Beginning this week, Costco will implement a new policy that requires customers to shop during specific hours based on their membership type. This change comes as the wholesale retailer aims to enhance benefits for its higher-paying members.
Effective Tuesday, September 2, Costco will enforce an exclusive, hour-long shopping period for Executive Members. This policy, initially announced in the summer, provides these members with the opportunity 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 arriving during the designated Executive hour may be turned away by greeters, as the policy becomes stricter after a grace period in July and August.
The changes apply solely to U.S. stores, and the earlier hours will allow Executive Members to access the stores before most locations open. Some Costco locations, particularly those in California’s Bay Area, already open at 9 a.m. on weekdays and Saturdays.
Notably, Executive Members account for 73% of Costco’s sales, despite being less than half of the company’s 79.6 million total memberships. This move aligns with practices observed at rival Sam’s Club, which provides early morning shopping hours for its premium members.
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In addition to the early access, all U.S. Costco warehouses will now remain open an additional hour on Saturdays, extending closing time to 7 p.m. for all members.
