The Costco Treasure Hunt: Your Guide to UK Offers Without a Weekly Flyer

Shopping at Costco is a different ball game. First-timers often walk in looking for a traditional weekly leaflet and come away confused. Where are the deals? The truth is, Costco plays by its own rules, and if you learn them, the savings can be massive. Let's decode the Costco way of doing offers.

The Coupon Book: Your Main Source of Intel

Forget a weekly flyer. Costco's main promotional tool is its **Coupon Book**, which comes out every few weeks. You can find it online at sites like Cataloguethisweek or get it in the post if you're a member. This is your primary guide to what's on offer.

The best part? You don't need to clip any coupons! The discounts listed in the book are applied automatically at the till. The coupon book is brilliant for planning bigger purchases. If you see that TVs, tyres, or your favourite brand of washing powder are on offer, you know it's a good time to head to the warehouse. The Costco UK offers listed are usually valid for a few weeks, giving you plenty of time to shop.

Cracking the Costco Price Code

The real secrets to Costco savings are hidden in plain sight: on the price tags themselves. Learning to read them is like having insider knowledge.

• Prices ending in .99: This is a standard, full-price Costco item.
• Prices ending in .97: This is the golden ticket! It means the item is on clearance in that specific warehouse. The price has been marked down by the manager to shift stock, and it's likely the lowest price you'll see.
• An asterisk (*) on the sign: This is crucial. An asterisk means the item is being discontinued and won't be reordered. If it's something you love, now is the time to stock up, even if it's full price, because it might not be there on your next visit.

A price ending in .97 with an asterisk? That's the ultimate Costco bargain. Grab it before it's gone forever!

Embrace the Kirkland Signature Brand

One of the easiest ways to save at Costco is to buy their own brand, Kirkland Signature. The quality is famously high – many products are made by the same companies as the big brands – but the price is significantly lower. From coffee beans and toilet roll to vodka and olive oil, switching to Kirkland is a no-brainer for instant savings.

Pro-Tip: Don't forget the gift card section! Costco sells multi-packs of gift cards for restaurants, cinemas, and attractions for around 20-25% less than their face value. It's an instant discount on a future day out or meal.

Shopping at Costco is an adventure. You go in for milk and come out with a kayak. But by understanding the coupon book, cracking the price codes, and trusting the Kirkland brand, you can make sure that adventure is also a very, very cost-effective one.