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COSTCO has unveiled a raft of changes to its stores in 2025, sparking a mixed reaction among customers.
There are three big adjustments coming to the retail giant next year, with some designed to bolster its offerings while others will be brought in to streamline consumers’ experience in stores.
Costco shoppers are bracing for three major changes in stores next year[/caption]
Costco[/caption]
Firstly, Costco is rumored to be bringing back Coca-Cola to its soda fountains sometime next year, according to a post on social media.
A user on Reddit said: “Good news for my fellow Costco-going [diet] coke enjoyers. My well-placed source said early 2025.”
Though the company used to sell Coca-Cola products in its food court, it stopped doing so in 2013.
Currently, Pepsi is being served in Costco food courts.
The Reddit post sparked excitement from other users, with many Coke fans overjoyed at the drink’s return.
Costco stopped stocking Coke in its fountains 11 years ago after a dispute over distribution costs, according to Business Insider, and has stocked Pepsi products ever since.
But the change is likely to be gradual, after the initial changeover from Coke to Pepsi was a slow process.
LAYOUT CHANGE
Secondly, Costco is expected to stop stocking books all year round.
The policy shift, first reported by The New York Times, will come into force in January 2025.
Costco executives said books will only be sold between September and December, causing outrage among bookworms.
Members of the senior leadership team said books may appear in certain stores from time to time, but that they would not be there throughout the year.
Costco chiefs have already removed books from shelves in stores in Alaska and Hawaii, but the policy will be rolled out nationwide.
But, a report in Publisher’s Weekly suggests that books will be sold all year round at 100 stores.
MEMBERSHIP SCANNERS
Thirdly, Costco shoppers will face another major change in 2025 after the wholesaler decided to install scanners at the front of warehouses.
Membership scanners were first rolled out earlier this year in a bid to stop non-members from abusing the benefits of a subscription.
Rather than just show their card to a staffer, shoppers must now put it under a machine to verify their identity.
This policy will be continued to be rolled out to stores in 2025.
The change has led to a bunch of unintended consequences.
Customers said they were “liking your company less” while others have voiced outrage at long lines in front of stores.
The U.S. Sun has extensively reported how members reportedly had to wait in freezing temperatures outside warehouses before scanning their cards.
Shoppers felt particularly angered as they believed retail chiefs were treating members like criminals.
The U.S. Sun reports on all things Costco, including how bosses hiked the price of a membership for the first time in seven years earlier this year.
A standard subscription now costs $65 instead of $60.
Costco's membership scanners
Costco has unveiled membership scanners at its store entrances.
In August 2024, the retailer released a statement about the scanners on its website.
“Over the coming months, membership scanning devices will be used at the entrance door of your local warehouse,” it wrote.
“Once deployed, prior to entering, all members must scan their physical or digital membership card by placing the barcode or QR Code against the scanner.
“Guests must also be accompanied by a valid member for entry.
“If you have any questions or concerns, there will always be an attendant at the door to assist you!
“If your membership is inactive, expired, or you would like to sign up for a new membership, the attendant will ask that you stop by the membership counter prior to entering the warehouse to shop.
“Additionally, if your membership card does not have a photo, please be prepared to show your valid photo ID.
“We encourage you to stop by the membership counter to have a photo taken to have on your card.”
