DoorDash now offers same-day delivery from every Costco warehouse across the United States, expanding the reach of one of the country’s most popular bulk retailers. The service went live on Thursday, giving customers the option to have large grocery hauls, household essentials and more brought directly to their door.
Shoppers using DoorDash will need an active Costco membership to place an order. The Gold Star plan costs roughly £50 per year, while the Executive plan is priced at around £105. To begin, customers open the DoorDash app, search for Costco, select their local warehouse, link their membership and complete the purchase.
The move follows a similar expansion by Uber Eats, which recently widened its Costco delivery coverage from 17 states to 47. The process for Uber Eats users mirrors that of DoorDash.
What Is Available and How Much It Costs
According to DoorDash, customers can order groceries, pantry staples, household essentials, electronics, seasonal merchandise and Kirkland Signature products among other items. Delivery fees vary depending on the order, and DashPass members receive free delivery on eligible purchases.
Costco has maintained a delivery partnership with Instacart since 2013. Instacart users do not require a Costco membership, though they typically pay higher prices than members. DoorDash already delivered Costco products in Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Iceland and Puerto Rico, and added the United States after finding that Costco ranked among the most-searched retailers by its app users.
The Growth of Online Grocery Delivery
Online grocery delivery has expanded rapidly in recent years. Early dot-com era ventures such as Peapod, HomeGrocer and Webvan struggled and ultimately failed, partly due to slow internet speeds and high infrastructure costs. The COVID pandemic then triggered a substantial surge in the sector.
After nationwide lockdowns began in early 2020, monthly online grocery sales in the US rose to EUR 6 billion, up from EUR 2 billion before the pandemic. More than 57% of US households purchased groceries online, compared with 25% prior to the lockdown.
Although many shoppers returned to physical stores, online grocery shopping has begun to rise again, supported by faster and more streamlined deliveries. Some items from Amazon arrive in 30 minutes or less, and Walmart also offers half-hour delivery in several US markets. Gopuff delivers convenience items such as snacks, drinks and cleaning products, with thousands available in as little as 15 minutes.
Online grocery sales increased more than 20% year on year for six consecutive quarters through March of this year. Many US households are also relying more heavily on Costco and Walmart as prices continue to climb for groceries, electronics, fuel and other goods. Market research firm Placer.ai reported that trips to Costco have risen by more than 18% since 2019, while Consumer Reports rated Costco and Walmart as offering the best value for groceries.
Peter Schlactus, co-founder and executive director of the Association for Delivery Drivers, noted that the partnership represents a fresh opportunity for delivery workers, adding that both companies must ensure the arrangement benefits drivers. The organisation provides safety training, discounted gear, insurance and job opportunities for its members
