You’ll notice the next time you pull into a Costco lot that entry and exit feel more controlled, and that’s intentional. Costco now scans memberships at entrances and checks receipts at exits to restrict non-members and reduce shoplifting, which keeps prices lower for paying members.
This change affects how people move through the warehouse and how long they spend at checkout, so expect a slightly different shopping rhythm. The post will explain how the new entrance and exit practices work and what they mean for price, convenience, and membership perks.
Inside Costco’s New Entrance and Exit Rules
Costco now enforces membership checks, limits early access to certain members, and inspects receipts at exits to reduce shoplifting and unauthorized entry. These measures affect how shoppers enter, who can shop early, and what they must show when leaving.
Membership Verification and Photo ID Checks
Costco requires members to present a valid membership card at the entrance. Staff scan the card and, in many locations, a camera displays the cardholder’s photo on a screen so employees can match the face to the card before allowing entry.
Shoppers who use a spouse or company card may be asked for photo ID if the pictured person is not the one entering. Non-members and guests without proper credentials are typically denied entry; business members and casual guests should plan to bring appropriate ID or be prepared to shop with a member.
This step aims to stop people using photocopies or borrowed cards to enter warehouses. Members who share cards frequently may face more checks, and Costco’s rollout varies by warehouse, so customers should expect differences in enforcement between stores.
Restricted Early Entry for Executive Members
Costco has designated early-morning access windows for Executive members at many warehouses. During those hours, only Executive-level membership or other explicitly allowed tiers can enter; standard and guest access is commonly restricted.
Executive members should carry their physical or digital membership card to confirm eligibility for early access. Business membership rules may differ by location; businesses that hold Executive-level accounts should verify their hours with the local warehouse to avoid being turned away.
The goal targets congestion and misuse of early hours while rewarding Executive members with quieter shopping and first access to limited items. Shoppers who value early access may consider upgrading to Executive to avoid entry issues.
Receipt Verification at Exits
Costco employees at exits may ask shoppers to show receipts for items leaving the warehouse. Cashier-printed receipts, mobile digital receipts, and membership-linked purchase histories can all be used to verify purchases.
If a receipt doesn’t match visible items or a shopper cannot produce proof of purchase, staff may request a bag check or look up the transaction on the member’s account. This applies to regular members, Executive members, and business accounts equally.
The check focuses on preventing unpaid merchandise from leaving the warehouse and deterring organized theft. Customers should keep receipts accessible—paper or digital—and consider keeping high-value items in clear view of cashiers to speed exit checks.
Relevant reporting on these changes appears in coverage such as The Sun’s piece on Costco’s entrance and exit rule adjustments (https://www.the-sun.com/news/15923644/costco-confirms-strict-entrance-exit-rule-shoppers-theft/).
Impact on Members and Shopping Experience
Customers notice stricter access controls, longer entry times for some, and more frequent receipt checks at exits. These changes shift who shops early, how employees manage doors, and which items draw more attention on the sales floor.
Reactions From Members and Employees
Many Executive members appreciate exclusive early access and feel the extra checks protect their investment in a paid membership. Some standard Gold Star and Business members express frustration when they arrive during the new restricted early hours and are turned away; that friction shows up in social posts and member service calls.
Frontline employees report clearer procedures but higher interaction volume at entrances. Staff must scan memberships and IDs more often, which increases staffing needs during peak entry times. A minority of employees worry the checks slow traffic at exits and create awkward confrontations during receipt verifications.
Why Costco Is Doubling Down on Security
Costco frames the tighter entrance/exit rules as a way to reduce shrinkage by limiting anonymous foot traffic. The membership requirement—especially visible with Executive-level early hours—creates an accountability layer that theft-deterrent systems alone can’t provide.
Higher membership adherence also supports investment in other measures, like scanners at doors and additional floor staff. Executives argue that lower shrinkage helps keep prices low for members and preserves availability of high-demand items such as rotisserie chicken and bulk organic foods. The company highlights that a small membership fee increase would be less likely when loss rates remain low.
Effects on Popular Products and Store Crowds
Items with strong impulse demand — rotisserie chicken, limited-run organic foods, and seasonal bulk buys — see more concentrated early-morning traffic from Executive members. That concentrates stocking pressure into narrower windows, prompting stores to adjust restock schedules.
Standard and Business members who shop later may find fewer out-of-stock notices for shelf-stable bulk items, but perishable favorites can sell out faster. Stores report a slight redistribution of crowds throughout the day, with entrance checks smoothing peak surges but lengthening entry lines during VIP hours.
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