How to Categorize Products for Costco

Understanding Costco Product Categorization

Costco Wholesale is the world's third-largest retailer, operating over 800 warehouse clubs worldwide with nearly 130 million cardholding members. For suppliers and vendors, understanding Costco's unique taxonomy is essential for successful product placement and sales in this high-volume, member-focused retail environment.

Costco's taxonomy differs fundamentally from traditional retail. The company operates on a "treasure hunt" model with a curated selection of approximately 4,000 SKUs compared to 30,000+ at typical supermarkets. Categories are organized around bulk value, member needs, and the distinctive warehouse shopping experience. Products must demonstrate exceptional value and quality to earn shelf space.

The Costco model emphasizes large pack sizes, premium quality at wholesale prices, and product rotation that creates urgency. Our AI-powered categorization API understands these unique requirements and helps classify your products according to Costco's member-centric taxonomy structure.

Costco Taxonomy Structure

Costco organizes products into departments that reflect their warehouse layout and member shopping patterns, emphasizing value and bulk purchasing.

Popular Costco Categories

API Integration Guide

import requests

def categorize_for_costco(product_description, api_key):
    base_url = "https://www.productcategorization.com/api/ecommerce/ecommerce_category6_get.php"
    params = {
        "query": product_description,
        "api_key": api_key,
        "data_type": "google"
    }
    response = requests.get(base_url, params=params)
    return response.json()

# Example usage
result = categorize_for_costco(
    "Kirkland Signature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2L 2-Pack",
    "your_api_key_here"
)
print(f"Category: {result['category']}")