Saw Racking at Costco? Here’s What It’s Called and Where to Buy It

Well, you’re in the right place! Let’s break down what those Costco shelves are, how to pick the right ones for your needs, and where to snag them. Spoiler: it’s easier than you think to get warehouse racking like Costco for your own space.

That Racking You Saw at Costco? It’s Called Pallet Racking

That racking you saw at Costco? It’s called pallet racking. Those giant metal shelves packed with cereal boxes, TVs, and even used in refrigerated areas are known as selective pallet racking. It’s the backbone of big stores and warehouses, designed to hold loads on pallets, bins, or stacked boxes.

Costco loves it because it maximizes space, keeps inventory organized, adapts to any layout, and even serves as the base for other equipment, like those sturdy workbenches, which are also made from pallet rack parts.

Whether for your business or garage, now you know what to Google if you’re looking for that same kind of equipment.

What Type of Racking Does Costco Use?

Costco typically uses standard selective pallet racking with teardrop-style uprights and step beams. You’ll recognize it by the distinctive tear-shaped holes in the vertical frames. This racking style is common across the U.S., which makes finding compatible parts simple and stress-free.

Here’s a quick rundown of what you’re seeing at Costco:

• Teardrop Pallet Racking. These frames have teardrop-shaped holes, making it super easy to adjust beams without tools. It’s like LEGO for warehouse shelving.

• Pallet Supports. If you’re only storing pallets, pallet supports might be all you need. They’re affordable and still get the job done. You can even combine them with decking for extra flexibility. However, most warehouses go with wire mesh decking to prevent items from falling through the beams.

• Worktables. Often made from the same racking material, Costco-style worktables are sturdy, height-adjustable, and great for packing stations or DIY setups.

• Shelving (Including Mobile Shelving). You might spot Costco wire shelving on wheels or display shelves for smaller items or front-of-store setups. There are countless types of shelving out there. Speedrack West offers the industry’s best-standard shelving, designed exactly for the kinds of uses you see at Costco. Our shelving matches the exact purpose you’re looking for.

• Tire Racks. Designed to keep tires organized and off the floor, these racks are perfect for auto shops or bulk tire storage. They’re strong, space-saving, and easy to access.

• Bollard Posts. These heavy-duty posts protect walls, equipment, and walkways from forklift or cart damage. You’ve probably seen them around Costco’s loading zones.

• Wire Mesh Partition Cages. Great for securing high-value items or controlling access to inventory. Think of them as mini-fortresses inside your warehouse.

• Flue Guards. These help control pallet placement and prevent pallets from encroaching into the flue space. A small piece with a big safety impact.

That smart mix of durability and flexibility is what makes Costco’s layout so clean and efficient. It’s built tough but adapts easily to everything from bulk storage shelves to sleek display walls.

How to Choose the Right Racking for Your Use Case

But if you’re the DIY type and want to dive in yourself, here’s a simple guide to help you figure out what you need:

1. Measure your space. Know the height, width, and depth of your storage area. How high are the shelves at Costco? Typically, they go up to 16-20 ft in warehouses, but for your garage or small warehouse, you might only need 8-12 ft. Measure carefully to avoid surprises.

2. Know your inventory. What are you storing? Heavy pallets of inventory? Boxes of tools? Calculate the weight and size of your items to ensure your racking can handle it.

3. Weight requirements. How much does each shelf or pallet need to hold?

4. Access needs. Do you need to grab every item easily (use selective racking)? Or are you storing similar items in bulk (look at drive-in racking)? Think about how often you’ll need to access your stuff.

5. Growth plans. Will you expand later? Start small and build up?

6. Check Local Codes. Especially for businesses, ensure your racking meets safety and compliance standards. This might include seismic requirements or fire codes.

Other Racking Types to Consider

Not all storage is one-size-fits-all. Just like you’ve seen at Costco, pallet racking can handle almost anything—from pet food and shrink-wrapped beverage packs to tires and full-sized refrigerators. That’s why at Speedrack West, we design every system around your products and your industry needs.

Want to store beverage pallets like the setup in the photo below? There are more options than just basic pallet racking—check out our Beverage Storage solutions.

Working in cold storage? We’ve got racking systems built for low temps and tight turnarounds—explore Cold Storage options.

Lightweight shelving filled with flowers always draws attention—even if you’re not a farmer. But there’s so much more you can use alongside or instead of standard shelves. Check out our Grow Systems and Indoor Farming solutions to explore the options.

For automotive manufacturing and parts distribution, having the right storage setup is key—like tire racks or wire reel racks. Just tell our team what you’re storing, and we’ll recommend the right racking system for your operation.

Aerospace, aircraft, and defense manufacturers sometimes use the same types of equipment you’ve seen at Costco—like wire mesh partition cages—but they also require more specialized solutions. Discover more on our Aerospace, Aircraft & Defense Manufacturing page.

Need to store plastic bins or other equipment common in electrical work? We’ve got solutions designed specifically for that. From stackable totes to wire reel racking, you’ll find it all on our Electrical Contractors Storage page.

Looking for lightweight shelving on wheels? These mobile units are great for backrooms, temporary setups, or anywhere flexibility matters. And if you’re working with documents or archive materials, check out our Archive and Records Storage solutions.

If you’re storing a mix of products—like flowerpots or bulky goods—you don’t have to stick with just wooden decking or what you’ve seen at Costco. We offer a full range of pallet rack decking options to match your exact needs.

And if those tables full of books, clothes, or fresh-baked goods look like something you need too, know that we build fully custom worktables and fixtures, designed to fit your business, your space, and your industry. Learn more on our Custom Fabrication page.

Where to Buy Costco-Style Racking

Wondering who makes the shelves you see at Costco? While Costco doesn’t sell their exact racking systems to the public, you can get the same high-quality industrial storage racks for your business through Speedrack West.

If you know exactly how many pallet racks you need, our easy-to-use online rack builder lets you design your system quickly—from a few rows to a full warehouse setup—with instant pricing. Just have your measurements and needs ready!

FAQs

Who makes the racks used in Costco?

Costco uses commercial-grade pallet racking. At Speedrack West, we stock teardrop racking made to the same standards (often from the same U.S. suppliers).

Can you buy the same shelves Costco uses?

Yes—through commercial racking suppliers like Speedrack West. The stuff in-store isn’t usually for sale, but we carry compatible versions designed for warehouse, garage, or retail use.

What’s the price of Costco-style shelving?

Pricing varies based on height, length, weight capacity, and accessories. For exact pricing, visit the pallet racking starter kit page. Call for volume pricing or project quote 503-640-5666