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Retail giant Costco Wholesale is reportedly testing a way to ensure its customers retain their elite status.
Costco Insider, a website that claims to get its tips from readers, posted photos on social media Monday of what appears to be a tablet attached to a stand, along with a sign that reads: “You are requested to submit yours beforehand.” Scan membership card.” “Entering the warehouse” at the store in Issaquah, Washington.
“They check whether the photo matches the person. What do you think?!” Costco Insider wrote on both Facebook and X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
“Great for all of us with legitimate memberships,” one Costco shopper responded to X.
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“I'm so happy about it. I hate being attacked at the checkout for my card,” said another.
But not everyone is on board.
“I think this will lead to long lines and frustrate people!” wrote one Facebook user.
“Back at the entrance soon,” another woman commented.
Some social media users commented that their member photos are so old that they don't even look the same anymore.
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Non-members can use Costco pharmacies, the retail giant says on its customer service website. (Toronto Star Archives/Toronto Star via Getty Images) / Getty Images)
According to Costco Insider, Costco is headquartered next to the store where the membership card scanner is being tested.
Non-members can purchase prescriptions at the Costco pharmacy using cash, debit card, Costco Shop Cards or a Visa card. “However, you must be a paying member to enter the warehouse and purchase other items,” reads a response on Costco's customer service website.
According to a Jan. 4 press release from Costco, the company currently operates 871 warehouses, most of them in the United States and Puerto Rico. The company is also an international retailer with warehouses in Canada, Mexico, Japan, the United Kingdom, Korea, Australia, Taiwan, China, Spain, France, Iceland, New Zealand and Sweden.
Some customers believe that scanning membership cards at entrances will lead to long queues to enter stores. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
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Costco reported net sales of $26.15 billion for the retail month of December, up 9.9% year over year, the release said.
Costco did not immediately respond to a Fox Business request for comment, but membership card scanning is reportedly occurring at “some” locations, a spokesperson told McClatchy News.
Memberships at Costco are $60 per year for Gold Star and $120 for Executive Gold Star.