Joe Biden's big day out: a trip to Costco – in pictures

Decision point: Biden ponders a selection of baked goods Photograph: Susan Walsh/AP

Reaching for the goodies: Costco employees watch as Biden sizes up children's books Photograph: Susan Walsh/AP

Biden walks up and down the many cavernous aisles of Washington DC's first Costco as adoring fans look on. It was not immediately clear if he enjoyed the ice cream Photograph: Susan Walsh/AP

Joker-in-chief: Biden talks on an employee's cellphone at Costco Photograph: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

Ha! Photograph: Susan Walsh/AP

Biden reportedly said that he didn't have a Costco membership card because his wife wouldn't let him Photograph: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

Members only: Biden holds up an honorary card alongside Costco co-founder (and Obama campaign contributor) Jim Sinegal Photograph: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

Bling-a-ling-a-ling: I guess we know what Jill Biden is getting for Christmas Photograph: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

Biden decides on the Batman children's book Photograph: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

Biden indulges in some food samples Photograph: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

All done! The vice-president pushes his cart home after a long day of shopping Photograph: Susan Walsh/AP