Tech Insider
Insider correspondent Talia Lakritz outside Costco in Iceland.
I visited Costco in Garðabær, Iceland, about 6 miles south of Reykjavík.

Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

  • I visited Iceland's only Costco store, which is in Garðabær, about 6 miles south of Reykjavík.
  • It looked exactly the same as US Costco stores I've been to, aside from Icelandic signs.
  • The food court offered fewer items and prices were slightly higher than in the US.

A $60 annual Costco membership is valid at all 904 warehouse locations worldwide, including Canada, China, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, and the UK.

So, armed with my membership card while on a trip to Iceland in 2023, I visited the country's only Costco store.

Like the US, Iceland — one of the most expensive countries in the world — is experiencing rising costs of living, so bulk buying at places like Costco is a popular option for locals and visitors.

During my visit to its Costco in Garðabær, I found items that I've never seen at US locations, but I was mostly surprised to find how similar it was to American stores.

Here's what my shopping experience was like.

Iceland's first and only Costco store opened in 2017.
Costco in Iceland.
Costco in Iceland.

Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

The store is located in Garðabær, about 6 miles south of Reykjavík.

When I walked inside, I felt transported right back to my local New York City Costco store. The layout was exactly the same.
Aisles at Costco in Iceland.
Costco in Iceland.

Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

The first section near the entrance sold pieces of technology like tablets and laptops, just like my local New York Costco. I could also spot the grocery section and aisle of household items further into the store, exactly where I'm used to finding them. With its familiar layout and identical design, I wouldn't have known I was in Iceland.

The only indication that I was in Iceland was the Icelandic signs for different sections of the store.
The pharmacy at Costco in Iceland.
The pharmacy at Costco in Iceland.

Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

I was able to guess that "apótek" meant "pharmacy" based on the protein powder and vitamins in the aisles, as well what looked like a counter to pick up prescriptions.

The food court, located near the checkout counters, was smaller than those I've seen at Costco stores on the East Coast, but it sold many of the same items.
People waiting in line at the food court at Costco in Iceland
Costco in Garðabær, Iceland.

Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

The food court didn't have smoothies, salads, or churros — items I'm used to seeing at US stores — but it did sell pizza, gelato, burgers, chicken bakes, coffee, and hot dogs.

The food-court prices in Iceland were a bit higher than in the US.
Pizza at the food court at Costco in Iceland.
Costco in Garðabær, Iceland.

Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

In 2023, pizza cost 600 ISK, or $4.44, per slice and 2,200 ISK, or $16.27, for a whole take-home pie. Hot dogs, a popular street food in Iceland, cost 299 ISK, or $2.20.

In the US, a slice of pizza at Costco costs $1.99 while a whole pie is $9.95, and hot dogs cost $1.50.

The main difference I noticed was the addition of an orange-flavored Icelandic soda called Egils Appelsin on the soda fountains.
Soda fountains at Costco in Iceland.
A soda fountain at Costco in Iceland featured an orange-flavored Icelandic soda called Egils Appelsin.

Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

Produced by Iceland's Skallagrímsson Brewery since 1955, Egils Appelsin is often served at festive occasions and holidays like Christmas. It's a beverage unique to Iceland, one that I've never seen at my Costco stores on the East Coast of the US.

Warm clothes like sweaters, which are still necessary during Iceland's summer months, were on full display when I visited in June.
Clothes at Costco in Iceland.
Costco in Iceland.

Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

During the summer, Fahrenheit temperatures in Iceland usually hover around the 50s, according to Icelandic travel agency Guide to Iceland.

The grocery section featured Costco's Kirkland-brand products and the same baked goods sold in stores worldwide, though the prices were a bit steeper.
Muffins at Costco in Iceland.
Muffins at Costco in Iceland.

Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

I recognized the same muffins, croissants, and cookies that I've eaten dozens of times.

Two packages of muffins cost 1,999 ISK, or about $15.12, during my 2024 visit. In the US, they cost $8.99.

I loved seeing whimsical cakes with "Happy birthday" written in Icelandic.
A Costco birthday cake in Iceland.
A Costco birthday cake in Iceland.

Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

This dinosaur cake cost 2,499 ISK, or about $18.70.

Costco samples appeared to be a standard practice, as well.
A greek yogurt sample at Costco in Iceland.
Costco in Iceland.

Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

The Icelandic Costco was giving out samples of Greek yogurt and small bites of vegan pizza.

I did spot some unique Icelandic items, like these Vikingr dried fish fillets, called hardfiskur.
Dried fish fillets at Costco in Iceland.
Dried fish fillets at Costco in Iceland.

Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

The dried and flattened fish fillets, usually made with cod, haddock, or wolffish, have been a staple of the Icelandic diet for centuries, according to Atlas Obscura.

I was also surprised to find numerous British products for sale.
Marmite at Costco in Iceland.
Marmite at Costco in Iceland.

Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

Iceland's Costco is operated by Costco UK — and it's only a quick three-hour flight from London — so it made sense that it stocked British favorites like Marmite, Cadbury chocolate, and Victoria sandwiches.

The toilet paper cost slightly less at the Costco in Iceland than in the US.
Toilet paper at Costco in Iceland.
Toilet paper at Costco in Iceland.

Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

In Iceland, 40 rolls of Kirkland toilet paper cost 4,099 ISK, or about $31.04, which comes out to about 78 cents per roll. In the US, a package of 30 rolls cost $23.99, or about 80 cents per roll, in 2023.

Aisles of sporting equipment featured kayaks, bicycles, and scooters.
Kayaks for sale at Costco in Iceland.
Kayaks for sale at Costco in Iceland.

Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

The Icelandic Costco also sold tents and camping gear, a popular way to see Iceland in the summer despite the chilly temperatures.

Like in the US, the store's optical section sold glasses and offered eye exams.
The optical section at Costco in Iceland.
The optical section at Costco in Iceland.

Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

"Sjóntæki" directly translates to "optical device," while "sjónmæling" means "optical measurement."

I found that Costco in Iceland was mostly identical to Costco stores I've visited in the US, aside from some higher prices and a few unique local items.
Talia Lakritz outside Costco in Iceland.
Outside Costco in Iceland.

Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

Having visited touristy spots like the Blue Lagoon and the Seljalandsfoss waterfall, I enjoyed getting a glimpse of everyday life in Iceland as I explored the aisles.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Travel, Business, Technology
Food, Travel, Lifestyle, Features, Costco, costco-store, costco-price, grocery-stores, grocery-shopping, cultural-differences, affinity-framing, iceland-trip-2023, Iceland
Source
I'm an American who visited Iceland's only Costco location. I was shocked by ho…