Starting this week, Costco customers risk being turned away if they don’t come during their memberships’ designated hours.
WASHINGTON — Costco’s new policy allowing an exclusive shopping hour for some members will take full effect this week.
Starting Monday, Sept. 1, the wholesale club will strictly enforce its latest perk: giving an exclusive, hour-long shopping window in the morning for its higher-paying members. The policy was announced earlier this summer, but Costco had given a grace period for the policy change in July and August.
The enforcement goes into effect on Labor Day, when Costco is closed, so shoppers will likely see changes starting Tuesday, Sept. 2.
Executive Members will be given early access to shop from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. local time on weekdays and Sundays, and from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays.
Gold Star and Business members who arrive at Costco during the “Executive hour” run the risk of being turned away by greeters at the door.
The change, which is limited to U.S. stores, means executive members will get to shop earlier than when most – but not all – of the stores typically open. Some Costco locations, including all of the ones in California’s Bay Area, already open at 9 a.m. Monday through Saturday.
According to company data, executive members make up 73% of Costco’s sales despite representing a little less than half of their 79.6 million memberships.
The move aligns Costco with rival Sam’s Club, which has long offered exclusive early morning shopping hours for its premium plus members.
As part of the change announced June 30, Costco said that all U.S. warehouses will now be open an extra hour on Saturdays, closing at 7 p.m. for all members.
How much is a Costco membership?
Last year, Costco raised the price of its memberships for the first time since 2017. The cost for a Gold Star membership, the basic tier, increased from $60 to $65. Executive memberships, the higher-tier plan, increased from $120 to $130.
