Additional Changes at Costco in 2024

A few months ago I wrote a post describing six changes that were going to take place at Costco in 2024 (Changes Planned for Costco in 2024). It has been one of the most popular posts. Therefore, when I found this updated article with an additional five changes, I wanted to write about it so that people are up to date on the latest information.

11 Changes for Costco in 2024

1. Rotisserie Chicken Packaging Switch

The article mentions that Costco changed the packaging on its rotisserie chickens from plastic containers to plastic bags. The rationale for this change was that the new packaging is better for the environment due to using 75% less plastic. The author notes that members are split as to whether or not they like this change. 

Although I don’t eat them, I have written about these chickens many times (Costco Questions); (Costco Surprises); (An assortment of Costco facts (Part 1 of 2)))f. I don’t know if or how the packaging affects the chicken. However, the reduction in the use of plastic is always good and consistent with other packaging changes Costco has made (Product Review: Kirkland Signature Extra Fancy Unsalted Mixed Nuts).

2. A Change In Leadership

I wrote about this change in the original post.

3. Food Court Policy Changes

Another change for this year is that food courts will now be restricted to members. This change was made as a result of how busy the food courts were, especially near office buildings and construction sites. Apparently members were complaining about the crowds.

I wrote a post years ago about the food court being a place for people to go “”out” for lunch (Out for lunch…at Costco?) and a Costco service available for non-members (For those without a Costco membership). I can see how members may get frustrated by lines at the food court but I can also imagine that, for non-members who have been eating at the food court, this change could be frustrating.

4. New Membership Card Scanners

The article mentions a change that has started in a warehouse in Issaquah, WA. Members are required to have their membership cards scanned to show a picture of their face before entering the store. It is unclear at this point whether this change will be brought to other warehouses as well. 

I’m guessing this change is a way to cut down on the membership sharing (Costco is getting stricter.) It will be interesting to see if it becomes a policy at other stores as well. 

5. Food Court Swaps

The author draws attention to several changes on the food court menu. These changes include the Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie replacing the churro, the turkey sandwich replacing the roast beef sandwich, and the addition of chocolate ice cream.

I wrote in the original post about the cookie-churro swap. The sandwich is a newer change. The chocolate ice cream is also a change not mentioned in the original post. I don’t eat at the food court but I am curious about the chocolate ice cream. The vanilla ice cream is the same as sold in the store and I have reviewed it (Product Review: Kirkland Super Premium Vanilla Ice Cream). I wonder if the chocolate is the same brand (Humboldt creamery makes it for Costco) and if so if it will be sold in the store. In the vanilla review I commented on the recommendation that Costco sells the two pack with one vanilla and one chocolate and how good that would be. At the time I reviewed the vanilla ice cream I was “off” chocolate ice cream but I am back to loving it so having a very high quality version would be a treat.

6. Fresh Sushi Is Coming to More Warehouses

Another change for Costco in 2024 is the addition of fresh sushi. The article mentions that some locations had offered preprepared sushi and stores in Hawaii and Japan had been offering it fresh, the freshly made rolls in the new Kirkland signature sushi department at the Issaquah warehouse is a new concept for Costco. Apparently Costco plans to expand this department to more stores soon. 

I wrote about sushi at some stores (Costco in South Korea (International Series #2); (Costco in Japan (International Series #6)). I’m actually surprised that it is not a wider expansion given the popularity of sushi.

7. Price Decreases

According to the article, some items at Costco will undergo price reductions this year. These items include  batteries (from $18 to $16), reading glasses (from $19 to $17), beverages (e.g., San Pellegrino water from dropped from $17 to $15), and produce (e.g., $15 to $11). Other reductions to come include sporting goods and lawn and garden items.

I was surprised to read about these price decreases given my recent post about “shrinkflation” (“Shrinkflation” at Costco). I’ll be interested to see if there are any other upcoming decreases.

8. A Massive Amount of Store Openings

I wrote about this change in the original post. 

9. More App Improvements

I also wrote about this change in the original post.

10. A Membership Price Hike

This change was also discussed in the original post.

11. A New Store Concept

I wrote about this change in the original post as well. 

What do you think about the additional changes mentioned in this post?