That said, when looking at truly world-class investors with exposure to single-stock names, I thought I'd look for one non-Magnificent-7 stock I think may be intriguing for investors to consider. I think I have it. I'm going to discuss why Costco ( NASDAQ:COST) appears to be so widely-owned in the world of wealthy investors, and why this stock may also be perfect for a small retail investor as well right now.
Sometimes, change can be a good thing, but customers have ended up downright angry with quite a few changes Costco has made over the years. Sometimes, change is inevitable. However, the problem comes when the change makes the overall experience or product worse rather than better or just different. While sometimes the changes haven't been something the company had any control over, like being forced to switch manufacturers, other times, the changes have just missed the mark from the customers' point of view.
When it comes to design, the smallest details can make the biggest difference in any room. And as a renter with limited options for overhauling my own kitchen, I've always relied on impactful decor to create a playful environment where my guests feel comfortable. So when I spotted Costco's adorable Pandex Icon Glasses - a play on one of 2025's most popular glassware designs - I knew I had to check them out.
Costco's bakery is home to some of the best store-bought cakes around. Yet if you want to order a custom Costco cake for a special occasion, you have to go into your local warehouse in person and fill out a paper form by hand. That is all changing this year. During the December 11, 2025 Costco Q1 2026 earnings call, Costco CEO Ron Vachris outlined plans for one of the most exciting changes coming to Costco in 2026: the ability to order custom cakes through the Costco app.
Love is in the air at Costco this month, and even if you're not really a Valentine's Day person, you're bound to fall head over heels for one of the stores's all-new grocery and kitchen items. For February of 2026, the warehouse chain is packed with exciting snacks, frozen meals, canned drinks, and even some cute drinkware that have shoppers buzzing on social media.
Consumers seldom skip wholesale shopping opportunities that offer good deals on brand names and discounted bulk prices. Of course, it helps that stores like Costco consistently deliver that experience - and then some. Its warehouses have become destinations in and of themselves for the variety of affordable products, and while its customers enjoy the personalized attention they receive from its well-informed and obliging employees, not all branches are uniform.
For fans of Costco's bakery, you know that there are plenty of delicious items to buy and a handful of others you should skip. According to Tasting Table's research, two flavors of muffin from the Costco bakery are firmly on the "no" list as they are a duo of disappointing desserts. The next time you're browsing Costco for a sweet treat, leave the triple chocolate and blueberries and cream muffins in the bakery section and opt for a more fulfilling confection.
A new contender has surfaced at Costco, but instead of in the pantry section, this one lurks in the frozen dessert aisle. Meet the newest fish making waves at the warehouse: Binggrae Samanco frozen dairy desserts. These confections are a classic Korean treat made by the same company that makes Melona frozen ice cream bars. They are just as adorable as the iconic cheesy snack crackers, with an even more realistic look (they're reportedly made specifically to look like carp).
Every time you walk out of Costco with that perfectly golden $4.99 rotisserie chicken, you've just helped them lose money. That's right - Costco's CFO stated in 2015 that Costco loses between $30 to $40 million annually on their famous rotisserie chickens. Yet somehow, this wholesale giant continues to thrive, with net sales reaching $249.6 billion in fiscal 2024. What's going on here?
There's the planning of the trip - figuring out what you're doing, how you'll get there, and where you'll stay - and then there's packing for it. From tracking down travel-size toiletries to figuring out which clothes you're actually going to wear, there's a lot to figure out, but even the perfect packing list won't be useful if you don't have a good bag to put it all in.
I've shopped at Costco for over 10 years, so I know a lot of the rookie mistakes to avoid. Knowing how to read the chain's price tags can help you make smarter purchasing decisions. Costco often has great deals on restaurant gift-card packs and its house-label products.
Costco Wholesale Corp ( NASDAQ:COST) just reported something remarkable: a 92.3% renewal rate in the US and Canada, with 89.8% worldwide. That's not just a metric. It's the entire business model distilled into two numbers. Most retailers live and die by comparable sales or margin expansion. Costco's stickiness lives in membership renewal. When nine out of ten customers voluntarily write another check each year, you've built something Amazon.com Inc ( NASDAQ:AMZN) and Walmart Inc ( NYSE:WMT) can't easily replicate.
Frank G's Hole in the Wall Meatballs & Marinara Sauce retail for $13.99 for a package of about nine meatballs, while the Kirkland Signature Italian Meatballs are around $25 for a six-pound bag. Frank G's are made with beef and veal for a richer, more complex flavor, and they don't contain preservatives or any artificial ingredients or flavors. The marinara sauce is homemade from Italian tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, onions, garlic, and basil.
Granted, Costco has a lot of membership perks beyond its discounted food and gas prices, which might lure you into the store. While Costco is a better choice in some categories, sometimes it's the little things that add up to make Sam's Club the best choice for many people, which is why both clubs can thrive side by side in most cities.
It's always a good day when a new Costco bakery item makes its way onto store shelves, and fans of Costco's semi-recent, first-of-its-kind mini chocolate hazelnut-filled beignets are in luck. A mini caramel-filled beignet was quietly released this week, and shoppers are already obsessed and running to their local stores. These sweet dough balls were a hit from the start.
The warehouse retailer won't accept returns on beer, wine, or spirits "where prohibited by law," according to their official policy. This catches plenty of shoppers by surprise, especially those buying in bulk for occasions like weddings or big parties, only to realize a bit too late that they bought more than they needed. Reddit is full of stories from frustrated couples who discovered this too late. One California bride bought cases of beer and wine for her wedding, only to have staff turn her husband away at returns when guests drank less than expected.
One of Costco's biggest ways to save doesn't involve setting foot inside a warehouse. The wholesale club has been selling gasoline since 1995, and many US warehouses now have pumps for members to top up. The company is even set to open its first-ever stand-alone gas station in California this year. The savings make gasoline one of the biggest ways shoppers say their annual membership fee basically pays for itself.
There are many reasons to love Costco. Their bakery is always pumping out new, delicious treats - like this new ridiculously delicious triple chocolate loaf - you can always try plenty of yummy samples, and their bulk pricing system seriously cannot be beat. But one complaint many Costco shoppers agree on is the warehouse's signage, or lack thereof. Someone else wrote that this design takes you on "a magical mystery tour of things you don't need but suddenly want." Many agreed.
Costco was founded in the 1980s, and it's been changing shoppers' lives ever since. Every day, millions of Americans flock to the warehouse chain to take advantage of its low prices, free samples, range of goods, and, of course, its food court. This warehouse store is so beloved, it even has its own league of superfans: There are actually people out there with Costco tattoos. One even has Kirkland Signature inked on his arm.
If you're looking for an easy weeknight dinner option that makes you feel like you've ducked into a proper English pub, Costco's frozen seafood section has a sneaky good option. It's the wild caught Neptune Pub Style Lightly Battered Halibut. This crispy, partially cooked halibut is sold in two-pound boxes and can be oven-baked in 20 minutes or deep-fried in 5 minutes.
Working from home has become commonplace, and having the proper equipment around your home workspace can be the difference between an inviting workday and an uncomfortable slog through your daily tasks. Readily available are gadgets that make working from home easier, as well as gadgets to boost productivity when working from home. They range from ergonomic furniture to electronics you can put to use on a daily basis.
The Costco subreddit r/costco has nearly 2 million weekly visitors, and one of the most frequently debated issues among members is Costco's selection of freezers. Devoted shoppers routinely recommend garage and home freezers to others, and customers regularly ask for advice on which size or model to purchase. In fact, among all of the major kitchen appliances you can buy at Costco, the store's chest and upright freezers are often recommended.
Costco rolled out a new prepared food item at the beginning of January 2026, and some members are not impressed. Its pesto pasta salad features Trottole pasta, arugula, mozzarella pearls, and slow-roasted tomatoes dressed with Kirkland Signature basil pesto. Its hefty price tag of $5.99 a pound is leading some Costco shoppers to think this new prepared food is a total ripoff for how bland the salad is.
As a longtime Costco employee, I always look forward to scanning the shelves for new items. This month, the warehouse has lots of great products, from elegant furniture to tasty treats. The Touchland hand sanitizers, Canon Rebel T7 camera, and Tutti Bella pizzas all caught my eye. A new year means new opportunities to find great new items at Costco. And as an employee of 20 years, I love that I'm always able to get a front-row seat to the newest products.
For many of us, organization is the final boss in getting our kitchen set up the way we want. Creating a harmonious flow and ensuring easy access in a clean, organized space can be difficult. Luckily, there are solutions, and one of the best comes from Costco. The iDesign kitchen bins sold by the retailer can be used in the fridge or the pantry. They don't have any bells or whistles. They offer simple, clean organization, and the results are hard to beat.
Costco always has its fair share of incredible desserts that customers love, like the luxuriously layered tuxedo mousse cake or classic seasonal pumpkin pie. So, it's always alluring when the company brings out a new player. You never know if it'll be a hit or a flop. When I saw videos online a couple of days ago announcing that Costco had a new sweet in its arsenal - the chocolate brownie walnut pie - I immediately looked to see if my closest store had it.
With items including a new variety pack from Liquid Death, plant-based Greek style yogurt from Forager Project, crispy edamame snacks, fan-favorite popsicles, and much more, there's no better time to do a little "treasure hunt" style shopping at Costco.