Costco is adding two new delivery partners at once. The warehouse club said Thursday it is teaming up with DoorDash to bring delivery from its U.S. stores, while Uber Eats separately announced Tuesday that it is expanding Costco delivery nationwide.
The deals mark a shift for both apps, which have spent recent years chasing grocery chains as shoppers move online. Costco already offered delivery through Instacart for nearly a decade, but the new partnerships put DoorDash and Uber Eats directly on the same shelf.
DoorDash’s Nationwide Push
DoorDash is making Costco a priority in the U.S. The San Francisco-based company said Costco was among the most-searched retailers not yet on its U.S. platform. Now DoorDash will deliver groceries, household items and electronics from all of Costco’s U.S. stores.
Delivery will be limited to Costco members, who can link their membership information to their DoorDash account. That means non-members won’t be able to order, which could reduce the pool of potential customers.
Uber Eats Goes National
Uber Eats took a different path. Its deal with Costco was announced in 2024, but the agreement only covered 17 states. On Tuesday, the company said it is expanding delivery to all U.S. Costco locations.
The national rollout means Costco members in every state now have at least one app option.
The Numbers Behind Costco
Costco operates 81 million members worldwide, according to the company. Most are in the U.S., where the Issaquah, Washington-based company has 639 stores across 47 states.
That scale matters for both delivery apps. Costco’s membership model means repeat customers are already logged in, which cuts friction for orders. The national footprint also gives DoorDash and Uber Eats a dense network of stores to serve.
What Costco Gets From Both Deals
Costco benefits from competition between the two apps. With both DoorDash and Uber Eats now covering the same stores, the retailer gets two separate marketing channels and two separate delivery networks.
The arrangement also extends Costco’s global reach. DoorDash and Uber Eats both provide international Costco delivery, which means the club can offer delivery in more countries.
Kroger’s Familiar Pattern
DoorDash and Uber Eats have been expanding their U.S. grocery offerings in recent years. Last fall, both companies announced partnerships with Kroger, the nation’s largest supermarket chain.
Why Costco Chose Two Apps
Costco did not say why it picked both DoorDash and Uber Eats. The company’s statement focused on the DoorDash partnership, but the timing suggests overlap rather than conflict.
Both apps were already delivering Costco internationally. The U.S. expansion puts both companies in direct competition on American soil.
The App Market Is Getting Crowded
The deals arrive as the delivery market grows crowded. Instacart has been involved with Costco’s delivery operations for nearly a decade. That raises the question of whether consumers will choose an app or stick with one.
For Costco, the answer is simple — give them both. The club’s members can now order through DoorDash, Uber Eats or Instacart, depending on what they want and where they live.
What This Means for Shoppers
Shoppers who want Costco delivered now have more options. DoorDash and Uber Eats will compete on price, speed and availability, which should push both companies to improve their services.
The catch is the membership requirement. Non-members cannot order through either app, which limits the pool of potential customers.
Key Facts Box
- DoorDash: Nationwide delivery from all U.S. Costco stores, available only to Costco members
- Uber Eats: Nationwide expansion announced Tuesday, with existing international delivery
- Instacart: Long-standing involvement with Costco’s delivery operations, operating for nearly a decade
- Kroger: Partnered with both DoorDash and Uber Eats last fall
- Costco: 81 million members worldwide, 639 U.S. stores in 47 states
The announcement is routine corporate news, not a surprise. Costco wanted more delivery options, DoorDash and Uber Eats wanted more stores, and the deal got done. The market is getting crowded, and the clubs are picking winners.
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