Oh, Costco’s stirring the pot again—and this time it’s not with free samples. Starting June 30, executive members will get the golden hour of retail: early access at 9 a.m. daily, beating the standard 10 a.m. open time by a full sixty minutes (9:30 on Saturdays if you’re keeping score). And like clockwork, the internet did “exactly” what it does best—turned this hour into a battlefield of nostalgia, opinions, and pizza-fueled passion.
First up, some shoppers are “absolutely thrilled”. Imagine being a parent, awake at 6 a.m. with two hyper kids, and finally having a reason to leave the house that doesn’t involve Paw Patrol or reheating coffee for the fifth time. For these early birds, that 9 a.m. access isn’t just a perk—it’s a lifeline.
But hold onto your Kirkland sweatpants, because not everyone’s lighting sparklers over this. One member flatly declared they couldn’t care less. What do they “really” want? Combo pizza and churros. And can you blame them?
If you’ve ever savored that gooey, saucy triangle of joy, you know this isn’t just about shopping hours—it’s about Costco’s “soul”. Bring back the classics, they say, or this new “perk” rings hollow.
Then there are the veterans—the OGs—who remember the “real” early access days. Back in the ‘90s at Price Club, executive members didn’t just get in early, they got breakfast. Juice, bagels, the works. So this announcement? It’s not a revolution—it’s a re-run.
And while Costco didn’t respond to Fox Business about the change, it’s clearly reacting to competitor pressure. Sam’s Club already lets “Plus” members in two hours early on weekdays. Costco’s just playing catch-up, but with a more modest one-hour lead.
For those keeping tabs on the cost, the executive membership is $130 per year and includes a 2% annual reward (up to $1,250). Gold Star?
Half that cost, and none of the bonus bells. So now, there’s one more reason for fence-sitters to upgrade—and one more reason for loyal Gold Star members to grumble in the parking lot.
And Costco? Well, it’s rolling out new warehouses like it’s building a retail empire—20 in South Korea, 110 in Canada, and just had its 37th open in Japan. The message is clear: they’re expanding globally and tightening benefits domestically.
So whether you’re craving bagels at dawn or pining for a resurrected combo pizza, one thing’s for sure—Costco knows how to keep people talking, cart-pushing, and maybe, just maybe, showing up before 9 a.m. again.
