There was a massive, barely noticed update to the Costco mobile app. And get this, it finally lets you search the inventory at Costco stores, right from your smartphone.
This is huge news as it can save countless trips to stores searching for bottles. And other items too. And it works really well.
Let's take a look at an example.
Here's a screenshot of the new app, and you can see a tab at the bottom labeled "Warehouse." That will bring you to the page pictured above with the details of your chosen warehouse. This is also where you can choose to switch your store location and it will show stores nearby to select from.
When you hit the Search Warehouse Inventory button you will see the screen above. Simply type in you're looking for and hit Search. For this example, we will search for "Barolo."
Here are the results, and as you can see we have a nice selection of Barolo in stock at the Perimeter store in Atlanta (might have to make a trip). Top of the list is the Kirkland Barolo, which is nice to know is still in stock here.
When an item is running low the app will indicate that as well.
This is going to be amazing for so many readers looking to find wines in the stores around them. Previously we recommended calling stores or chatting online at Costco.com using the item number.
But now it's just a few clicks away. This doesn't seem to be available on the website yet, so mobile only for now.
Cheers
Editor
Quick update as we play with this a bit more.
A search for just “wine” does a good job of bringing up what appears to be the entire store’s wine selection.
NEW UPDATE: a search for "750" seems to also do a great job of bringing up the entire selection at the store as well.
And a search for “Kirkland wine” presents a good list of just the Kirkland Signature wines in each store.
Also, as mentioned in the comments, it would be great if you could see the vintage. But since Costco doesn’t have different item numbers for different vintages, and often puts multiple vintages in the same bin, we’re not sure if we’ll ever get to see that.
Matt says
Gamechanger!
Xiaolin says
Search using abbr as well. For french wine, try both FR and France.
Joe Roberts says
Very nice !! Thanks for the tip....... one slight quibble--- it doesn't show vintages.This may be by design, since occasionally you see mixed vintages in the bin. My other thought is that this is a "beta" product so maybe they will include vintages if we give feedback.
Editor says
Agree. Vintages would be a nice addition. Hope we see that in the future.
Martin says
I guess it is a closed beta for certain client segment. I don’t have this yet on my app.
Carol says
Wow! Thanks for this great tip! I live 3 hours away from our Costco so I usually call with an item number to check stock! This is so much easier.
Martin says
I stand corrected. The app did something (took some time to
Load after I closed it) and I see it now.
Pam says
Thought this was great news (not that we have much selection breadth here in our Phoenix wine wasteland). However a "wine" search of our local Costco warehouse yielded nearly ALL red wine, save 2 pinot grigio's, and 1 rose (plus a kirkland cheese). 🙁
As a frequent shopper, I know this doesn't represent what they have in stock. So I'd say their "Beta" warehouse tool needs some work.
Joe Roberts says
@Pam, I spend a couple months of each year in the Phoenix area and the closest Costco to me is in north Scottsdale and they have a tremendous selection of wines----much more than I ever see in my home Costco. I have been told that Scottsdale has the highest revenue of liquor sales of any
Costco store in its system==== of course per Arizona law hard liquor is included. Phoenix area is hardly a "wasteland:---- consider yourself lucky !!
Zinfandelover says
Thanks for the tip! I always look forward to you posts, and this was a nice bonus!
Karin says
Isnt working in NC
Karin says
I could not get it to work on my iPad but worked perfectly on my phone. So it does work in NC.
Bodie says
Sadly, I tried the search function for stores in my area yesterday. Two said "low stock" for a particular wine. Neither had it 🙁 I checked again today and the app still lists them both as "low stock." I wonder how often the inventory is updated?
Ken says
It still does not work in New Jersey.
Eric says
@Ken, I'm NJ and it worked for me. I did have to update the app first. Of course we have that silly state law where only 2 stores (of a corporate owner) can have liquor licenses. Try Edison, NJ. I know they are one of the 2.
Bob says
For those of you who are having problems using the search for wine, it didn't work until I logged into my account after downloading the app.
Patrick ORourke says
I believe this feature is a Beta test feature, as I tried this morning in northern Virginia and it isn’t available yet here.
J says
Thank You, this will save us looking for wines from the blog that rarely appear in our stores.
Oscar says
The app does not work as described here. I just downloaded, and searched for "wine." Everything from stemware, wine cellers to vertical tasting kit vame up. Very little actual wine resulted from the search. I also did searches for specific variatels (zinfandel, barolo), but no result resulted.
russ says
my app does show me this in Perimeter....sadly, New England stores don't have this feature....
Mary says
How can i search for stores in NJ that sell kirkland wines? I live in 'NY and sadly the stores does sell liquor/wines in the warehouses
Dave says
Awesome tip! Thank you.
Eva says
This is very exciting, though definitely needs some work. I first searched "Barolo" and the Kirkland Barolo came up. I then searched "Kirkland Wine" and the Kirkland Barolo did not show up in that list!
Lu Plauzoles says
We in WestLA can only hope the local wine buyers put the inventory online.. Right now it's just the big ticket offers...anyone for the $38K vertical Chateau Latour 30 bottle offer? Or the Margaux 6 pack at $4,500? Also listed are wine baskets and a few glasses.
Daniel says
Wow, that is a game changer. I just picked up two very intriguing wines that I cannot find any professional reviews for, but their list prices elsewhere seem much higher. Search and see if you can find them.
1) Altos Las Hormigas Appellation Paraje Altamira Malbec 2020 (1839647) $29.99
2) Lithic Hill Zinfandel Sonoma Valley 2019 (1708106) $25.99 - $12 promo discount
Purchased in San Francisco (#144)
I see list prices around $50 for both of these online. I guess I have to open one now to start testing.
Let's see if I can find some more Chateau Grand Tayac 2019 anywhere around since it had the Death Star already. Superb!
Sis Blk says
Wanna know if they still have any of the following wine or they do custom orders; Bodegas Ego Infinito Monastrell Jumilla 750ML?
*from philly with love