Costco’s latest policy change is stirring up serious unrest among its workforce. As of June 30, 2025, the retail giant rolled out new shopping hours for its Executive tier members, allowing them to shop an hour earlier. This decision, while a perk for loyal customers, has left many employees feeling sidelined and disrupted.
According to the Daily Mail, here’s the crux: Costco’s new policy, effective nationwide, lets Executive members shop from 9:00 am to 10:00 am on weekdays and Sundays, and from 9:00 am to 9:30 am on Saturdays, but it’s causing significant friction with workers who weren’t consulted.
This change targets Executive members, who pay a hefty $130 annual fee and are seen as Costco’s most devoted customers. Before the policy took effect, these members reacted positively to the early access perk. The company itself emphasized this intent, stating in an email to staff that they aim to “reward them for their commitment.”
However, the rollout has hit a nerve with employees. Holly Dickey White, a Costco worker, publicly voiced frustration over the lack of consultation before the change. She highlighted how even a small shift in hours can upend personal lives.
“I understand it's 'just an hour' but for a lot of employees it is making life difficult, getting kids to school or babysitters,” White said.
“If you are caring for an elderly member of your family, it is disrupting our lives!!” she added, underscoring the real-world impact on staff.
Many workers echo White’s concerns, especially those on early shifts or juggling multiple jobs. An anonymous employee on Reddit shared, “I'm a morning cooler driver and I already struggle sleeping and waking up for work starting at 4 am.”
Another Reddit user, also anonymous, noted, “I'm not excited to come in an hour earlier, and get even less sleep than I already do, especially working two jobs.” They did acknowledge the benefit for Executive members, calling it a “nice perk” for them.
The lack of prior notice or input has only fueled employee discontent. Some, like an anonymous Reddit poster, hope for schedule adjustments to offset the lost prep time, stating they “barely make it as it is” before opening.
Costco’s recent moves extend beyond just shopping hours. The company has also extended gas station hours and added more pumps at select locations, potentially boosting customer satisfaction. Yet, not all changes have landed well with the public.
For instance, the switch from Pepsi to Coca-Cola products in food courts, announced last year, has sparked mixed reactions on social media. Some customers expressed anger after spotting a Coke machine in a California store. Meanwhile, food court items like the “overpoweringly sweet” Frozen Strawberry Lemonade have also drawn backlash.
Despite the employee unrest, White tried to end on a hopeful note. “Greet us with a Smile, it will help, I PROMISE!! Costco is still an awesome employer and we will all get adjusted to these new hours!” she urged.
For financially savvy readers, this story raises questions about Costco’s balancing act between customer perks and employee well-being. While rewarding Executive members makes business sense—after all, loyalty drives revenue—ignoring staff concerns could risk morale and productivity, which ultimately hits the bottom line. DailyMail.com has reached out to Costco for comment on these employee claims, but no response has been reported yet.
As a shopper or investor, keep an eye on how Costco navigates this tension. If you’re an Executive member, enjoy the early access, but consider the broader impact—maybe flash that smile White mentioned. For those building wealth, Costco’s stock remains a staple in many portfolios, but monitor how such operational hiccups might affect long-term growth.