Costco wants to fill your tank before you grab the $1.50 hotdog

merican retail giants are moving beyond groceries and snacks to pump more money into a space most shoppers might not expect: gas stations. 

According to Quartz, Dollar General, better known for $1 shampoo and canned beans than fuel, now operates more than 40 gas stations after first testing the format in 2013. BJ’s Wholesale Club added four new stations in the first quarter, bringing its total to 190. Walmart, meanwhile, plans to open 45 more stations this year, targeting over 450 locations by year-end, while sister brand Sam’s Club recently extended hours at most gas outlets.

But the original playbook comes from Costco — the quiet fuel giant of American retail.

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