Costco is cracking down on nonmembers entering its warehouses.
The big-box retailer is installing card scanners at store entrances nationwide, several of which were spotted recently in Tustin, Sherman Oaks and Santa Clarita.
The company on its online customer service page said the scanners would appear over the coming months.
“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,” Costco stated.
More retail news: Albertsons unveils list of 63 California stores to be sold ahead of trial
In a “we see you” nod to guests entering Costco warehouses while waving someone else’s membership card at the door attendant, the company said it will be matching photos to membership cards. So, if your Costco card or credit card doesn’t have a photo (or that photo is old, smeared or illegible), expect to be asked to show a photo ID as well.
The membership scanners come amid several changes at Costco warehouses.
The retailer earlier this month said it was raising membership fees for the first time in seven years. The new fees, taking effect Sept. 1, will raise the price of Costco’s Gold Star membership to $65 from $60 annually. The Executive membership is rising to $130 from $120.
Costco also replaced its popular churro with a 750-calorie chocolate chip cookie, and it switched the rotisserie chicken container with a plastic bag.
Related: Now at Costco: Ozempic prescriptions for some members
The changes didn’t go smoothly with all customers, some of whom expressed their ire on social media.
“First Costco puts rotisserie chickens hidden in a leaky plastic bag,” Long Beach Daddy commented on X, formerly Twitter. “Now I have to get scanned before entering the store? What’s next? $3 hot dogs and paying 25 cents to borrow a shopping cart?”
Also see: Move over rotisserie chicken, Costco’s hottest item is a $2,000 gold bar
Another X user named Green@masterofstink was a bit brazen when they cheered “less leeches in Costco.”
Astute shoppers will note that Costco does allow nonmembers in its stores to use its pharmacy and to buy liquor. California law prohibits membership clubs from excluding the public from alcohol sales, meaning customers can walk in and buy just booze without a Costco card.
Costco, which says it has 128 million cardholders in 73 million households, reports its earnings in September. Analysts expect the retailer to show growth of 3% or more.
If you’ve seen an entrance scanner at your Costco, be sure to tell us by sending an email to sgowen@scng.com
Related Articles
Data: Americans spending less time, more money on shopping
Lawsuits allege high levels of lead in General Mills’ Cocoa Puffs cereal
What to know about recalled Boar’s Head deli meats linked to deadly listeria outbreak
Starbucks online ordering returns after app outage
Target’s latest trade-in program will recycle used denim
