Costco's treasure-hunt aisles are doing what they always do in a wobbly economy: pulling in crowds hunting for markdowns while everyday grocery prices keep grinding higher.
The warehouse club doesn't run traditional weekly sales, but its "death star" asterisks—those little stars on price signs—signal an item is on its way out, often at a steep discount.
Right now, shoppers are flagging a fresh batch of clearance finds, and the savings are real if you know where to look.
The pattern is familiar to warehouse veterans.
When an item gets the asterisk, it usually means the product is discontinued or being replaced, and the store wants it gone fast.
That's when prices drop below the usual member discount, sometimes by 30% or more.
The catch: once it's gone, it's gone, and inventory varies wildly by location.
Grocery inflation has cooled from its 2022 peak, but food-at-home costs are still climbing faster than many paychecks.
That's pushed more households toward bulk buying, even as some critics argue the membership fee only pays off for bigger families.
Costco's recent earnings show members are still renewing at high rates, a sign the value pitch is landing.
Among the current standouts, shoppers are reporting deep cuts on seasonal apparel and home goods as the retailer clears space for new inventory.
Small kitchen appliances and cookware sets have popped up at prices well under comparable big-box listings.
Seasonal decor and outdoor furniture are also getting slashed as the calendar turns.
In the food aisles, watch for limited-time items and holiday leftovers getting marked down.
Coffee, snacks, and frozen favorites sometimes get the asterisk treatment when packaging changes.
These are the finds that disappear within days, so timing matters more than loyalty to a shopping list.
Check the price sign for the asterisk, note the last two digits—prices ending in .97 typically mean a store-specific clearance, while .00 often signals a manager's final markdown.
Also keep an eye on the date code on the sign; some markdowns are timed to specific weeks.
Weekday mornings are quieter, and employees restock and re-tag overnight, so early shoppers often see fresh markdowns before the weekend rush.
If you spot a deal you love, grab it—returns are generous, but the item may not be there tomorrow.
The basic Gold Star tier runs $65 a year, with the Executive tier at $130 and 2% back on most purchases.
If you're spending enough to earn more than the fee difference in rewards, the upgrade can pencil out—but only if you're actually using it.
Clearance stock is unpredictable, and a "deal" is only a deal if you needed the item anyway.
Buying something just because it's cheap is how warehouses win.
The bigger takeaway is that warehouse clubs have become a real inflation hedge for millions of households.
Costco's model—low margins, high volume, membership fees—lets it undercut traditional grocers on staples.
As long as grocery bills stay stubborn, those treasure-hunt aisles will keep drawing crowds.
My take: the smartest Costco shoppers treat clearance like a game with rules, not a free-for-all.
Know your prices, watch for the asterisk, and walk away from anything you wouldn't buy at full price.
Final Thoughts
The deals are genuine, but so is the temptation to overspend.