After raising membership fees in September, Costco is preparing for another significant shift: starting in January 2025, the retailer will eliminate its book section from most stores.
Costco to phase out books in 2025
In June, The New York Times reported that Costco plans to stop selling books year-round across its more than 600 U.S. locations. Four anonymous publishing executives revealed the details, noting that the chain will only stock books during the holiday season, from September to December, and sporadically at other times.
However, not all stores will lose their book sections entirely. Publisher’s Weekly recently clarified that books will still be available year-round in about 100 Costco locations across the country.
The decision reportedly stems from operational challenges. Stocking books requires significant manual labor, as they must be placed on tables by hand, unlike other products that can be moved with forklifts. Additionally, the rise of online shopping has reduced the demand for physical book purchases in stores.
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Costco membership fees: How much do they cost now?
Costco raised its membership fees for the first time in six years on September 1. The price hike applies to its Gold Star, Business, and Executive memberships.
The retailer explained that membership fees help offset operational costs, allowing them to maintain low prices for customers. “A moderate increase in fees enables us to offer even greater value to our members,” the company said at the time.
Here’s the updated pricing:
- Gold Star Membership: $65 annually (previously $60)
- Business Membership and Additional Business Cards: $65 annually
- Executive Membership: $130 annually (a $65 base fee plus a $65 upgrade for Executive benefits)
A Look at Costco’s Global Reach
Costco currently operates 892 warehouses worldwide, including 615 in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Other locations include 108 in Canada, 40 in Mexico, 35 in Japan, 29 in the United Kingdom, 19 in Korea, 15 in Australia, and several more across Europe and Asia. The retailer also runs e-commerce sites in countries like the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Japan.
Original article written by Corina González, translated with the assistance of AI and edited by Greg Heilman.
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