Costco Enforces Executive-Only Early Shopping Amid Member Pushback
Costco Wholesale has moved to enforce its early-access shopping policy for Executive Members only, ending a grace period that allowed other members to shop ahead of standard opening times. Starting September 1, 2025, Executive Members will be able to enter stores as early as 9 a.m. on weekdays and Sundays, with Saturdays opening at 9:30 a.m. Standard Gold Star members will still begin shopping at the regular store opening time.
The policy had been rolled out in June, with Executive Members granted early access while Gold Star members were asked to wait until 10 a.m. Costco indicated that during a grace period the policy was not strictly enforced. The company now states that the grace period is over and the early-access hours are being enforced for Executive Members only, as noted on its website: “Note: These hours are for Executive Members only; other members must wait until the standard opening times.”
The change highlights the ongoing tiered-benefit structure Costco has promoted. Gold Star memberships cost $65 per year, while Executive Memberships command a $130 annual price tag. The shift has drawn mixed reactions from shoppers: some customers argue the policy favors higher-paying members and could alienate others, while supporters say it rewards members who pay for premium benefits and helps manage store traffic more efficiently.
What this means for shoppers
– Executive Members: Can shop earlier at 9 a.m. on weekdays and Sundays, and 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays.
– Gold Star Members: Must wait for the standard opening time.
– Overall: A clearer distinction between membership tiers, with potential implications for store crowding and shopping experience.
Context and implications
– Costco’s move follows a period where the grace policy was not strictly enforced, aligning the practice with the advertised benefits of Executive Membership.
– The policy underscores Costco’s strategy of differentiating benefits by membership level, which can influence customer decisions on whether to upgrade.
– Retailers often use early-access or exclusive shopping windows to incentivize higher-tier memberships and manage peak crowds, balancing access with store operations.
Additional notes
– The pricing gap between Gold Star and Executive memberships is substantial and a factor for members weighing upgrades.
– Businesses considering similar tiered access may weigh customer satisfaction against traffic management and revenue from premium memberships.
Overall outlook
While the change may disappoint some non-Executive shoppers, it clarifies benefit tiers and aligns access with membership status. For fans of premium perks, this reinforces the value proposition of upgrading; for other shoppers, it emphasizes the importance of planning around standard store hours. If Costco maintains a steady balance between accessibility and exclusive benefits, the policy could ultimately support smoother shopping experiences for members who invest in higher-tier plans, while continuing to allow all customers to shop during normal hours.