My visit to the Cancun location made that clear:
What stays the same:
• The rotisserie chicken still has a fan club (and still sells out).
• Kirkland Signature brand dominates for value.
• The holiday merchandise is out in full force, even in 82° humidity.
What adapts:
• Controlled, ticketed parking with visible security.
• The food court sits outside the warehouse: pizza, hot dogs, sundaes… plus local menu adds, all before you even check your membership card.
• Milk is ultra-pasteurized and shelf-stable — sold in cases of boxed cartons instead of refrigerated gallons.
What gets reinvented:
• Much of the merchandise is optimized for vacation homes and tourists: giant water jugs, floaties, beach towels, fans, bug spray, sunscreen.
• The treasure hunt goes to the beach: coolers, shade tents, SUPs, travel-friendly bundles.
• The liquor aisle is a tequila-mezcal destination, with formats perfectly calibrated for group travel and local flavor.
• Even the checkout area feels adapted — high-volume, tightly managed lanes, and a strong front-end staffing model.
Global brand. Local expression.
Part of the genius of Costco is how they stay consistent while adapting to the local market…and yes, I filled the cart!
