Why You Spend So Much Money At Costco, Ikea & Trader Joe’s | Hooked Marathon

Would you buy peanut butter in bulk or build your own desk to get a good deal? Do you have an unhealthy obsession with a quirky, private-label grocery store with no sales? From Costco to Ikea to Trader Joe’s, here are the secrets behind some of your favorite retailers — and how they get you to spend so much money before you walk out the door.

Episodes featured in this Hooked Marathon:

00:00 -- Intro

01:07 -- Costco

"Some of their customer base is absolutely addicted to Costco — absolutely addicted to the experience and the brands and the thrill of going to Costco," Patricia Hong, partner at the global management consulting firm A.T. Kearney, tells CNBC Make It. That's by design — inspiring obsession is all part of Costco's playbook. Here's how Costco gets you hooked.

10:22 -- Ikea
Ikea was founded in 1943 by a young Swedish man named Ingvar Kamprad. Today, there are 433 stores in 53 countries. The name Ikea comes from Ingvar's first and last initial, the farm he grew up on — Elmtaryd — and the village he lived near — Agunnaryd. Initially the company started by selling pencils and postcards. In 1948, it began selling furniture, and the rest is history. In fiscal year 2019, Ikea sold 7 million Billy bookcases, and brought in $45 billion in retail sales.

24:56 -- Trader Joe's
Trader Joe's bucks much of the general wisdom of typical grocery stores in the U.S. — it doesn't do sales or coupons, has no self-checkout, no loyalty cards, and almost always has a nightmare-ish line at check-out. Here's how it was successful anyway.

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Why You Spend So Much Money At Costco, Ikea & Trader Joe’s | Hooked Marathon

[melissajoseph]

Theses three companies do not need to make any forms of advertising, because this has been the best advertisement ever. No negativity, just positivity.

[BoringTroublemaker]

Even though it’s just me and my husband, we have had a Costco membership for years. We go about 4-5 times per year and only buy a series of really specific things. But the reason we continue to renew is less to do with the bargains and more about wanting to support a business that treats their employees well. If we need something that we CAN get at Costco in a size appropriate for our needs, we probably will.

[InsidiousDr]

2020 Shortages of food and toilet paper make me appreciate Costco. I bought some metal shelves and now keep a few weeks worth of bulk foods.

[MrWaterbugdesign]

I switched to eating low carb 3 years ago. One side benefit has been skipping 90% of food stores. In and out is quick. I was surprised how much time that saves me, decisions on what to buy is simple. The number of different things I buy is very low now.

[BuckleBunny]

If you buy bulk at Amazon you still don’t know what you’re going to get. You don’t know if it’s gonna be fresh, old or expired

[lovely]

Who click on this Video because of @TheWads and Mrs. K. Whisk

[shirleyjjohnston]

I thought I was seeing things or YouTube made a mistake. KIM was on this documentary! Pretty as ever. Does Kim know?

[Quettasbedhead]

When you don't shop at any of these stores 😂 greatest part about trader Joe's is Aldi

[wildshadowstar]

I came because I thought I was going to see more of Kim. I don’t shop at these stores because the nearest is over an hour drive one way, so it’s not really convenient to go on a regular basis. Plus, it’s just me in my house, so buying in bulk isn’t ideal. As for Trader Joe’s, there’s an Aldi’s half the distance in a town I normally frequent.

[meepmopmoop]

Sam's Club has ALWAYS been cheaper for me. Even gas is cheaper at Sam's. I do have both memberships currently bc we travel a lot. Some places only have one or the other.

[lalakuma]

Honestly I did save money shopping in Trader Joe's when I lived in a city with one. I always saved $20-30 compared to when I bought the same items in other supermarkets. It's what makes lining up at the checkout line and lugging heavy bags into the train station worth it. If I didn't save money, I would never do it.

[livinwiththeedges]

Just clicked because they used Kim wadsworth in their thumbnail.

[rainbowflower]

Costco doesn't always have the best deal. Butter, for example is $10 for 4lbs, where as Kroger has butter for $1.99 a lb at least 1x a month. But I also agree, a lot of people don't need that much food. For a couple or a single person, it doesn't make sense.

[katherinelangford]

Just today I bought leggings, a video game, a foam roller, Ray-bans and booked a car rental all on Costco's website. They 100% have me hook, line, and sink.

[fofita]

When I was single I shopped at Costco, now it’s me and my husband and we still shop there.

So many fresh things that we buy can be frozen and will last me until I use it all up. Plus we buy gas, prescriptions, glasses/contacts, household items, clothes, books, holiday gifts, furniture, vacations/cruises, rental cars, jewelry, small appliances, car tires & batteries, food court & deli food, etc. We always compare prices with Amazon/Walmart/Best Buy etc. Costco’s return policy is amazing, so that’s weighed into the decision too.

I’ve been shopping at Costco since my teens with my parents. Im totally hooked!

[SodaSiren]

The Family Fudge is one of my favorite YouTube channels. So happy to them pop up @1:10

[edwi]

Costco delivery. Trader Joe’s in person. Perfect combo

[solidstate]

There is no Costco at Germany. And no Trader Joe's. We only have IKEA.

[andratoma]

Costco member, shopper, love the quality of fresh produce! I usually spend 300-400 every time I go at Costco…and 😍

[KS-unpi]

Some people don't like the self check out. I hate walmart having 1 checker in the whole store and numerous self checkouts. They don't pay me to do their job. I'd rather wait in line and have human interaction with a cashier. But, that's just me!