Costco Wholesale has announced in an email to employees the reinstatement of exclusive early shopping hours for its Executive Members, offering enhanced access to its warehouses. The new policy will allow Executive Members to shop from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM on Weekdays, 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM on Saturdays and 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM on Sundays. Gold Star members will need to wait until after to shop. This initiative revives a perk previously offered to Executive Members but phased out in many locations in recent years. This change will begin June 30th, 2025.

The decision underscores Costco’s commitment to enhancing the value of its $130 annual Executive Membership. The early access is designed to provide a more convenient shopping experience, allowing members to avoid peak crowds and navigate stores with greater ease. The move is expected to alleviate common pain points such as parking lot congestion and extended checkout wait times, particularly at high-traffic warehouses.

Executive Member Shopping Hours

• Weekdays (Monday – Friday): 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
• Saturday: 9 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
• Sunday: 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.

Details regarding the implementation are still forthcoming. Costco has not yet clarified how the early hours will impact access to pharmacy, optical, or other specialized services for non-Executive Members. Additionally, it remains uncertain whether third-party services, such as Instacart, will be permitted during the exclusive hour or restricted to standard opening times. The company has indicated that further information will be provided as the rollout progresses.

Select warehouses, including locations in Michigan, are currently piloting the early hours program. In regions where stores already open at 9:00 AM, such as certain California markets, the exclusive hour will shift regular member access to a later start. Costco is also introducing other operational enhancements, including a Scan-and-Go checkout system to streamline transactions and the transition to Coca-Cola products in food courts by mid-2025.

Another Executive Member benefit rolling out along with this is a $10 monthly credit on Instacart orders over $150. Overall, we feel if you’re not currently an Executive Member then this is a great opportunity to upgrade and take advantage of the Instacart benefit, the early hours, and the 2% annual reward!

The reinstatement of early hours is anticipated to be well-received by Executive Members, though it may necessitate scheduling adjustments for warehouse staff to accommodate the earlier openings. Members are encouraged to check with their local warehouse for specific details on implementation.