Costco's New Policy Change Takes Effect: Exclusive Early Shopping Hours for Executive Members

Costco's new policy, which started on June 30, 2025, officially takes effect on August 31, 2025, after a grace period. The policy restricts shopping hours for non-Executive members, who will not be able to enter stores early or stay late. This has been controversial, with some members and workers upset. Executive members, however, will have extended hours on weekdays and Sundays, and half an hour earlier on Saturdays. The new policy aims to reward Executive membership.

Costco's new policy, which began on June 30, 2025, officially takes effect on August 31, 2025, after a grace period. The policy restricts shopping hours for non-Executive members, who will not be able to enter stores early or stay late. This has been controversial, with some members and workers expressing concern. Executive members, however, will have extended hours on weekdays and Sundays, and half an hour earlier on Saturdays. The new policy aims to reward Executive membership.

The new policy applies to all shoppers and relates to hours of operation. Specifically, the company announced that a certain category of shoppers would now have extended hours not available to others. As the Costco website reads in its section regarding hours of operation, "As of June 30, 2025, exclusive earlier shopping hours for Executive members may be available at your local warehouse. Check store details for more information."

Executive shoppers can enter Costco stores up to one hour earlier than other members on weekdays and on Sundays. On Saturdays, they can come half an hour early. Costco provided a grace period on new hours, but that period is now officially coming to an end. This means that anyone who does not have an Executive membership will not be allowed to come to the store early or stay as late.

The policy is controversial for several reasons. Some workers were upset about the new hours, with one employee posting on Reddit, "We struggle to get open [at] 9:45, I can imagine it's going to be fun every morning in merchandising." Another commented that this reflected a fundamental change in Costco's operations, which was part of a broader issue. "Corporate announcing this with 3 weeks notice, while in the middle of a hiring freeze, AND severely cutting hours? Costco is not the same company it once was," they said.

Many non-Executive members were also upset. Several posted to Facebook to say they were canceling their membership, including a Facebook poster named Gary Blake, who was caught off guard by the change. Others complained that the policy was too similar to that of Sam’s Club, which has long provided extended hours to those who spring for the upgraded membership tier.

Costco aims to reward Executive membership. Offering extended hours to Executive members is a perk that Costco hopes will make this membership tier even more attractive. It also rewards those who spend extra for a higher-priced membership, and who tend to be more frequent Costco shoppers. As Costco told Business Insider, "Our Executive Members are our most loyal members, and we want to reward them for their commitment to Costco."

If you want to become an Executive member to shop early, you should know that there are two different membership tiers. According to Costco, the two tiers include the following:

- Executive Membership: This costs $130 per year and comes with the extra hours. It also provides 2% back on qualifying Costco purchases.
- Gold Star membership: This membership costs $65 per year and does not include any cash back, nor does it include extended hours.
- Business Membership: This is also priced at $65 and does not allow you to access the store early.

The new policy will now officially be enforced, so everyone needs to start following it effective immediately.

References:
[1] https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/us/labor-day-2025-costco-stores-to-remain-closed-nationwide-on-september-1-101756475124596.html
[2] https://www.thestreet.com/retail/costcos-controversial-policy-change-officially-takes-effect-
[3] https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2024/12/12/costco-membership-earnings-release/76943474007/