The restocking process usually happens overnight or early in the morning before the store opens to minimize disruption to customers. This allows Costco to maintain a well-stocked inventory throughout the day. However, popular or seasonal items might sell out quickly, and it can take a bit longer for these to be restocked, especially if they are limited-time offers. Additionally, supply chain factors and delivery schedules can impact restocking times. Shoppers are encouraged to visit early in the day or check with their local store for specific restocking information, especially if they are looking for high-demand or limited-availability products. Employees at individual Costco locations can often provide insights into when particular items are expected to be back on the shelves.
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When to shop at Costco for the best finds

Even if you're unsure when your favorite products will be back in stock, you can plan your visit for the least busy shopping days. This way, if you happen to find a restock, you'll be among the first to discover it. Data from Drive Research indicates that midweek days, specifically from Tuesday to Thursday, are the optimal times to shop at Costco to avoid crowds. For the best times of day, consider visiting right when the store opens, just before it closes, or between 3 and 4 p.m., as these periods typically experience lower foot traffic, allowing you to steer clear of the post-work and mid-morning rushes.

However, if sampling Costco's free offerings is a must for your shopping experience, you might want to disregard this advice. Unfortunately, the secret to enjoying Costco's free samples comes with larger crowds, as the most samples are available on Saturdays.

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