Spot gold has jumped nearly 30% this year, successively hitting record highs. Its ferocious rally makes it not only one of the best-performing commodities, but also means that metal has

Costco sold out of one-ounce gold bars at 77% of its stores in early October, as shoppers snapped them up amid record high gold prices.

Costco began selling the gold bars last September for about $2,000 each to its rewards members. In late January, it started offering one-ounce silver coins in a pack of 25 for $67

The trend, based on calls made to 101 stores in 46 states, highlights a growing shift among shoppers to secure the tangible assets as a hedge against financial instability. The stores surveyed said they had restocked their gold products.

Move over, gas and hot dogs. Costco shoppers are snatching up the store’s 1-ounce gold bars despite the market’s lofty price for the precious metal.