Costco just introduced a new, limited-time perk for its Executive Members today. Those premium members now receive exclusive early access to warehouses nationwide, doors opening an hour earlier at 8:30 AM instead of the usual 9:30 AM. This provides top-tier members with a full hour to shop before the hoi polloi arrive.
Why Costco Made This Change
The warehouse chain unveiled the benefit as a way to reward its best customers while eliminating overcrowding during rush hours. With membership sign-ups surpassing expectations this year, in part because of its efforts to build out its online business, Costco was looking for ways to offer perks to its highest-paying members without sacrificing service to all customers.
How the Early Hours Work
Executive Members may enter Costco Warehouse Monday through Friday beginning at 8:30 a.m. by displaying their Executive Member Card with a black label. Every department will be open, including fresh food, electronics, and pharmacy. This offer does not apply earlier than 9:30 a.m., in which case you will be prompted to adjust your order.
Benefits for Early Shoppers
According to one such member, the new early hours are already proving to have a lot of advantages —everything is freshly stocked, fewer checkout lines, more parking, and first dibs on the limited quantity items. A morning time slot also offers a more laid-back shopping experience, before stores start filling up.
What’s Available During Early Hours
All general merchandise and services are included during the private shopping hours. That features the daily bake off of product at 8:30 am, meat cuts made in-store that very day, and an electronics specialist on hand to get you the help you need, when you need it. There is a food court as well that opens early for breakfast.
Weekend Hours Remain Unchanged
The early access program currently only extends to weekday openings. Saturday and Sunday hours will remain the same for all members. The warehouse chain may also add the offering on weekends if the weekday test goes well.
Membership Requirements
Shoppers must have the Executive Membership, which costs $120 a year instead of the regular $60 Gold Star membership, to receive early access. Executive Members already enjoy extra benefits like 2% Annual Rewards on Costco Travel and other services.
Staffing Adjustments for New Hours
To staff the earlier openings, Costco has reshuffled employee schedules. Store teams now start one hour earlier to have all the shelves filled and each department ready when Executive Members arrive. Implementation has gone well companywide, the company said.
Member Reactions to the Change
The feedback from the Executive Members is that it’s just been tremendous. There are people who like to beat the rush, particularly if shopping with kids and during a steamy summer day. There have been a few regulars who are interested in upgrading so they don’t have to wait to get in.
Potential for Future Expansion
Leadership at Costco said they would be keeping an eye on the success of the program for three months. If early hours are popular, the company could also add more exclusive member benefits and extend the window of early access even further during the holidays.
How to Upgrade Your Membership
Current Gold Star members upgrade to the Executive level in-warehouse or online. The upgrade is now effective, and new Executive Members can begin enjoying the early hours that day. Adding on the extra $60 cost starts to be mitigated by the improved 2% rewards program.
Comparison to Competitor Programs
Other warehouse clubs have their versions of early access programs, but Costco’s new offering offers the longest exclusive period. Sam’s Club lets Plus members in 30 minutes before opening, and BJ’s allows its highest-tier members in 20 minutes before opening.
Impact on Regular Members
Costco is promising standard members that the early hours will make no difference to what is available. The company has also ratcheted up morning inventory shipments, according to Conine, to make sure all of the members are able to find what they want to buy, whether they visit in the morning or later in the day. Early reports: All shelves are fully stocked at normal opening time.
