Gardena, California – In an unexpected yet shrewd move, the Skechers outlet in Gardena, California, adopted a unique strategy in May to entice customers: it introduced a Costco-style food court on its premises.
Michael Greenberg, the CEO of Skechers, shared with Eater that this concept, known as “Food Spot,” has significantly boosted the store’s sales and has been met with enthusiasm, describing it as “a beautiful concept.” Reports from Eater reveal that lines at Food Spot were long, and the outdoor seating area was consistently occupied on a typical weekday visit.
Part of the excitement surrounding Food Spot can be attributed to its unapologetic imitation of Costco, renowned for its affordable food courts that are a draw for many of its shoppers. Even from a design perspective, the Food Spot menu closely mirrors Costco’s, featuring a hospital-blue font and red borders around each item.
The food offerings at Food Spot closely parallel Costco’s menu of lunches and treats, featuring pepperoni pizza, hot dogs, churros, Caesar salads, and soft-serve sundaes.
However, Food Spot distinguishes itself by offering some exclusive items that you won’t find while shopping for bulk goods: Nashville hot chicken sandwiches, citrus-chile roast chicken sandwiches, and parmesan fries. While prices at Food Spot may exceed Costco’s famously low prices (for instance, a slice of cheese pizza costs $2.50 at Food Spot compared to $1.99 at Costco in Santa Clara, according to menu photos on Yelp), the advantage is that there’s no need for a membership fee.
Nevertheless, there is one conspicuous omission from the Food Spot menu: the absence of the beloved chicken bake, considered by some as the crown jewel of Costco’s food court offerings.
