Costco app introduces stock tracking feature for select warehouses

Costco has introduced a new feature in its mobile app that allows users to check the inventory of select warehouses. This 'search warehouse inventory' tool, which is currently in Beta testing, was first made available to some customers in June. Users can access this feature by navigating to the 'warehouse' section of the app, where they can view store hours, gas prices, and search for specific products by name or description. This innovation aims to enhance the shopping experience by eliminating the need for customers to call or visit the store to check product availability. Customer reactions to the new feature have been mixed. Some users expressed excitement about the convenience it offers, while others voiced frustration, noting that it might lead to disappointment when favorite products remain out of stock. The app's rollout comes at a time when Costco is also increasing its membership fees for the first time in seven years, which may impact customer sentiment. The membership fee hike, which took effect recently, raises the cost of 'gold star' and business memberships from $60 to $65, and executive memberships from $120 to $130. This change affects approximately 52 million memberships, with a significant portion being executive members. The last increase in membership fees occurred in June 2017, making this adjustment noteworthy for long-time Costco shoppers. Overall, the introduction of the inventory tracking feature reflects Costco's efforts to adapt to changing consumer needs and enhance customer satisfaction, even as it navigates challenges related to pricing and product availability.