Brandwave

How popular isCostco?

In September 2026, people searched for Costco by name about 1.6 million times in the United States, a 7.6% decrease from the previous year. These searches made up 2.9% of all United States optical retail chain searches, placing Costco eighth out of eight chains. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about optical retail chains, Costco appeared in all answers and was the most recommended of the eight.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

Costco is the eighth most searched of 8 competitors and the most recommended in AI answers.

  1. LensCraftersShare of searches 26.8%Mentioned in 2 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
  2. America's Best Contacts & EyeglassesShare of searches 21.6%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
  3. Warby ParkerShare of searches 18%Mentioned in 2 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
  4. VisionworksShare of searches 12.1%Mentioned in 0 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
  5. CostcoShare of searches 2.9%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st

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Top optical retail chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions, Costco appeared in all three answers. Costco is the most recommended of the eight.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Costco1st
  2. America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses2nd
  3. Warby Parker3rd
  4. LensCrafters4th
  5. Walmart5th
  6. Pearle Vision6th
  7. Visionworks–
  8. Eyemart Express–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

See every answer about optical retail chains

3 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 22, 2026.

Which optical retail chains compete with Costco?

Costco against optical retail chains in the United States, by month

Share of searches by month for LensCrafters, America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, Warby Parker, Visionworks, Eyemart Express, Pearle Vision, Walmart, Costco. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthLensCraftersAmerica's Best Contacts & EyeglassesWarby ParkerVisionworksEyemart ExpressPearle VisionWalmartCostco
Oct 202524.9%24.6%16.7%13.7%5%7.5%5%2.7%
Nov 202529%22.7%16%13.1%4.8%7.1%4.8%2.6%
Dec 202527.6%22.4%18.6%12.4%4.5%6.8%4.5%3.1%
Jan 202625.6%24.5%17.3%14.1%5.2%6.3%4.2%2.8%
Feb 202624.9%24.6%16.7%13.7%5%7.5%5%2.7%
Mar 202626%24.9%17.6%11.7%5.2%6.4%5.2%2.9%
Apr 202624.9%23.8%16.7%13.7%5%7.5%5%3.4%
May 202626.2%24.5%17.6%11.8%5.3%6.4%5.3%2.9%
Jun 202627.3%21.4%18.4%12.3%5.5%6.7%5.5%3%
Jul 202625.7%24%17.3%11.6%6.3%6.3%5.2%3.5%
Aug 202624.3%23.3%16.4%13.4%6%7.3%6%3.3%
Sep 202626.8%21.6%18%12.1%6.6%6.6%5.4%2.9%

  1. 1.LensCrafters

    26.8%

    Held 1st. 1M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +2.4 points.

  2. 2.America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses

    21.6%

    Held 2nd. 808K estimated branded searches, -15.7% vs prior month. Share -1.7 points.

  3. 3.Warby Parker

    18%

    Held 3rd. 673K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +1.6 points.

  4. 4.Visionworks

    12.1%

    Held 4th. 450K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share -1.3 points.

  5. 5.Eyemart Express

    6.6%

    Moved from 6th to 5th. 246K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.6 points.

  6. 6.Pearle Vision

    6.6%

    Moved from 5th to 6th. 246K estimated branded searches, -18.3% vs prior month. Share -0.7 points.

  7. 7.Walmart

    5.4%

    Held 7th. 201K estimated branded searches, -18.3% vs prior month. Share -0.6 points.

  8. 8.Costco

    2.9%

    Held 8th. 110K estimated branded searches, -18.5% vs prior month. Share -0.3 points.

Compare popularity between Costco and its closest rivals

Every comparison with Costco

21 comparisons

How has branded search demand for Costco changed in the United States over the last 12 months?

2 findings
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Costco in the United States fell from 1.7M to 1.6M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Costco’s share of searches among optical retail chains in the United States held steady, from 2.7% to 2.9%.

How did search popularity change for United States optical retail chains in September 2026?

6 changes

  1. In September 2026, Eyemart Express overtook Pearle Vision to rank 5th among optical retail chains in the United States, with 6.6% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, LensCrafters gained share of searches among optical retail chains in the United States, from 24.3% to 26.8%.

  3. In September 2026, Warby Parker gained share of searches among optical retail chains in the United States, from 16.4% to 18%.

  4. In September 2026, America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses lost share of searches among optical retail chains in the United States, from 23.3% to 21.6%.

  5. In September 2026, Visionworks lost share of searches among optical retail chains in the United States, from 13.4% to 12.1%.

  6. In September 2026, Pearle Vision lost share of searches among optical retail chains in the United States, from 7.3% to 6.6%.

How are Costco’s branded searches counted?

5 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Costco’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.

  • costco contacts
  • costco optical
  • costco pharmacy
  • costco tire center
  • costco tires

Do you work for Costco? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Where does Costco compete?

Costco is ranked in four competitor sets. Each share is worked out among that set's brands, so it differs from set to set.
Competitor setRankShare of searchesRanking
Pharmacies4th of 51.6%Show ranking
Tire retailers3rd of 68.9%Show ranking
Optical retail chains8th of 82.9%Shown above
Contact lens retailers2nd of 619.3%Show ranking
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