We have Costco here too. Do you have to be a member there and pay a fee?

@Jolanta Yes, our Costco is members only too, with an annual fee, but we generally make more back in the rebate to cover the cost of the membership fee. We don't have a lot of shopping options on this little island, so everyone shops there, including the tourists.

@Julie808 Do the tourist have to take out a membership too? I think it is just crazy to pay some company for the privilege to shop in their stores. I can understand that there are not many alternatives where you live. I am not a member of Costco but have friends who are, so I have been there. After looking at their prices I have come to the conclusion that it is not cheaper at all. If you look at the price per kilo, Aldi and other outlets are much cheaper. There a few items that are cheaper but one has to buy in such large quantities for it to be worth it.

@Jolanta Costco is such a big company that most of the tourists are already members.

Yes, we are very limited in our shopping. We got our Costco in 2006 and it was such a relief for the residents to have such selection of quality merchandise. Besides name brand items, ours sells a lot of local products and locally grown produce.

It's not uncommon to shop split the large quanities friends and neighbors. Now that I'm shopping for one, I end up putting half my groceries in the freezer so they don't go to waste.

I don't know what Aldi is.

@Julie808 Aldi is a German grocery chain. Very good quality goods and very affordable. Much cheaper than Costco or any other store.