NEED TO KNOW
- Researchers say Costco trips grow longer when samples include anything on a toothpick.
- Families report returning shoppers forget the cranberry sauce but buy a kayak.
- Experts warn carts get heavier as shoppers lose the ability to remember why they came.
A new national study found that most Thanksgiving dinners begin with a confident family member saying they will run to Costco very fast. Researchers said the plan always sounds simple, yet it turns into a long journey filled with oversized carts, large holiday displays, and samples that cause long delays. They also noted that returning shoppers often bring back items no one asked for.
Scientists said the average Costco Thanksgiving run lasts three hours. They explained that people wander through aisles, stare at bulk products, and slowly forget the original reason they left the house. They added that shoppers often return with batteries, a ladder, and a forty pack of muffins, while the family waits for a missing ingredient needed to cook the food.
The Costco Time Warp
The study found that time moves in a strange way inside the store. Researchers said customers enter with energy, yet soon become lost near the snack aisle. They pointed out that sample stations slow the flow of traffic, since people pause for free meatballs and then try to look casual. Many participants said they planned to stay focused, however they still drifted into sections that sold televisions and patio furniture.
Experts said Costco carts add weight quickly. They noted that shoppers toss in holiday decorations, giant pies, and a family sized pumpkin spice loaf. They explained that no one knows how these items appear in the cart, but everyone agrees the total cost always surprises them at checkout. They said people accept the total anyway because the receipt feels like a badge of honor.
Thanksgiving Starts In The Parking Lot
The study revealed that the Costco parking lot creates its own chaos. Researchers said drivers circle the area for a long time, hoping to find a space near the entrance. They observed that arguments begin in cars before dinner even starts. They also said shoppers must navigate long lines, loud conversations, and carts blocking the lanes as if placed with purpose.
Even so, families said they will keep returning to Costco every Thanksgiving. They said the routine feels traditional and gives people something to complain about together. They admitted the cranberry sauce may still be missing, but the giant pie will distract everyone. They also agreed that dinner tastes better when the story includes a long retail adventure.
Thanksgiving is about gratitude, family, and pretending Costco did not break your spirit
Harold Pike, National Cart Safety Council
