PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Costco says it will start accepting food stamps at its warehouse clubs nationwide after testing them at stores in New York.

It's a big about-face for a retailer that has catered to the bargain-hunting affluent - and a sign of the grim reality facing retailers and their customers. Food-stamp users recently hit a record 36 million.

Costco Wholesale Corp. began accepting food stamps at its New York stores this year under political pressure.

The company doubted many would use them but saw a strong response and will accept them in at least half its stores nationwide by Thanksgiving.