These two retail experiences couldn’t be anymore different. Apple stores are sleek, cool minimalist environments, typically tucked in high-traffic urban shopping centers. Costco, on the other hand, is a no-frills big box that packs thousands of products to the ceilings in its suburban locations.
But both retail environments are good at one thing: Selling cell phones.
According to a survey from the Consumer Reports National Research Center, Apple and Costco are two of the best places to purchase a cell phone. Apple’s physical and online stores received top marks for checkout and service, while Costco received high scores for both service and pricing. Meanwhile, Best Buy received the top score for cell phone selection.
The findings will be released in the January issue of Consumer Reports, alongside data about the country’s top carriers. They also come as many Americans prepare for the holiday shopping season where a higher percentage of folks are picking up smartphones.
In fact, Consumer Reports found that the average American household spent more than $1,500 on phones and phone services this year, up 7 percent from 2011.
In a separate survey released today of 1,901 consumers, CouponCodes4u.com found that 58 percent of Americans had purchased an Apple product in the past year. Using its own sales data, the company concluded that $1 in every $25 was spent on Apple products in the past six months.
Related: The people’s champ: Verizon is most favorable carrier
