- Costco is known for its “treasure hunt” shopping experience.
- This means that goods are moved through the warehouse each day before the store opens.
- Some say this is a product strategy, while others say it's what makes going to Costco “fun.”
When you visit Costco, one thing is for sure: you never know what you'll find and where.
This is known as the Costco “treasure hunt.” The design layout of every warehouse is constantly changing as employees move merchandise and replace items for sale.
For some, Costco's treasure hunt is an infuriating product that ensures shoppers spend more time in the store, browsing items they would not have considered purchasing if the layout was simpler. Some people think that it is a strategy of transformation.
But David and Susan Schwartz, Costco fans and authors of “Costco Fun: A Treasure Hunt from A to Z,'' say that's a complete misconception.
Before publishing their book in September, David and Susan spent seven years visiting more than 200 Costco stores around the world to learn more about Costco stores. During that time, they were able to go behind the scenes of several locations to better understand how the company functions on a day-to-day basis.
“The most exciting part was Sterling, Virginia, where they let me go and see it until it was ready for Showtime,” Susan told Business Insider. “Showtime Ready” is a term used to describe Costco employees preparing and organizing warehouses before the store opens.
At 4:30 a.m., the couple watched as Costco employees used forklifts to clear the maze of aisles. The couple say this is not done to confuse or deceive shoppers, but to constantly entertain members with new and exciting shopping experiences.
“They want to make sure you're always intrigued when you come to the warehouse,” Susan said.
“People say, very unpleasantly, that it's to trick you into buying things, but that's not the case. It's just to keep it interesting and fun,” she added.
“It seems like a coincidence, but it's not. They're very deliberate about it,” David said.
The couple's opinion is supported by Costco employees, who previously told BI's Ene Cain that the company would never intentionally hide products to deceive customers.
“We can't afford to play this kind of game,” said one employee.
