If you’ve been shopping at Costco for a while, get ready for some serious changes coming your way. The warehouse giant is shaking things up in 2025, and some of these announcements are going to make you really happy while others might have you scratching your head. From bringing back something everyone has been begging for to completely changing how you get into the store, these updates are the biggest transformation the company has made in years. Whether you’re a weekend warrior who fills up two carts or someone who just stops by for the famous hot dog, these changes are going to affect how you shop.
The legendary combo pizza is finally coming back
Remember when Costco discontinued the combo pizza and it felt like a piece of your soul died? Well, there’s good news. After years of members posting sad messages online and practically starting petitions, Costco decided to bring it back. But there’s a twist that might actually be better than the original. Instead of getting it hot and ready from the food court like before, you’ll find it in the deli section as a take-and-bake option. This means you can take it home and cook it in your own oven whenever you want.
The new version comes loaded with all the good stuff you remember including spicy Italian sausage, pepperoni, green peppers, onions, and mushrooms. They’ve actually upgraded the cheese blend and developed a better crust that gets super crispy at home. People who’ve already tried it in test markets say it might even taste better than the food court version because it’s fresher when you bake it yourself. Plus, you can control exactly how crispy you want it and even add extra toppings if you’re feeling creative. The price stays reasonable too, so families can still grab a quick dinner without spending a fortune.
Books are disappearing from most of the year
If you’re someone who likes browsing the book section while pushing your massive cart around, you need to know about this change. Starting this month, Costco is pulling books from the warehouse floor for most of the year. You’ll only find them from September through December now, which is basically the holiday shopping season. This is a pretty big deal if you’ve been counting on finding bestsellers and those huge coffee table books all year long. The company says they need the floor space for other products, which makes sense when you think about how packed those stores already are.
Don’t panic completely though because you can still order books through Costco.com during the off months. The good news is that when books do return in the fall, the selection will be bigger and better than ever. If you’re a regular book buyer, you’ll need to adjust your shopping habits and maybe stock up during those four months. Some members are already planning to grab extra copies of books as gifts when they’re available, and honestly that’s not a bad strategy considering how good the deals usually are during the holiday season.
Twenty-nine new warehouses are opening this year
Costco is going on a building spree in 2025 with plans to open 29 new locations around the world. Six of these stores are opening in March alone, with spots ranging from California to Massachusetts. If you’ve ever driven 30 minutes or more to reach your nearest Costco, there’s a chance one of these new locations might be closer to you. The company is putting warehouses in areas that have been underserved, which means shorter drives and less crowded stores for everyone. Each new store brings about 250 jobs to the community, and those positions usually pay better than typical retail jobs.
The expansion isn’t just happening in the United States either. New stores are planned for Japan, Mexico, and Canada as part of this growth push. This is one of the biggest expansion years in the company’s history, which shows they’re doing pretty well despite economic uncertainty. If your local warehouse feels like a zoo on weekends, these new locations should help spread out the crowds. The massive expansion also means Costco is betting that more people want to shop there, which probably isn’t a bad bet considering how many people are trying to save money on groceries these days.
New scanners are changing how you enter the store
Walking into Costco is about to feel different because they’re installing new membership card scanners at warehouse entrances. Instead of showing your card to a person who barely glances at it, you’ll scan it yourself at these new machines. The technology is supposed to make getting into the store faster, and it also helps Costco track how many people are shopping at different times. Some members worry about privacy, but the company says the data is only used for managing store operations and isn’t connected to what you actually buy inside.
The real benefit here is that entrance lines should move quicker during busy times. The scanners also prevent non-members from sneaking in, which has apparently been more of a problem than most people realize. If you’re worried about technology being complicated, don’t be because these scanners are simple to use. You just hold your card up to the machine like you would at a parking garage, and the gate opens. The whole process takes about two seconds, which is way faster than fumbling through your wallet while people wait behind you.
Fresh sushi is showing up in more locations
If you love sushi but hate paying restaurant prices, you’ll be happy to know that Costco is adding fresh sushi counters to more warehouses. Trained sushi chefs prepare everything fresh each day, and the selection includes everything from basic California rolls to fancier specialty options. The quality is surprisingly good for grocery store sushi, and the prices are way better than what you’d pay at an actual sushi restaurant. This is perfect for those nights when you want something quick and healthy but don’t feel like cooking or spending a ton of money eating out.
The fish used in the sushi meets strict quality standards, so you’re not getting sketchy seafood from who knows where. People who’ve tried it say it tastes fresh and the portions are generous, which is exactly what you’d expect from Costco. The sushi expansion has been so successful that some locations are adding more varieties to the menu. If your warehouse doesn’t have it yet, keep checking because they’re rolling it out to additional stores throughout the year. It’s become a popular grab-and-go option for families who need dinner in a hurry.
The food court is getting a makeover
Some changes are happening at the famous Costco food court that might annoy you at first. Several locations are replacing regular seating with standing tables, which sounds terrible until you realize it actually helps with the crazy crowds during lunch and dinner rushes. The menu is changing too, and not everything is good news. The churro is being removed, which will definitely upset some people who consider it their post-shopping reward. But before you get too sad, they’re adding a Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie that early testers say is really good.
Another big change is that food courts are now strictly for members only, with enforcement being way more serious than before. No more bringing your non-member friends to grab a cheap hot dog while you shop. The classic hot dog and pizza combo is staying though, so at least those staples aren’t going anywhere. These changes are all about managing the massive crowds that pack the food court, especially on weekends when it feels like half your city is there trying to get lunch.
Membership fees went up but you get more back
Nobody likes paying more for anything, but Costco raised its membership fees for the first time since 2024. The basic Gold Star membership jumped from sixty dollars to sixty-five dollars per year, while the Executive membership increased from one hundred twenty dollars to one hundred thirty dollars. Before you get upset, the Executive membership now offers a higher cash back reward. The maximum annual two percent reward increased from one thousand dollars to one thousand two hundred fifty dollars, which is great if you spend a lot at Costco throughout the year.
Executive members also get new perks including better travel benefits and early access to certain online sales. If you do most of your shopping at Costco, that extra cash back can easily cover the membership fee increase and then some. Despite the price increase, membership numbers are still growing, which tells you people think it’s worth it. The money from higher fees is going toward things like the new card scanners and building those 29 new warehouses, so at least you know where your extra five or ten dollars is going.
Some popular items just got cheaper
While most stores are raising prices on everything, Costco actually lowered prices on several popular items. Fresh Kirkland Signature chicken tenderloins, baguettes, and aluminum foil all got price cuts, which is pretty unusual in today’s economy. This happened because Costco improved its supply chain and negotiated better deals with suppliers. When you’re buying in bulk like Costco does, even small savings per unit add up to big price reductions for shoppers. These aren’t tiny decreases either – we’re talking about noticeable savings on stuff you probably buy regularly.
The price drops are showing up across different departments from fresh food to household essentials. For people trying to stretch their grocery budget, these price reductions make a real difference. It’s nice to see a company actually lowering prices instead of constantly raising them like everyone else seems to be doing. Stock up on these items while the prices are good, because there’s no guarantee they’ll stay this low forever. Between the membership fee increase and these price decreases, frequent shoppers are probably still coming out ahead financially.
Shopping trips cost more than you think
Have you ever tried guessing how much your Costco trip will cost before checking out? Most people are terrible at it because those bulk sizes and impulse buys add up way faster than you expect. One family tried this guessing game and their estimates ranged from two hundred forty dollars to six hundred seventy dollars. The actual total ended up being somewhere in between, but the point is that it’s really hard to predict what you’ll spend. Those giant carts hold so much stuff that you lose track of what you’re actually buying, and before you know it, you’re spending way more than you planned.
Part of the problem is that everything comes in large quantities, so even though you’re getting a good deal per item, you’re still spending a lot upfront. A typical shopping trip can easily hit four or five hundred dollars if you’re stocking up on meat, household items, and snacks. The key is going in with a list and actually sticking to it, which is easier said than done when you see all those sample stations and seasonal items. Setting a rough budget before you go helps, even if you end up going over by a bit. At least you won’t get to the register and have a complete shock when they tell you the total.
These changes show that Costco is trying to balance keeping members happy while dealing with real-world challenges like crowded stores and rising costs. Some updates like the combo pizza return and price decreases are going to make people excited, while others like losing year-round books might be disappointing. The massive expansion and technology upgrades show the company is investing in making the shopping experience better for everyone. Whether these changes work out remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – your Costco trips in 2025 are going to look different than they did last year.
