Latest news with #ExecutiveMembers
Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Report: Costco warning as store policy change rolled out across US
By 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. 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.' 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 . has reached out to Costco for comment about the warning and employee claims.
Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Urgent Costco warning as major store policy change rolled out across the US
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. has reached out to Costco for comment about the warning and employee claims.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Costco is now opening earlier for certain members
Costco has rolled out earlier shopping hours. But members will have to pay a bit more to access it. Cardholders of Costco's priciest 'Executive Member' plan, which costs $130 per year, can now exclusively enter warehouses beginning at 9 am through 10 am Sunday through Friday. On Saturdays, the time slot is from 9 am to 9:30 am. All other members can enter at 10 am Sunday through Friday and at 9:30 am on Saturdays. Costco announced the changes last month and they went into effect on Monday, June 30. The changes come about a year after the warehouse chain hiked prices of its annual memberships for the first time in seven years. Last September, membership fees increased by $5 to $65 a year in the US and Canada for three of its plans: 'Gold Star,' 'Business' and 'Business Add-On.' The price of Costco's premium 'Executive Member' tier also went up by $10. However, they can now earn $1,250 in rewards annually versus $1,000 in the past, including a new $10 monthly credit for same-day delivery on its website or through Instacart. The number of Executive members jumped 9% year-over-year to 37.6 million, according to the company's most recent earnings report. Those memberships represent 73% of Costco's sales. Annual fees have been one of the biggest profit-generating areas for Costco, helping it offset expenses to keep its prices down. Last year, Costco earned $4.8 billion in revenue from membership fees, a 5% increase from 2023. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
CNN
03-07-2025
- Business
- CNN
Costco is now opening earlier for certain members
Costco has rolled out earlier shopping hours. But members will have to pay a bit more to access it. Cardholders of Costco's priciest 'Executive Member' plan, which costs $130 per year, can now exclusively enter warehouses beginning at 9 am through 10 am Sunday through Friday. On Saturdays, the time slot is from 9 am to 9:30 am. All other members can enter at 10 am Sunday through Friday and at 9:30 am on Saturdays. Costco announced the changes last month and they went into effect on Monday, June 30. The changes come about a year after the warehouse chain hiked prices of its annual memberships for the first time in seven years. Last September, membership fees increased by $5 to $65 a year in the US and Canada for three of its plans: 'Gold Star,' 'Business' and 'Business Add-On.' The price of Costco's premium 'Executive Member' tier also went up by $10. However, they can now earn $1,250 in rewards annually versus $1,000 in the past, including a new $10 monthly credit for same-day delivery on its website or through Instacart. The number of Executive members jumped 9% year-over-year to 37.6 million, according to the company's most recent earnings report. Those memberships represent 73% of Costco's sales. Annual fees have been one of the biggest profit-generating areas for Costco, helping it offset expenses to keep its prices down. Last year, Costco earned $4.8 billion in revenue from membership fees, a 5% increase from 2023.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Costco Just Extended Shopping Hours for Some Members—Here's What to Know
Costco now offers Executive members early store access and a monthly Instacart credit, aiming to justify a recent membership price hike. Standard members (Gold Star and Business) face delayed entry, though extended Saturday hours benefit all tiers. If you're a morning shopper and Instacart user, it may be worth is rolling out a major shift that affects how, and when, its most-dedicated customers shop. Starting June 30, Executive members now get earlier access at warehouses nationwide, a change that marks a new chapter in how the wholesale retailer rewards its shoppers. The shift comes just days after Costco announced another membership price hike for the second year in a row, raising the Executive tier to $130 annually and the basic Gold Star fee to $65. But with this bump comes a range of perks that aim to sweeten the deal, especially for those who stop in frequently or value a quieter, less-crowded store experience. Related: 12 Bulk Costco Buys That Make Stocking Up Worth It Executive members can now shop as early as 9 a.m. every day, giving them a chance to explore the aisles before other customers. On Saturdays, typically one of the busiest shopping days, Executive members will have a 30-minute advantage, with general access beginning at 9:30 a.m. Gold Star and Business members will need to wait until 10 a.m. on weekdays and Sundays, and 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays to grab their carts. Sunday shopping, often a peak period for families and bulk errand-runners, is also now reserved for Executive members before 10 a.m. In addition to early access, Executive members will receive a $10 monthly Instacart credit when they spend $150 or more on or Instacart orders—another incentive aimed at high-volume or time-conscious shoppers. There's also a new perk for all members! Starting July 5, Costco warehouses will extend Saturday hours across the board, staying open until 7 p.m., a welcome move for weekend shoppers looking to beat the rush or squeeze in errands later in the day. Related: 5 Reasons to Go to the Grocery Store Instead of Delivery, According to Supermarket Experts Costco's Executive membership base is not only its largest revenue driver, it's also its most engaged. While only about 47% of members are in the Executive tier, they account for roughly 73% of total spending. The new schedule seems designed to reward that loyalty while encouraging more members to upgrade. It's also a competitive move. Sam's Club, one of Costco's main challengers, already offers early access to its premium members. By adopting a similar model, Costco is signaling that it's willing to match those perks, (and then some). On a practical level, staggered hours help reduce crowding during peak times, particularly in summer and holiday seasons. Early access for a smaller group means faster checkout, shorter lines, and a less chaotic warehouse experience. While Executive members are largely welcoming the changes, the reaction among standard members has been more mixed. Some feel sidelined by the staggered hours, viewing it as a not-so-subtle push to upgrade. Over on Reddit's r/Costco community, one commenter called it 'a sales tactic to get more members to make the bump to Executive,' while another described the new policy as 'classist,' saying it favors wealthier customers at the expense of everyone however, struck a more balanced tone, acknowledging that Costco is still offering generous shopping hours for all tiers, especially with the newly extended Saturday hours and grace period through August 31. Some employees have expressed concern about the operational impact of these changes. According to reports from Business Insider, workers worry that longer hours and early openings could lead to staff shortages during high-traffic periods, especially if warehouses aren't adjusting staffing levels accordingly. If you're a frequent Costco shopper, especially one who prefers early mornings or relies on Instacart, the Executive membership could be a smart move. The $10 monthly delivery credit alone adds up to $120 annually, nearly offsetting the cost difference. Add in the 2% annual cashback and early access to less crowded store hours, and the math starts to work in your favor. Related: I've Never Been to Trader Joe's—These 4 Unexpected Features from My First Trip Made Me a Frequent Shopper Read the original article on Better Homes & Gardens
