Costco Ends Grace Period for Early-Access Shopping Hours

Costco Wholesale officially concluded the grace period for its new early-access shopping hours today, August 31, 2025, and will begin strictly enforcing the policy on September 1. Under the change, only Executive Membership holders will be allowed to enter warehouse locations one hour before the general membership opening time on weekdays and Sundays, and half an hour early on Saturdays.

According to Costco’s announcement, Executive Members will have exclusive access from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. local time Monday through Friday and on Sunday, with a 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. window on Saturdays; all other members must wait until the regular opening hour of 10 a.m. (9:30 a.m. on Saturdays). Signs at warehouse entrances indicated that Gold Star and Business members had until the end of today to adjust to the new schedule.

The policy, introduced June 30 with a two-month transition period, is designed to reward Executive Members-who pay $130 annually and comprise less than half of Costco’s membership but generate 73% of its sales-with more convenient shopping times and reduced crowding. Costco’s Gold Star and Business memberships, each $65 per year, do not include early-access privileges or cash-back rewards.

Costco’s enforcement of these hours coincides with the Labor Day holiday. Warehouses will close on Monday, September 1, in observance of Labor Day, with all members-regardless of tier-unable to shop in-store that day. Online ordering via Costco’s website and same-day services will remain available, though delivery schedules may be affected by the holiday weekend.