Costco has long been a haven for savvy shoppers, but 2026 is shaping up to be a unique year for the warehouse giant. With inflation still nudging grocery bills upward and retail trends shifting toward experiences and health, Costco has adjusted its inventory to match.

You might have noticed the membership fee hike in late 2025—Gold Star is now $65 and Executive is $130—but the value proposition has arguably never been stronger. From pharmacy shake-ups that challenge traditional insurance models to high-tech home upgrades that undercut big-box electronics stores, the “treasure hunt” is very much alive.

Whether you’re a long-time Executive member or just grabbed your first Gold Star card, these are the 12 deals and trends shoppers are prioritizing right now.

1. The “Transparent” Pharmacy Pricing (and GLP-1 Access)

One of the biggest shifts for 2026 is Costco’s aggressive move into healthcare transparency. If you pay for prescriptions out of pocket or have a high-deductible plan, this is a deal you can’t ignore.

Costco has partnered with pharmacy benefit manager Navitus to roll out a “cost-plus” pricing model. This means you see exactly what the drug costs Costco, plus a small, transparent markup. It’s a direct challenge to the opaque pricing of traditional pharmacies.

The Big Draw: Weight loss medications. Shoppers are buzzing about access to GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy. Through their partnership with Sesame, members can access a weight loss program that includes a clinician consultation and a prescription (if appropriate) for around $179 for three months (consultation fee only; medication cost is separate). However, for the medication itself, Costco is offering competitive self-pay prices that can save hundreds compared to standard retail rates.

“We continue to find new ways to make access to our medicines more convenient, meeting people where they are.” — Novo Nordisk spokesperson on retail partnerships

2. Premium Laptop Bundles: The Surface Pro & Dell Deals

Electronics have always been a Costco stronghold, but early 2026 has brought some particularly strong bundles that are beating direct-from-manufacturer pricing.

The standout this season is the Microsoft Surface Pro bundle. Costco is selling the 13-inch model with the Snapdragon X Elite chip, 16GB RAM, and 1TB SSD for roughly $1,000. Here is why that matters: at other retailers, you often have to buy the keyboard and pen separately, which can add $200+ to the bill. Costco includes them.

Other Tech Deals to Watch:

• Dell Inspiron 16-inch Touchscreen Laptop: Often discounted by $200–$300 during monthly flyer sales.
• HP Envy Series: Look for “manufacturer instant savings” that drop these well below Best Buy prices.

3. 2026 Travel Packages: Europe and “Coolcationing”

Revenge travel is over; smart travel is in. Costco Travel has revamped its offerings for 2026 with a focus on value-heavy international trips. The trend this year is “coolcationing”—heading to cooler destinations to escape summer heat waves.

You’ll find expanded cruise inventory for Alaska and Northern Europe (think Norway and Iceland). A typical 7-night Alaska cruise package now often includes a digital Costco Shop Card (cash back) worth anywhere from $50 to $200, effectively lowering the trip cost.

For sun seekers, the Cancun and Dominican Republic all-inclusive packages remain unbeatable. Why? They include ground transportation. If you’ve ever tried to haggle for a taxi at Cancun airport, you know this perk alone is worth its weight in gold.

4. Gold Bars and Silver Coins

It started as a novelty in 2023, but buying precious metals at Costco has become a legitimate investment strategy for many members in 2026. With economic uncertainty still lingering, the 1-ounce gold bars (PAMP Suisse or Rand Refinery) often sell out within hours of restocking online.

Why shoppers jump on this:

• Pricing: Costco typically sells these slightly above the “spot price” of gold, but often lower than local coin dealers.
• The “Double Dip”: If you use the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card (2% cash back) and have an Executive Membership (another 2% reward), you’re effectively getting 4% back on the purchase. On a $2,600 bar, that’s over $100 in rewards, which often brings your net cost below the spot price of gold.

5. Early Spring Garden Center Arrivals

Gardening isn’t just a hobby anymore; for many, it’s a way to offset grocery costs. Costco’s garden center is already stocking up for Spring 2026, and the “lucky” plants are flying off the shelves.

Keep an eye out for Money Trees (Pachira aquatica) and Braided Lucky Bamboo in ceramic pots. These are selling for around $20–$25, significantly less than what you’d pay at a boutique nursery.

For serious gardeners, the cedar raised garden beds are a steal. Rot-resistant and easy to assemble, they are often priced 30-40% lower than home improvement stores. If you see the Miracle-Gro Organic Choice potting mix (50-quart bags) for roughly $10, grab it—it’s a seasonal staple that tends to vanish by May.

6. New Modular Furniture (Indoor & Outdoor)

Furniture at Costco used to mean “whatever bulky brown leather sofa they have in the aisle.” In 2026, the selection has modernized significantly. The buzz this year is around modular sectionals like the Thomasville Fallon 6-Piece.

Priced around $1,500–$1,800, this sectional rivals cloud couches from high-end retailers that cost three times as much. The “modular” aspect is key—you can rearrange the pieces to fit a new apartment or a tricky living room layout.

Outdoor Trend: Look for the Agio Juniper Fire Table sets. These have become a cult favorite because they extend your patio season into the cooler months. At roughly $2,000 for a full deep-seating set with a fire pit, it’s a “buy it for life” purchase for many homeowners.

7. Smart Home Upgrades: Garage Openers & Drones

The “smart home” aisle is expanding. A surprising hit for early 2026 is the Craftsman myQ Smart Belt-Drive Garage Door Opener. It allows you to open and close your garage from your phone (great for letting in delivery drivers). Costco bundles often include extra remotes or battery backups that you don’t get at other stores.

For fun, the Hover Air X1 Drone bundle is catching attention. It’s a “self-flying” camera drone that follows you—perfect for solo travelers or content creators. Costco’s bundle typically includes extra batteries and a charging hub for around $400, a savings of about $80 compared to buying everything separately.

8. Discounted Gift Cards (The “Free Money” Aisle)

This is the most overlooked section of the warehouse. Costco sells $100 packs of gift cards for $79.99 or $74.99. In 2026, the selection has expanded beyond just restaurants.

Top Picks:

• Topgolf: $100 value for $79.99.
• Spafinder: $100 value for $79.99 (accepted at thousands of spas nationwide).
• Gaming: Nintendo eShop, Roblox, and Xbox cards are frequently discounted by 10-15%.
• Domino’s / Peet’s Coffee: Often $100 value for $75-$80.

Pro Tip: Buying these before a date night, family outing, or vacation is literally instant savings. If you know you’re going to spend the money anyway, never pay face value.

9. Michelin & Bridgestone Tire Promos

Tire prices have crept up everywhere, including at Costco. Installation fees rose slightly in late 2025 (now around $20 per tire), but the value package has improved. Your installation now includes nitrogen inflation (which maintains pressure better in temperature changes) and the standard 5-year road hazard warranty.

The Deal to Watch: Rotating “instant savings” of $60 to $100 off a set of 4 tires. Unlike rebates that require mailing in a form and waiting weeks for a prepaid card, Costco’s discount is applied instantly at the register. Michelin and Bridgestone take turns offering this deal almost every month.

10. New Grocery Items for 2026

You can’t leave Costco without visiting the food aisles. Several new items have hit the shelves in early 2026 that are getting rave reviews on social media.

• Buitoni Meatball Panino: A frozen, stuffed sandwich that tastes surprisingly gourmet. Great for quick work-from-home lunches.
• Ruprecht Chinese BBQ-Style Beef Short Ribs: These are sous-vide cooked, meaning they are incredibly tender and just need to be heated up. A restaurant-quality dinner for a fraction of the price.
• LesserEvil Garlic Parmesan Popcorn: A “healthier” snack that doesn’t taste like cardboard. The giant bag costs about the same as a tiny bag at Whole Foods.

11. Clothing Staples: Champion & Eddie Bauer

Costco clothing (or “Costco Couture”) has gone mainstream. For 2026, the buyers have doubled down on activewear and high-quality basics.

You can currently find Champion hoodies for kids and adults for under $20—about half the price of sporting goods stores. Eddie Bauer men’s jeans and tech pants are another favorite, often priced at $15–$18. These aren’t knock-offs; they are the real brand, just sold in bulk pallets to keep prices low.

12. The Executive Membership Upgrade

Is paying $130 for a membership actually a “deal”? In 2026, for many families, the answer is yes. With the fee increase came a cap increase: you can now earn up to $1,250 in 2% rewards per year (previously capped at $1,000).

If you spend more than $270 a month at Costco, the Executive upgrade pays for itself. Plus, new perks include additional Instacart credits for same-day delivery and better home insurance rates through Costco’s partners.

What Can Go Wrong? (Mistakes to Avoid)

Even at Costco, not every deal is a winner for every person. Here is where shoppers get tripped up:

• The Perishable Trap: Buying bulk produce (like the giant bag of spinach) often leads to food waste. Unless you have a large family or meal prep religiously, stick to frozen or shelf-stable bulk items.
• Electronics Return Policy: While Costco has a legendary “satisfaction guarantee,” electronics (TVs, computers, cameras) have a strict 90-day return window. Don’t assume you can return that laptop in two years if it breaks.
• Clearance Prices (.97): If you see a price ending in .97, that is a clearance item. It will not be restocked. If you want it, buy it now—it won’t be there next week.

When to Consult a Professional

While Costco deals are straightforward, some financial moves related to them might require advice:

1. Gold Investment: Before moving a significant portion of your savings into physical gold bars, talk to a financial advisor about portfolio diversification and storage risks.
2. Prescription Changes: Never switch medications solely because of price. Consult your doctor or pharmacist to ensure a switch to a “preferred” Costco drug is medically appropriate for you.

Costco’s 2026 lineup proves that the warehouse model is evolving. By combining old-school bulk value with modern perks like GLP-1 access and smart home tech, they are making that annual fee harder to resist. Whether you are there for the gold bars or just the $1.50 hot dog (which, yes, is still $1.50), these deals offer genuine ways to stretch your budget this year.

Disclaimer: This is educational content based on general financial principles and current retail trends. Individual results vary based on your situation. Always verify current tax laws, investment rules, and benefit eligibility with official sources.

Last updated: February 2026. Financial regulations, prices, and rates change frequently—verify current details with official sources.