Star Wars at Costco!

Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, the 7th movie in the Star Wars saga arrives in theaters this week on Thursday evening. Until then, bust out your inner Star Wars fan and check out all of the Star Wars merchandise you can pick up at Costco.

MOVIES
First and foremost, the Star Wars movies are a must have. Relive the epic saga from the beginning or introduce a new generation to the awesomeness that is Star Wars.

You can pick up the six movies individually on Blu-ray Limited Edition Steelbook for $14.99 each and save 40% off the retail price.

You can also get the Blu-ray + DVD set of The Original Trilogy (Episode IV: A New Hope, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Episode VI: Return of the Jedi),

or the Blu-ray + DVD set of The Prequel Episodes (I: The Phantom Menace, II: Attack of the Clones, III: Revenge of the Sith) for only $39.99 at Costco - that's a 33% savings off the retail price.

Or go for broke and score all six movies on Blu-ray with the Star Wars The Complete Saga bundle for 36% off the retail price at Costco.

Costco also has the highly popular Star Wars: The Clone Wars CGI animated TV series in a collectors edition DVD set of seasons 1-5 for a whopping 46% off the retail price!

TOYS & CRAFTS

If you have been to any store within the last year you have probably noticed that there is no shortage of Star Wars merchandise around, particularly in the toy departments and the same can be said about Costco's toy section too. 

Star Wars LEGO sets are a huge hit and at Costco you can get the Star Wars Tie Fighter set for 20% off the retail price!

Costco also carries a super 3-in-1 pack of Star Wars LEGO microfighters. Choose from two different sets at 20% off the retail price.

The LEGO Star Wars: Battle for the Stolen Crystals Brickmaster includes 2 minifigures and 180 bricks to build models as you read through the four part story.

The LEGO Star Wars Book and Headlamp Gift Set includes 3 books retelling the original trilogy and a posable LEGO Star Wars LED mini figure headlamp w/ headband. Appropriate for ages 6+. The Costco price of $19.99 is 45% off the retail price.

These squeezable 15" Talking Star Wars Plush characters are an amazing 45% off the retail price at Costco! Choose from R2D2, Yoda and Chewbacca. (Darth Vader is not available through Costco.)

Save 30% off the retail price on the Air Hogs Remote Control Star Wars  X-Wing Fighter.

Kids and super fans a like will get a thrill out of playing with Kylo Ren's Lightsaber and you'll save 28% off the retail price when you buy it at Costco.

Get your game on with the latest Star Wars video game: Star Wars Battlefront, available on PS4 and Xbox One. Save 17% off the retail price at Costco - available in warehouse and online.

Save 15% off the Disney Infinity 3.0 Star Wars Starter pack at Costco. Each set includes 2 Star Wars character figures and the Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition Video game. Choose whichever one is compatible with your game console: Wii, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One.

Save over 60% off the retail price on this Hasbro Mashers Star Wars Hero Mashers 5-pack. The set includes 5 action figures and several accessories. For ages 4 years and older.

For the crafty Star Wars fan check out this Star Wars Crochet Kit. It has everything you need to make Yoda and a Storm Trooper crochet figure and patterns & directions to make 10 other projects.

These M&M Star Wars Flash Light Key Chains make perfect stocking stuffers! Each tray contains 12 flash light key chains in 1 of 3 different characters: Yellow M&M is Darth Vader, Red M&M is  Darth Maul and Orange M&M is a clone trooper. Each comes with a fun size bag of M&Ms chocolate candies. Available on costco.com.

BOOKS

The latest series of Star Wars book, Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens, bring Star Wars to life for a new generation with stories that take place between the events in A New Nope and The Empire Strikes Back. Each of the 3 books focuses on a different character: Moving Target is a Princess Leia adventure, The Weapon of a Jedi is a Luke Skywalker adventure and Smuggler's Run is a Han Solo & Chewbacca adventure. These books are geared towards 10-14 year olds but can also be enjoyed by older Star Wars fans as the stories include hints and clues about the upcoming 7th film: The Force Awakens. At 42% off the cover price these books are a great Costco find.

Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary, from DK Publishing is the ultimate guide to the characters and creatures throughout the Star Wars saga. For only $21.99 at Costco you're saving 45% off the cover price.

Part of the Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens book series, Lost Stars is a young adult novel geared towards 12-18 year olds. The thrilling adventure focusses on major events through the eyes of two childhood friends who grow up to find themselves on opposites of the war- one becoming an Imperial Officer and the other a Rebel Pilot. Like the other Journey to Star Wars books Lost Stars includes hints and clues about the upcoming 7th film. Lost Stars is 44% off the cover price at Costco.

The beautifully illustrated Star Wars The Original Trilogy Stories is a storybook aimed at 3-5 year olds. The Costco price of $9.99 is 41% off the cover price.

Acclaimed New York Times best-selling author Tom Angleberger provides a unique perspective and narrative style in retelling of Return of the Jedi in Star Wars Return of the Jedi: Beware The Power of the Dark Side that will enthrall todays young readers and enhance Star Wars for core fans of the saga.

Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back: So You Want to Be a Jedi? written by acclaimed New York Times best-selling author Adam Gidwitz captivatingly retells the story of The Empire Strikes Back for a new generation.

Written by acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Alexandra Braken, Star Wars: A New Hope The Princess, the Scoundrel, and the Farm Boy takes a deeper look into the three heroes (Princess Leia, Han Solo and Luke Skywalker) as they join forces to defeat evil.

All three books are geared towards 10-12 year olds and are available at Costco for 44% off the cover price.

DK Publishings Star Wars Ultimate Library box set is a collection of 20 books in 3 different reading levels (levels 1-3) for those just learning to read. 

For the youngest of Star Wars fans, (appropriate for ages 2-5), Little Golden Books has a 3-book set retelling the Original Trilogy. The Costco price of $8.99 is 40% off the cover price.

For more than just a book pick up a Star Wars Storytime Tin. Each tin includes a storybook, coloring and activity book with stickers, a poster, a picture frame and a code to redeem an eBook - all for just $12.99! For ages 3 and up.

The Star Wars Deluxe Book Gift Set includes 3 story books focusing on the original trilogy, a light saber projector, 6 picture disks for a total of 24 images and 30 stickers. Use the picture disks in the lightsaber projector to project scenes from the movies!

From the editors of Brain Quest, make math more fun with Star Wars Workbooks! Preschool Number Fun includes 10 Star Wars finger puppets and the Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade workbooks align with the National Common Core Standards (for better or for worse).

APPAREL & DECOR

Costco has a variety of cute Star Wars apparel for kids like this Sherpa Lined Darth Vader Hoodie.

This Plush Star Wars Robe.

And this Star Wars Pajama Set.

Check your local Costco warehouse for even more Star Wars kids apparel!

Kids will want to have sleep overs every night with this cozy Star Wars Slumber Bag w/ Matching Pillow.

Stay cozy this winter with this Plush Star Wars Throw blanket.

Jazz up the bedroom or the play room with this fluffy Star Wars Kid Sized Body Pillow.

Decorate any room with these removable Star Wars Wall Decals and Star Wars Character Area Rug. 

OTHER

Since Disney acquired Lucasfilm in late 2012 the limits of Star Wars merchandise knows no bounds. In addition to Movies, Toys, Books, Apparel & Decor you can also get luggage, computers and even vitamins. (Yes seriously!)

Travel in Star Wars style with an American Tourister Star Wars 21" Carry-on Luggage. Each case has spinner wheels, a push button locking handle, Star Wars branded zipper pulls and a Star Wars branded ID Tag. Choose from R2D2, Kylo Ren, or a Storm Trooper. At only $99.99 on costco.com they are 30% off!

HP Computers has even jumped on the Star Wars bandwagon! Check out the HP Pavilion Star Wars Special Edition Laptops on costco.com.

And don't forget to get a matching protective neoprene Star Wars Laptop Sleeve!

And last but not least, Star Wars Gummy Multi-Vitamins! 

Oh and in case you missed it, check out the digital edition of the October 2015 issue of The Costco Connection for a great article on the ever expanding universe of Star Wars.

May the Force be with you all!

Until next time,

the Costco Connoisseur

#GoingToAllTheCostcos

P.S. - Selections and prices listed above will vary from different Costco locations.

P.P.S. Don't miss out on the latest roadshows and other Costco deals I spot in between blog posts- use the links below to follow me on Twitter and Instagram, and like my new page on Facebook!

Follow me on Twitter! @CostcoConoiseur

Follow me on Instagram! @theCostcoConnoisseur

Like my page on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Costco-Connoisseur/

A Tale of Two Sweaters: Costco vs. Nordstrom

Last weekend my friend Christyna brought to my attention that there is an asymmetrical fleece wrap on Costco.com that looks identical to an asymmetrical fleece wrap on Nordstrom.com. 

Screen shots from the Nordstrom app (left) and the Costco app (right).

Christyna and I both already own several of the wraps from Nordstrom that we adore, but the possibility of finding an identical wrap for 60% off the retail price had us jumping for joy. Intrigued at the possibility, I immediately purchased one from Costco and one from Nordstrom in similar colors to do a side by side comparison. Below are my findings.

The Differences

The Nordstrom "sweater" is made by a brand called Bobeau and the regular price is $58.00.

The Costco "sweater" is made by a brand called Joseph A. and the regular price is $22.99.

The Nordstrom one is made in Mexico while the Costco one is made in China.

The color of the Nordstrom one is called "Heather Dark Storm" while the color of the Costco one is called "Blue Heather."

Both colors are nearly identical but upon close inspection the color of the Bobeau wrap from Nordstrom is slightly more uniform than the Joseph A. wrap from Costco.

According to my measurements the Nordstrom wrap is 28.5" long down the back while the Costco wrap is 30" long down the back.

The Bobeau wrap from Nordstrom is made from a single piece of cloth plus additional for the arms, while the Joseph A. from Costco is sewn together from three pieces of cloth plus additional for the arms.

The stitching on both garments appear quite similar however upon closer inspection the bottom hem is slightly larger on the Bobeau wrap from Nordstrom, but the stitching is tighter on the Joseph A. wrap from Costco.

The hems on the Joseph A. from Costco all lay flat, but some of the hems on the Bobeau from Nordstrom roll up.

The Nordstrom wrap is available in petite, regular, and plus sizes however, the plus size costs an additional $10.

The Costco wrap comes in sizes small through 3X and plus sizes cost the same.

The Bobeau wrap on Nordstorm.com comes in 13 different colors plus stripped and ribbed versions.

The Joseph A. wrap on Costco.com is only available in 4 "heathered" colors (Black Heather, Purple Heather, Blue Heather and Olive Heather).

The Similarities

Both "sweaters" are asymmetrical, one-button, fleece lined wraps.

Both are made of a heathered fabric and are a grayish blue color.

Both have a single, large wooden button.

Both are comprised of 63% polyester, 33% rayon and 4% spandex.

Both tags indicate they should be washed in cold water and to use a cool iron as/if needed.

Both have super soft, brushed fleece on the inside.

And the buttons are identical.

The Verdict

While it appears the differences listed above out weigh the similarities, the fact is both sweaters fit exactly the same, both have the exact same softness & subtle stretchiness to them, and both wraps look great worn buttoned or left open. 

Screen shots from the Nordstrom app (left) and the Costco app (right).

Screen shots from the Nordstrom app (left) and the Costco app (right).

Screen shots from the Nordstrom app.

The Bobeau wrap from Nordstrom may be marked down to $39.90, but now through 24 Dec the Joseph A. wrap at Costco is $4 off so you'll only pay $18.99, that makes the Joseph A. 52% CHEAPER than the Bobeau!

In my opinion the slight variations in color and stitching are not enough to justify paying the premium Nordstrom price. If you're looking for a cozy, modern and flattering open cardigan, I highly recommend the Joseph A. One-Button Fleece Wrap Cardigan from Costco.

If you get one, leave me a comment to let me know what you think!

Until next time,

the Costco Connoisseur

#GoingToAllTheCostcos

P.S. - Selections and prices listed above will vary from different Costco locations.

P.P.S. Don't miss out on the latest roadshows and other Costco deals I spot in between blog posts- use the links below to follow me on Twitter and Instagram, and like my new page on Facebook!

Follow me on Twitter! @CostcoConoiseur

Follow me on Instagram! @theCostcoConnoisseur

Like my page on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Costco-Connoisseur/

Stan Lee in the December Issue of Costco Connection!

Check out the December issue of The Costco Connection for an exclusive interview with comic book legend Stan Lee!

Pick up a copy in your local Costco warehouse or check out the digital edition online at costcoconnection.com.

You can also pick up Stan Lee's new memoir, Amazing Fantastic Incredible: A Marvelous Memoir, at Costco for 45% off the cover price.

Costco is also carrying two fantastic coffee table books for Marvel fans. The Marvel Encyclopedia (updated and expanded edition) and Marvel's The Avengers Encyclopedia are both 38% off the cover price!

Until next time,

the Costco Connoisseur

#GoingToAllTheCostcos

P.S. - Selections and prices listed above will vary from different Costco locations.

P.P.S. Don't miss out on the latest roadshows and other Costco deals I spot in between blog posts- use the links below to follow me on Twitter and Instagram, and like my new page on Facebook!

Follow me on Twitter! @CostcoConoiseur

Follow me on Instagram! @theCostcoConnoisseur

Like my page on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Costco-Connoisseur/