Neither Sam’s Club nor Costco is proven to be the cheaper choice for fresh groceries across the board. Compare the items and services available at your local clubs on the same day: Sam’s Club says its Delivery from Club item prices match in-club prices, while Costco says Same-Day delivery prices are higher than local warehouse prices. Those channel policies do not establish which retailer has the lower price for your basket.
Which is cheaper for fresh groceries?
There is no supported, universal price winner. A fair comparison means checking the same products, package sizes and local availability at both retailers on the same date, then comparing unit prices and any service costs.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The delivery-price rules differ within each retailer’s own channels. Sam’s Club says Delivery from Club item prices are the same as in-club, Curbside Pickup and online prices. Costco says Same-Day items cost more than local warehouse prices, with the difference covering service and delivery costs. Costco’s FAQ distinguishes warehouse savings from the greater convenience of CostcoGrocery delivery. These policies compare channels within each store; they are not a head-to-head basket test. Sam’s Club Delivery From Club FAQ · Costco Grocery delivery information.
Published delivery costs
Sam’s Club’s current Delivery from Club FAQ lists the following terms. They are published terms, not a guarantee of the total shown at checkout; confirm the current charge and availability for your club and order. Sam’s Club Delivery From Club FAQ.
#1 Best Overall
- Stands Up & Stays Open: Making shopping so much easier! With a rigid box structure, our reusable bags are super easy to load & unload compared to ordinary floppy bags – Long handles let you carry tall items or sling a tote bag over your shoulder
- Extra Large so You can Carry More: A 3 pack of our large tote bags holds the same as 10 single-use grocery bags! Great for family sized trips to the supermarket, for carrying bulky items, and for organizing produce, meats, and grocery items
- Sturdy & Made to Last: Our super strong grocery tote bag maintains its shape like a box even when fully loaded with groceries or whatever you need to carry – Each sturdy utility tote is crafted from top quality materials for reliable use over and over
- Won't Fall Over in the Trunk: Best shopping bags for groceries! Design is spill proof so items stay put while driving – No more groceries rolling around in the trunk – Bananas, bread, produce and other soft items won't be damaged on your way home
- Easy to Clean: Simply use a damp cloth or sanitizer wipe to clean, then allow to air-dry – Our reusable grocery bags are foldable like a notebook when not in use – conveniently stores under your car seat, trunk, or a kitchen drawer
| Sam’s Club membership | Standard delivery | Express delivery | Delivery in 3 hours or less |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plus | Free on eligible orders of $50 or more; $8 under $50 | $10 | $5 |
| Club | $12 | $22 | $17 |
Costco Same-Day has a $35 minimum order. Costco says Same-Day item prices are higher than warehouse prices; check live checkout for the full current total. Costco Grocery delivery information.
Account for fresh items sold by weight
Sam’s Club says certain meat, home meal solutions, bakery and cheese items are charged according to actual weight, with an online maximum shown. The final charge can therefore differ from an estimate based on the listed maximum. The available Costco pages do not establish an equivalent policy comparison, so check the item details and checkout total there rather than assuming the handling is the same or different. Sam’s Club Delivery From Club FAQ.
Rank #2
- STURDY & DURABLE: There are reinforced handles sewn to the bottom of the tote bag for extra durability, and there is a thick removable plastic bottom insert for extra strength while grocery shopping.
- LARGE CAPACITY: 15" H x 13" L x 10" W. After extensive research, we believe this size is the most practical size. You can carry the grocery bags over your shoulder and easily carry heavy loads.
- ECO-FRIENDLY: Made of recycled polypropylene, use reusable bags to protect the environment.
- EASY TO CLEAN: Machine Washable, Hand Washing recommended, easy to fold after wash the tote bags, Hang dry only.
- VERSATILITY: These heavy duty reusable shopping bags are great for GROCERY SHOPPING, picnics, laundry, the beach, travel, and more.
Which has the better produce and meat selection?
The official descriptions show that both retailers offer fresh grocery categories through eligible services, but they do not provide a like-for-like audit of selection, quality, package sizes or in-stock rates.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Sam’s Club
Sam’s Club’s Philadelphia grocery page lists dairy, seafood, meat, fruits, vegetables and deli items, among other grocery categories, and describes delivery and curbside pickup for eligible items. This is a local example, not a nationwide assortment promise. Sam’s Club Philadelphia grocery page.
Rank #3
- Sturdy Rip-stop Fabric: the WISELIFE reusable grocery bag is made of heavy-duty non-woven fabric reinforced with finished stitches; these large grocery shopping bags are strong and can accommodate odd-shaped items and hold up to 50 lbs
- Super Easy To Clean: the shopping totebags' special fabric is easy to clean; simply use a wet cloth to wipe off the dirt or rinse off under cold water and allow the bag to air dry
- Two Ways of Carrying: the grocery bag has a long and wide handle for easy carrying by hand or over the shoulder; the handle is 9.5 inch long to fit any body type; sturdy fabric ensures that the bag will not break
- Foldable and Portable : each grocery bag measures 16.1” x 13” x 10.2” (L x H x W); folds flat for easy storage in your kitchen, car, handbag, backpack, and luggage; great not only for veggies and fruit, but also great for food shopping, or clothes
- Reusable: one reusable shopping bag is equivalent to 1000+ times of using plastic disposal bags; as an alternative to single-use plastic bags, reusable shopping bags make the future cleaner and more livable
Costco
Costco says Same-Day customers in qualifying ZIP codes can order perishables including organic meats, produce and seafood. Its Same-Day page describes about 2,000 eligible grocery items, but eligibility depends on ZIP code and the local catalog. That figure is not a count of fresh items alone. Costco Grocery delivery information.
To decide which selection fits your household, search both local catalogs for the specific produce, cuts of meat, seafood and dairy products you regularly buy. Compare available package sizes and whether the items are actually in stock; category lists alone cannot answer those questions.
Rank #4
- Extra-Large 35L Capacity: Measuring 16.1×10.2×13.0, each spacious collapsible grocery tote bag accommodates up to 35L of groceries, household items, or clothing. Long, sturdy handles offer multiple ways to comfortably carry the bag, by hand, over the arm, or over the shoulder
- Easy to Clean & Reuse: The large reusable shopping bags have a protective coating that resists water and stains, making the bags effortless to clean with a damp cloth. They serve as a long-lasting alternative to flimsy plastic bags or paper bags that are prone to ripping for all your daily errands
- Premium Details: The thick non-woven fabric of the kitchen reusable grocery bags withstands tears and daily wear. Designed for heavy-duty use, these reusable shopping bags with handles feature reinforced stitching and well-finished edges, capable of holding up to 30
- Foldable to Save Space: At only 0.15 per bag, these foldable grocery bags with handles are incredibly easy to carry anywhere without extra weight. Fold the bag flat for compact storage in your trunk, handbag, or backpack, saving space when not in use
- Versatile Use: WISELIFE reusable tote bags with handles are reliable for grocery shopping, trunk organization, camping, picnics, storage, and more. They keep your items neat and organized on the go, offering a portable storage solution for all kinds of outings
Which is more convenient for pickup or delivery?
Sam’s Club delivery
Members can place Delivery from Club orders on the website or app. The FAQ describes standard, express and same-day or next-day options; express may arrive as soon as one hour, while same-day orders should be placed by 1 p.m. The general delivery area is within 15 miles of a club. Actual windows and express availability depend on local slots. Sam’s Club Delivery From Club FAQ.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchSam’s Club curbside pickup
At the Philadelphia club described on its local page, shoppers choose items marked for pickup, select a time, then check in from the club parking area for loading. The page says Plus pickup scheduling may start at 7 a.m. and Club scheduling at 9 a.m.; those times are specific to that example and should not be generalized to other clubs. Sam’s Club Philadelphia grocery page.
Best Value
- Large Capacity w/ Front Pocket & Hanging Loop – 14.6” W x 14” H x 10” D - 8.7 Gallons or 32.9 Liters of storage capacity. Fit more items than your traditional plastic grocery bags with its spacious nature. Place your grocery list, phone, or money in the convenient outside pocket which is located on the front of the bag for easy retrieval. You can even hang the bag on a shopping cart with the small loop that is located at the top of the bag for convenient and easy grocery shopping!
- Stays Upright & Easy to Shop w/ Hard Bottom – Keep your items stable and from tipping over when carrying the tote bag or when placed in your car, trunk, shopping cart, counter, or floor with the hard bottom! Easily load and unload with this sturdy bag which stays upright and maintains its shape due to the hard bottom. Place a set of 4 bags in your shopping cart for easy, convenient, and organized shopping!
- Sturdy & Durable Water-Resistant Structure – Carry up to 45 lbs. with the strong yet lightweight construction. Made from a high-grade, water-resistant, and thick PP-woven material that is made to last while the strong poly webbing handles wrap around and under the grocery bag for increased load capacity and heavy-duty usage! Carry comfortably by hand or over your shoulder with the 12” handles and easily clean this folding beach tote bag with wipes then let air dry.
- Multi-Functional – Multi-purpose and can be used for various occasions such as grocery shopping, beach, work, picnics, or trips! Perfect for packing your groceries, bringing food for a picnic, carrying your beach essentials, and transporting your work supplies. VENO reusable bags are versatile, functional, and fashionable for everyday use and timelessness. U.S. Patent Pending, Application Number 29887865.
- Reusable & Sustainable to Protect the Environment – VENO reusable grocery shopping bags are created through maximizing the use of post-consumer material to make high-grade bags that save plastic from ending up in oceans, lakes, and landfills. Help us in protecting our environment to create a cleaner, more livable future. Collapsible and foldable for future use and easy storage in your car, glove compartment, kitchen, cabinet, drawer, luggage, or purse!
Costco Same-Day delivery
Costco Same-Day is fulfilled through Instacart and is available only in qualifying ZIP codes. If an item is unavailable, shoppers can discuss a substitution or refund, and Costco says the customer must be present for delivery. The $35 minimum applies. Costco Grocery delivery information.
How to compare your local grocery basket
- Make a short recurring list. Include the fresh items your household buys often, such as fruit, vegetables, dairy, meat and seafood.
- Check both local catalogs on the same day. Confirm that the products are available in your ZIP code and note package weight or count.
- Compare unit prices. Divide the price by weight or count so differently sized packages can be compared fairly.
- Separate warehouse from delivery prices. Costco Same-Day prices are higher than local warehouse prices, while Sam’s Club says Delivery from Club has no item markup. Do not treat those channel policies as a direct retailer price comparison.
- Add the service cost you would actually pay. Include delivery or pickup charges, membership eligibility and any relevant travel or waiting time. Compare checkout totals, not just listed item prices.
- Check final weights and availability. For Sam’s Club weighted items, account for the actual-weight charge and displayed maximum; for either retailer, confirm substitutions, stock and the final total before ordering.
What about rewards?
Sam’s Club says Delivery from Club orders do not accrue Sam’s Cash. Costco says eligible Executive Membership rewards and Costco Anywhere Visa rewards apply to CostcoGrocery shopping. Eligibility depends on the relevant program and shopping channel, so verify current terms before including rewards in a price comparison. Sam’s Club Delivery From Club FAQ · Costco Grocery delivery information.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →
