The issue of wholesale store accessibility for regular shoppers in Calgary is quite relevant for many city residents, especially those looking to save money on groceries and household goods. There are several types of wholesale stores in Calgary with varying levels of accessibility for regular consumers.

Stores with mandatory membership

Costco remains the most popular wholesale store in Calgary, but requires mandatory membership. To shop at Costco, you must purchase an annual membership, which ranges from $65 for a basic Gold Star membership to $130 for an Executive membership. Membership includes a card for the primary cardholder and one additional card for a household member over the age of 16 who lives at the same address. To sign up for membership, you must present a Canadian federal or provincial government-issued ID. There are several Costco locations in Calgary, including a store at Heritage Gate SE.

Costco offers a wide variety of products in bulk at discounted prices, including food, electronics, clothing, and household goods. Executive membership provides additional benefits such as 2% cash back on eligible purchases up to $1,250 per year and exclusive shopping hours.

Stores without membership

Real Canadian Wholesale Club is the most accessible wholesale store for regular shoppers in Calgary, as it does not require mandatory membership. The store is located at 222 58th Avenue SE and operates as a cash-and-carry self-service store.

This store is described as a combination of Superstore and Costco, but with free access for all shoppers. Wholesale Club is owned by Loblaws and is primarily focused on small businesses and restaurants, but also serves regular consumers. The store offers wholesale products at competitive prices, including frozen foods, meat, dairy products, baked goods, and restaurant supplies.

Although membership is not required, Wholesale Club offers a free membership program that provides additional discounts but is primarily intended for businesses. Regular shoppers can shop without any membership, although they may not receive all the discounts available to members.

Calgary Wholesale Cash & Carry is another option for wholesale shopping. This store positions itself as a leading distributor and wholesaler of restaurant equipment, cleaning supplies, food packaging, produce, dairy, and frozen foods. The store serves over 1,000 customers daily through a cash and carry system, delivery, or redistribution program.

Specialized wholesale stores

Uncle Wiener's Wholesale is located in Calgary at #280 – 10 Stonehill Pl NE and is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. This store specializes in quality products at unbeatable prices and is open to the general public. Founded in 2017 in Nisko, Alberta, Uncle Wiener's Wholesale has quickly become a leading supplier of quality products. The company operates on a direct cooperation basis with manufacturers and strategic buyouts of excess inventory, allowing it to offer great deals on a wide range of products.

Bulk Barn has several locations in Calgary and specializes in selling wholesale products without the need for membership. It is Canada's largest bulk retailer, offering over 4,000 products, from baking ingredients to candy and snacks. Bulk Barn stores allow shoppers to buy the exact amount they need, making them attractive to those who want to avoid the large packages of traditional wholesale stores.

Alternative wholesale shopping options

Several regular grocery stores in Calgary offer bulk sections or options to purchase in larger quantities. Community Natural Foods has three locations in Calgary and offers over 250 bulk items, including the city's largest selection of medicinal herbs, alternative sweeteners, flours, and keto/paleo baking mixes. The store has also offered a “bring your own container” program since 1977, allowing customers to bring their own clean bags and containers to fill with any bulk items.

Blush Lane Organic Market has several locations in Calgary and also offers wholesale sections, although these have been temporarily converted to pre-packaged goods due to the pandemic. Sunnyside Natural Market in the Kensington neighborhood also offers wholesale foods and spices.

Some regular grocery stores, such as Save-On Foods, have wholesale sections at select locations. Specifically, Save-On Foods in Trinity Hills and the University District have traditional wholesale bins where shoppers can select items by the gram.

Features and limitations

It is important to understand that many wholesale stores in Calgary cater primarily to business customers, restaurants, and large families. Items are often sold in much larger packages than in regular grocery stores, which can lead to food waste for small households.

Prices at wholesale stores are not always the lowest on the market, especially when converted to a per-unit price based on weight or volume. Some regular grocery stores may offer better prices on certain items, especially during sales.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the operations of many wholesale sections, forcing stores to switch to pre-packaged goods for safety reasons. While some stores have reopened their wholesale sections, others remain closed or are operating with restrictions.

Wholesale stores in Calgary represent a diverse segment of the retail industry that can be useful for different types of shoppers. From membership-only stores such as Costco to completely open options such as Real Canadian Wholesale Club, Calgary residents have access to a wide range of wholesale shopping options. The choice of a particular store depends on individual needs, household size, budget, and willingness to pay for membership.