Costco price endings: what .97 and the asterisk mean
What shoppers and reporters say Costco's .99, .97, .88/.00 price endings and the asterisk on signs mean, what Costco has said on the record, and what the codes don't tell you.
If you've seen a Costco sign ending in .97 or with a tiny asterisk in the corner, you've probably heard they're "secret codes." There's some truth to it, but Costco doesn't publish an official guide, so it's worth being clear about what's known and what's shopper lore.
What Costco has said on the record
In a Reuters report, Costco's then-CFO Richard Galanti confirmed the codes exist, but said they're "more for efficiency, for the employees" and "not any sort of secret agent stuff." In other words, the endings help staff manage stock. They aren't a promise to shoppers.
The common price endings
These are the meanings most often reported by shoppers, employees and outlets like Business Insider, Real Simple and Food & Wine:
- .99: regular price.
- .97: a markdown or clearance price, often reported as a local or manager decision. It can vary by warehouse.
- .88 or .00: reported as manager markdowns, for example on returns, open items or stock the warehouse wants to move.
Practices can vary by warehouse and change over time, so use these as hints. A .97 price isn't automatically the lowest price an item will reach.
What the asterisk means
Some signs have a small asterisk (*) in the upper right corner. Shoppers online call it the "star of death." A Costco employee told Business Insider that staff just call it "pending delete," a status meaning the item isn't expected to be reordered.
That doesn't always mean a discount. Real Simple notes it also shows up on seasonal items and on products getting a packaging or SKU change. If you love the item, it's a sign to stock up or ask a staff member about it.
Is a .97 a price error?
No. A .97 ending is an intentional markdown, not a mistake, so we don't call these glitches. If you want true pricing mistakes, read what is a price error.
Similar codes at other stores
Other warehouse and big-box stores use their own price endings. See our guides to Home Depot clearance price endings, Walmart hidden clearance and Target's markdown schedule, plus the best clearance deals online.
Want a cheaper way to stock up on bulk staples without a membership? You can compare against current Amazon deals before you buy.
Quick answers
Does a Costco price ending in .97 always mean clearance?
Not always. Shoppers and outlets like Business Insider and Real Simple report that .97 usually signals a markdown or clearance price, but Costco does not publish an official price-code guide. Treat it as a hint, not a rule.
What does the asterisk on a Costco sign mean?
A Costco employee told Business Insider the asterisk means the item is "pending delete," meaning it is not expected to be reordered. It doesn't necessarily mean the price is marked down.
Has Costco confirmed the price codes?
A former Costco CFO, Richard Galanti, told Reuters the codes exist but are mostly for employee efficiency, not a secret system for shoppers.