Shoppers notice it immediately. Longer lines at checkout. Aisles jammed with carts. Parking lots that fill up fast. Data confirms the impression. Visits to Costco warehouses have jumped 18.1% between the first quarters of 2019 and 2026. Yahoo Finance reported the surge. The increase stems from more than simple population growth. Value draws people in. And they stay loyal. Gas prices tell part of the story. Members save about 34 cents per gallon at Costco pumps compared with local averages. That adds up quickly for households filling multiple vehicles. Groceries deliver even bigger relief. Costco prices run roughly 21% below the national average according to Consumer Reports data cited in the same report. Families stretch budgets further here. They buy in bulk. They return often. But higher membership fees have not slowed the rush. In September 2024 Costco raised annual charges. Gold Star memberships moved from $60 to $65. Executive tiers rose from $120 to $130. The adjustment hit about 52 million accounts.…