I love grocery shopping when I travel. It’s a simple pleasure to see what local stores stock and compare prices. While visiting southern England, we stopped by the Southampton Costco to take a look around.
As with many Costcos, there was a line outside before opening. Once inside, the store felt familiar—until a few distinct British finds caught my eye.
Here are some highlights from that visit.
Tiptree Marmalade
I love Tiptree marmalade and regretted not grabbing a jar. It’s a classic British favorite.
Cadbury Creme Eggs
Bulk Cadbury Creme Eggs were stacked up—an incredible find for fans of the treat.
McVitie’s Digestives
I bought a six-pack of the chocolate-covered digestives. With the exchange rate at the time (about 1 GBP = $1.35 USD), the price felt too good to pass up.
Dairy and Butter
There was a noticeable difference between regular skimmed milk and Jersey milk, with Jersey milk commanding a higher price for its richer quality.
They even sold spray cream—fun and nostalgic, just like the “squirty cream” signs suggested.
Butter was sold in 500g packs (about 17.6 oz). Converting the price gave a useful comparison to U.S. prices.
The Wyke brand was pricier. It made me wonder how regional brands compare to familiar U.S. options like store-brand versus premium butters.
Eggs and Poultry
The rotisserie chickens at the UK Costco were noticeably smaller than those in U.S. stores. Their raw meat displays also looked very fresh, and they even sold whole ducks—an option I don’t see as often at home.
Charcuterie and Olives
I loved the small salami sticks and the variety of olives available—both well stocked and appealing.
Produce and Specialty Items
Beverages and Pantry Staples
There were large bulk options like 55 lb bags of sugar and 35 lb bags of flour. At the time, 55 lb of sugar converted to about $22 USD and 35 lb of flour to roughly $19.56 USD. Those quantities suit families or home bakers, though I personally don’t buy such large amounts anymore.
Clothing and Household Items
Clothing deals were excellent—my husband bought two linen shirts, and other items like straight-fit pants were attractively priced.
Batteries stood out as an especially good deal: 48 for about $12.93 USD felt like a bargain.
Food Court and Appliances
The food court offered familiar favorites at local prices: hot dogs and a drink for about 1.50 (GBP) and pizza for 9.99 (GBP). Appliances like washers, dryers, and refrigerators were generally smaller than typical U.S. models—something I liked, as they fit smaller homes and kitchens.
Garden and Plants
Costco also carried a wide selection of plants. I was impressed by the grape vine bases and the options for olives.
A small 3-liter olive tree was priced at 19.99 (GBP), while massive 250-liter olive trees were available for around 299 (GBP)—quite the range for gardeners and landscapers.
Overall, shopping at Costco in the UK was a fun and informative experience—familiar in layout but full of regional differences and interesting finds.
~Mavis