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By Chloe Mayer
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Costco's new policy of allowing executive members into its stores early, for what has been dubbed a "VIP hour" of shopping, comes into force this week.
The company revealed its plans—which have been greeted with dismay by some of its other customers—with a soft launch back in June, but the scheme has now been rolled out across the country and will be fully operational and strictly enforced after Monday, according to reports. Customers should note that the company's stores will be closed on Monday itself for Labor Day.
The new policy means those with executive membership will be allowed early entry into stores for an hour on weekday mornings and half an hour on Saturdays before the stores opened to all other customers.
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Newsweek has reached out to Costco via email outside of regular working hours.
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Why It Matters
The company was hit with a backlash from some customers after the warehouse-style chain revealed only those with its most expensive memberships would be allowed to shop during an exclusive block of time each morning.
What To Know
Currently, executive members pay $130 per year, while gold star members pay $65. There is also a business membership scheme.
Executive members receive annual rewards and additional benefits on some goods and services, while the gold star members don't receive those benefits but simply secure access to Costco's in-store warehouses and its online store.
Costco's new policy is designed to be an additional perk for executive members, by offering them extended opening hours that only they can access. The company hopes they will enjoy the earlier start times and a less crowded experience.
Executive members will be allowed to shop between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on weekdays, and from 9.30 a.m until 10.00 a.m. on Saturdays. The doors will then be opened to all remaining customers with other memberships from 10:00 a.m., the chain said.
The news did not go down well with some of the Costco customers who have other, cheaper, memberships; they must now wait until the exclusive members have had their pick before they are allowed through the doors. Some customers said they felt alienated by the policy which favored its higher paying members, CNN reported.
And when the company announced the policy over the summer on its Instagram account, some of the social media users in the comments section expressed displeasure. "It should be for all members," one customer wrote.
Costco Opening Hours on Labor Day 2025
Although the benefit comes into force this week, Costco is due to be closed on Monday.
The company is one of the few grocery stores that gives employees the day off on Labor Day, with stores closed for the entire day on September 1.
What People Are Saying
With regards to the additional shopping time for executive members, an internal company email sent by Costco to its staff, seen by Business Insider, reportedly said: "Our Executive Members are our most loyal members, and we want to reward them for their commitment to Costco." The company said that around 50 percent of its customers have executive membership cards, but they account for 73 percent of its sales.
Some Costco customers made their displeasure clear in their comments beneath the post. One shared a cartoon meme reading: "It means not everyone's invited. Only the cool kids." And another added: "As members we all pay to shop there inconveniencing your loyal customers for 30 mins to an hour is actually not cool— and can off put a whole day, the early bird gets the worm not who pays more."
But others were delighted. One said: "Yesssss! I'll happily accept this extra hour!!!" And a another shopper wrote: "Nice added benefit to those with the Executive membership. Kudos! Hope to see more distinguishing benefits down the road."
"This is a way to get the gold members to become executive. Good money play," another said.
What Happens Next
The executive member early opening times at Costco are now in effect.
Stores have varying opening hours depending on their location, so customers should check their local store for details.
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