Costco expands Executive Member Shopping Hours to 9 a.m. daily, ahead of standard openings
Costco is extending a new perk for its top-tier members, letting Executive Members begin shopping at 9 a.m. every day nationwide. Regular store hours remain 10 a.m. on Sundays through Fridays and 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays. The perk also applies to Costco’s food courts, optical centers and pharmacies, though pharmacies are closed on Sundays.
The nationwide shift, announced by Costco CEO Ron Vachris in June, is designed to give Executive Members a head start and to compete with Sam’s Club, which already offers its Plus Members early access—two hours on weekdays and an extra hour on Saturdays.
Executive Members already enjoy benefits beyond early shopping, including 2% rewards on annual purchases up to $1,250 and a $130 annual membership fee. In June, Costco added a monthly $10 credit for orders over $150 placed through the same-day service or Instacart for Executive Members. By comparison, lower-tier Gold Star and Business memberships cost $65 annually and still include rewards, fuel access and other perks.
The change comes as Costco has been tweaking its operating model. Earlier this year, the retailer lengthened hours at its North American gas stations. In terms of scale, Costco reported nearly $3.6 billion in membership-fee revenue in the first three quarters of 2025, with total membership revenue last year around $4.8 billion. The company also projects global warehouse growth to 914 locations by the end of the fiscal year, including new openings in Sweden, South Korea and Canada.
Analysts and shoppers will weigh whether an extra hour of shopping is worth upgrading to Executive Membership, but Costco’s strategy remains clear: reward loyalty and improve convenience to sustain growth in a competitive wholesale landscape.
What this means for shoppers
– Executive Members get a predictable early-start window to shop, possibly reducing lines and parking hassles.
– Access to food courts, optical centers and pharmacies comes as part of the early hours, though plan around Sunday pharmacy closures.
– Existing Executive Members continue to enjoy 2% rewards and the new monthly Instacart/same-day credit, while Gold Star and Business members keep their existing perks.
Summary
Costco is expanding its Executive Member Shopping Hours to 9 a.m. daily, a move aimed at easing crowds and matching rival incentives, while deepening the appeal of higher-tier memberships as the company grows its international footprint and overall member revenue. Positive outlook for members who value speed and rewards, with ongoing questions about whether the upgrade justifies the cost for every shopper.