Urgent Costco warning as major store policy change rolled out across the US

Daily Mail​

10-07-2025

A Costco employee has warned that the chain's new shopping hours are making life difficult for workers.
As of June 30, the big box retailer now opens an hour earlier for Executive tier members at 9:00 am.
But worker Holly Dickey White explained that the new hours aren't a walk in the park for employees in a Facebook post.
The Arizona resident claimed that none of the employees knew there would be new hours or were even asked if they believed the new policy was a smart decision.
'I understand it's "just an hour" but for a lot of employees it is making life difficult, getting kids to school or babysitters,' White wrote.
'If you are caring for an elderly member of your family. It is disrupting our lives!!.'
White revealed their days could be a whole lot better if customers were to bring 'a dose of patience,' a smile, and kind words.
'Greet us with a Smile, it will help, I PROMISE!! Costco is still an awesome employer and we will all get adjusted to these new hours!,' she wrote.
A Costco employee issued an urgent warning to shoppers a day before the chain's new store hour policy took effect
Costco's Executive members can shop an hour earlier than other membership holders weekdays and Sundays, and 30 minutes earlier on Saturdays
Costco's Executive members have been able to shop from 9:00 am to 10:00 am on weekdays and Sundays and 9:00 am to 9:30 am on Saturdays since June 30.
All Executive level members can take advantage of the new hours, which are applied to every Costco nationwide.
'Our Executive Members are our most loyal members, and we want to reward them for their commitment to Costco,' the company told employees in an email seen by Business Insider.
Executive members, who pay $130 a year, reacted positively to the change before it took effect.
However, workers were not thrilled to learn the change would be happening, believing it would make their jobs harder.
'As someone who usually works the morning shift, I wonder (and hope) we'll be able to work an hour earlier to offset the lost time in getting the warehouse ready for opening. We barely make it as it is,' an employee wrote on Reddit.
'I'm a morning cooler driver and I already struggle sleeping and waking up for work starting at 4 am. Let alone making opening as is,' another person responded.
'I'm not excited to come in an hour earlier, and get even less sleep than I already do, especially working two jobs. I'm happy for the executive members at least. It's a nice benefit for them.'
The company issued the new hours as a way to reward its 'most loyal members'
Employees on social media were not thrilled about the change, while shoppers insisted they would upgrade their memberships
It comes as Costco has made a number of changes recently.
The ball got rolling on major changes last year after the chain announced its plans to replace Pepsi with Coca-Cola products in food courts.
Social media users were divided with the company's decision, and some were furious after spotting a Coke machine in a California store.
Customer satisfaction levels may have risen, however, after the chain extended its gas station hours and added more pumps at select locations.
Costco food courts have also ignited backlash from customers divided over its offerings, including its 'overpoweringly sweet' Frozen Strawberry Lemonade.
DailyMail.com has reached out to Costco for comment about the warning and employee claims.