Exhibit 23 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos. 333-56975, 333-67441, 333-83561, 333-45710 and 333-68322 of Cost Plus, Inc. and subsidiaries on Form S-8 of our report dated March 15, 2002, incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Cost Plus, Inc. and subsidiaries for the year ended February 2, 2002. San Francisco, California May 1, 2002