The Small Business Times

When Does Costco Restock?

If you’re planning a quick Costco shopping run, knowing when Costco restocks can help you make the most of your shopping trip. 

Not all Costco locations follow the same restocking schedule. Depending on different factors, each Costco store has a different restocking schedule. However, according to specific Costco locations, Costco typically restocks during the night shift or early morning between 4:00 a.m. until the store reopens. During busy periods, such as holidays, Costco restocks its shelves throughout the day.

Costco is renowned for being one of the most prominent retailers in the US. Everything from fresh produce to household goods can be found at Costco.

If you’re looking for a specific item on your list, make sure you go to the store at the right time. Because going at the wrong time may cause you frantically run to different stores to check everything off your list. To avoid this issue, you should ensure that you understand exactly when Costco restocks.

This article will look at when Costco restocks and when is the best time to go shopping at Costco. Finally, we’ll give you suggestions on checking if the item you want is in stock. 

What Time Does Costco Restock?

Costco typically replenishes its stock overnight and at approximately 4:00 am Although Costco restocks daily, some Costco locations cannot guarantee that seasonal and in-demand items will be in stock. To avoid not finding the product you want in stock, call your local Costco to inquire about its availability.

When the store reopens, the best time to go shopping is as soon as possible. Because they restock most of the inventory, you will find all the items on your list this way. It is important to note that arriving early does not mean that the product you want will be available.

Some items with an asterisk label next to the price tag’s barcode are not restocked. Non-essential items, such as electronics, books, and clothing, are not restocked daily.

Therefore, you probably won’t see these items on the shelf for a while if they’re out of stock. If you find the item on your next Costco shopping expedition, it may be a good idea to grab it while you can. Before you stock up, double-check Costco’s purchasing limits.

How Often Does Costco Restock?

As soon as the trucks arrive, the inventory is restocked continuously. The online stock is updated when a product is added to the system as restocked. Suppose you cannot locate a specific product on the website. In that case, it is most likely that the item has not yet been added to the online system or is currently unavailable.

Related:  Dollar General Return Policy: Know Before You Go

According to the Costco FAQ page, they automatically add it to the online inventory when they restock an item. After that, it will appear on the website immediately.

Check the website for updates or set up a stock alert on the item to avoid missing out. They will notify you when the item is available in-store again. To increase your chances of finding your specific item in stock, check for updates between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

How to Check Costco Restocked

You can check with your local Costco to see if an item has been restocked. First, you can inquire about the availability of the items at the customer service desk. Additionally, you can call your local Costco store to inquire about the item’s inventory status and restocking schedule.

If you’re looking for the phone number of your local Costco, go to the website’s store locator. The phone number for that particular Costco will be displayed. After you call the store, dial 0 to talk to a customer service representative.

If you provide the inventory number or item details, the customer representative will quickly find information regarding that item. So, before you call, make sure you have all the information about the item, including the size.

Calling ahead will ensure that you are not disappointed when you go to Costco. It will also ensure that you find everything on your shopping list.

Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a specific item listed on their website, that item may not be found in-store. Furthermore, the prices on the website vary because of the shipping and handling fees that are included.

You can set up a Costco stock alert to check for inventory and receive notifications when a specific item becomes available. Unfortunately, the Costco website does not include a stock alert feature. You can, however, sign up for PriceCase to receive Costco stock alerts. 

PriceCase monitors websites for restocks and sends notifications when an item is restocked or its cost fluctuations. Enter the specific item URL to sign up for PriceCase and be notified when the item is back in stock. Because Costco’s inventory is constantly updated, it’s best to stock up on the item as soon as you get the PriceCase alert.

Related:  A Practical Guide To Intelligent Automation For Enterprises

When Does Costco Restock Produce?

Depending on the location, Costco restocks fresh produce after the night shift ends or immediately before the store reopens. Costco, as previously stated, does not follow the same restocking schedule. Restocking schedules differ according to location, stock volume, and strategic planning.

Most Costco’s restock produce or perishable items in the early hours, which can take several hours. If the stock runs out during the day, Costco restocks it immediately. However, this depends on which is in stock and the arrival of the delivery trucks.

To maintain freshness, employees will restock the least perishable items first, followed by all remaining groceries in the morning. If you’re going to do a fresh produce run, the best time to do it is first thing in the morning.

Which is the Best Day to Shop at Costco?

The best time to shop at Costco is in the morning, especially on Mondays, when the stores reopen. You’ll discover the majority of the shelves restocked. When planning your Costco shopping trip, avoid going close to closing time because Costco frequently runs out of stock during the late shift.

On the other hand, if you want to avoid a busy store with lengthy queues, it’s best to do your shopping on Tuesdays and Thursdays. To avoid the lunchtime scramble, the best time to visit Costco is around 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Another way to maximize your Costco shopping trips is to go right before the store closes on a weeknight.

The Bottom Line

Costco is a well-known large retailer that sells everything from household appliances to a wide range of food. Because of its low prices, it attracts millions of customers. Unfortunately, because of the high demand for its products and large customer base, some items may be out of stock.

Although Costco’s restocking schedule may vary, you can always use PriceCase alerts to receive notifications. You can also call ahead, which is especially useful if there’s a particular product you need. Just make sure you have all the item details to expedite the search process.

We hope this article has provided an answer to the question, “When does Costco restock?”. If you enjoy shopping at Costco, plan ahead of time to ensure that every item on your list is in stock.