Costco enforces exclusive shopping hours for executive members
- Costco has started exclusive early shopping hours for executive members.
- Members with Executive memberships can now shop between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. on weekdays and Sundays.
- This change reflects Costco's strategy to enhance services for higher-income customers.
In recent weeks, Costco, the renowned warehouse retailer with a significant presence in the United States, has implemented a new policy aimed at enhancing the shopping experience for its executive members. As part of this initiative, the company allows executive members – those who pay $130 annually for exclusive benefits – to access the store an hour earlier than standard members. This new shopping schedule took effect at all locations following a soft launch in June. Beginning on September 1, executive members can shop from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on weekdays and Sundays, while maintaining a slightly earlier access time of 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays. The decision to provide these exclusive shopping hours appears to be part of a broader strategy by Costco to cater to higher-income customers while creating an incentive for consumers to opt for the upper-tier membership. This new policy has a significant impact on Costco’s Gold Star and Business members, who will now shop beginning at 10 a.m. on weekdays and Sundays, and 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays. The news of these adjustments was communicated through emails sent to Costco's executive members, additionally shared on social media, highlighting the new shopping benefits available starting this September. Alongside the adjusted shopping hours, U.S. Costco warehouses will observe extended Saturday hours, remaining open until 7 p.m. for all members. These changes have eluded feedback from over 37 million executive members, showcasing Costco's commitment to appealing to its highest-spending clientele. The adjustments in shopping hours for executive members also extend to ancillary services such as food courts and optical centers, although pharmacies will remain closed on Sundays. This policy underscores the increasingly competitive retail environment as companies adjust their offerings to better serve affluent customers, particularly as consumer spending trends show a shift toward higher and middle-income households.