Costco’s latest membership policy officially took effect on September 1, marking a major change in shopping hours for members.
After testing the perk earlier this summer and offering a grace period, the retail giant is now enforcing its new rule.
Under the policy, shoppers with Costco’s Executive Membership tier will gain exclusive access to stores one hour earlier than standard members on weekdays. This means Executive Members can begin shopping from 9 a.m., while all other customers must wait until 10 a.m. On Saturdays, the early access window is shortened to 30 minutes, with Executive Members allowed inside from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. before the store opens to everyone.
For shoppers who only hold the $65 Gold Star Membership, or the Business Membership at the same price, entry will be denied until the standard opening hours. The premium $130 Executive Membership is the only tier that qualifies for the early shopping perk.
A Costco spokesperson defended the change, telling Business Insider: “Our Executive Members are our most loyal members, and we want to reward them for their commitment to Costco.” The company also highlighted that Executive Members already receive additional perks, including an annual 2% reward on eligible purchases and, more recently, a $10 monthly credit introduced in June.
Not all shoppers are pleased. The rule has sparked debate online, with some members frustrated about being locked out during early hours. Others argue the change makes sense, given the higher fees attached to the Executive tier.
This latest policy is part of a series of recent shifts by the wholesale chain. Earlier this summer, Costco made headlines after confirming that it would replace Pepsi with Coca-Cola products across all of its food courts. The switch finalized in August, with Coke now set to become the exclusive beverage brand nationwide.
The move marks a return for Coca-Cola, which Costco dropped in 2013 in favor of Pepsi to maintain its famously low $1.50 hot dog and soda combo. The company later announced it would phase out Pepsi entirely, replacing it with Coca-Cola products by fall 2025.
With early shopping hours restricted and food court changes underway, Costco is signaling that membership tiers will play an even bigger role in shaping the customer experience moving forward.
Leo Cruz brings sharp insights into the world of politics, offering balanced reporting and analysis on the latest policies, elections, and global political events. With years of experience covering campaigns and interviewing world leaders, Leo ensures readers are always informed and engaged.
