Big Changes You Can Expect When Shopping At Costco In 2025

The new year can (and often does) bring big changes to some of your favorite retailers. Whether through changes in pricing, labor, or even available products, chances are good you'll notice some differences as the year moves forward. With that said 2025, in particular, is poised to have more extensive changes than usual, thanks in large part to President Trump's proposed policies like tariffs (which consumers will ultimately pay for) and mass deportations (which can affect the labor market). Many of Trump's proposed policies could significantly and negatively impact the rate of inflation, which could lead to prolonged high interest rates. This can create a domino effect that affects everything from utilities to housing to your ability to purchase a vehicle.

While the potential for 2025's economic changes can feel overwhelming, focusing more specifically on the changes at individual stores or retailers that you care about most can make tackling these changes feel more manageable. As budgets tighten, it can be more important than ever to prioritize the places where you can get your absolute necessities. Of the retailers known for necessities, perhaps none is more loved (or inspires more loyalty) than Costco. With its classic warehouse layout and stalwart products, Costco can feel like a sure thing to consumers. Knowing what to expect, and even where to find the things you need can be a comforting experience for many consumers. However, like many retailers, some significant changes are coming to Costco in 2025.

Let's begin with the new things coming to Costco in 2025. For starters, Costco is opening brand new locations. During the company's current fiscal year (which began in September 2024), Costco announced that, during the company's current fiscal year (which began in September 2024), it planned to open 19 new domestic U.S. locations and 10 new international locations. According to Costco's website, seven of these new domestic stores will open in spring 2025 with locations throughout California, Texas, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Florida. Internationally, new Costco locations (that have already been announced) are slated for Japan and Australia.

More membership card scanners are coming to more Costco locations in 2025. These scanners, first introduced in 2024 (alongside an increase in membership prices) have helped Costco cut down on membership sharing while also taking the burden of membership verification away from their check-out process employees. Costco has also added additional features to its app, enabling customers to search their specific warehouse's inventory when shopping to ensure that what they're looking for is in-store that day. In slightly smaller news, Coca-Cola might also be joining the Costco food court lineup in 2025. After a 2013 cost-cutting swap to Pepsi products in their food court soda machines, Costco might be striking a deal to bring Coca-Cola products back. While still unconfirmed, this could spell good news for soda lovers out there. As always, Costco will continue to introduce new products into their warehouses. New products in January 2025 ranged from energy drinks to baseball hats to dog supplements.

Perhaps the most noticeable change you'll see at your local Costco in 2025 is the lack of books. Costco announced it would no longer sell books in their stores in 2025. With that said, it did specify they would bring physical books back into their stores for the holiday seasons and at select times on a non-regular basis. Evidently, the labor-intensive process of stocking the books ended up being the deciding factor for the company. It's also worth noting just how competitive online book sales have become, with a 2024 YouGov survey finding that 46% of consumers reported preferring to buy their books online. This steeper competition, mixed with increased labor costs has more than likely made selling physical books no longer cost efficient for many Costco retail locations.

Other things leaving Costco this year will be the ability to sit in the food court. Costco began removing the more traditional picnic tables in favor of standing-only high tables in late 2024, and the trend is anticipated to continue. Another change consumers might not enjoy is coming to Costco's bakery department. The store's famous mix and match muffin deal (which, in the past, has allowed consumers to buy two different flavors of six-pack muffins for $9.99). Costco is reportedly eliminating this deal in favor of single eight-pack muffins for $6.99, which is a noticeable price jump when comparing the cost per weight. Some customers have even reported that the new muffins are noticeably smaller than their predecessors (which is a classic example of shrinkflation).