- About 20 million Americans are bracing for major disruptions to public services.
- When preparing for weeks-long power outages, there’s one place many “prepared” people head to: Costco.
- From gold bullion to toilet paper, wholesale clubs are a top choice for disaster preparedness.
As modern life becomes more convenient, it can also become more anxious.
For a growing number of Americans, this means preparing for the possibility of major disruptions to public services due to natural disasters or other doomsday scenarios.
About 20 million Americans could survive on their own for a month, according to an analysis of Federal Emergency Management Agency data. Among them are those who identify as part of the online community of “preppers,” which includes enthusiasts who stockpile supplies for years or build bunkers.
When stocking up on supplies for a weeks-long power outage, there’s one place these preppers love to go: Costco.
A recent New York Times feature on the Fortitude Ranch prepping community included a photo of a kitchen stocked with bottles of Kirkland Signature vitamins and antacid tablets.
“Going to Costco this week and planning on buying some prepper supplies,” one user posted on the r/preppers sub-Reddit in February. “My plan is to buy a few bags of rice and some canned goods for long-term food storage. Anything else I should consider while I’m there? Thanks!”
The list of supplies in response is long: butter, protein bars, coffee beans, medications, and (of course) a trash can to store it all.
And it doesn’t end there. Need a generator? Costco has them. Bulk supplies of toilet paper and drinking water? Absolutely.
Wholesale clubs are also big sellers of gold bullion and silver coins, which are popular with those worried about the collapse of the financial system. (A one-ounce silver coin is currently worth about $30.)
There are also ready-to-eat meal kits available in various sizes, one containing 130 meals that can last for 25 years and costs $63. A larger budget can be had for a 36-pack pallet version with over 13,000 servings for $6,000.
Of course, preparation requires a fair amount of disposable income, since the activity is all about buying goods and No use it.
Still, John Ramey, founder of a popular prep website, told the Times he expects business in the field to grow.
“The market for preparedness will continue to grow as the world continues to head down the wrong path,” he said.
