Costco is quietly preparing a slate of 2026 upgrades that are designed to make your membership more valuable, not more complicated. From new warehouses to stricter food court rules, the changes focus on access, speed and protecting member-only perks. Here are four shifts you can expect to actually improve your next warehouse run.
1) Expansion of New Warehouses
Expansion of new warehouses is at the center of Costco’s 2026 strategy, with reporting on upcoming new locations highlighting how aggressively the chain is growing. Coverage of planned changes notes that additional warehouses and continued international growth are key priorities, giving members in more suburbs and regional areas shorter drives and better access to bulk savings. For you, that means less time on the road and more competition between nearby clubs, which can translate into sharper pricing and broader assortments.
Internationally, Costco’s 2026 roadmap includes fresh sites in markets like Australia, where detailed rundowns of major changes in 2026 emphasize new warehouses as a pillar of growth. As these locations open, you can expect more localized products, from regional produce to country-specific Kirkland Signature items, reflecting how the chain tailors inventory to local tastes. The broader footprint also supports better online fulfillment, so click-and-collect and delivery options should gradually become more reliable and widespread.
2) Rollout of Self-Checkout Technology
Rollout of self-checkout technology is another 2026 upgrade aimed squarely at your time in line. Reports on Costco’s upcoming changes describe a push to modernize front-end operations, while separate coverage of big changes in 2026 underscores that self-checkout is expected to appear in more warehouses. Earlier accounts of self-checkout technology trials show the chain testing scanners and payment stations that can handle full carts, not just a few items.
For members, the payoff is shorter waits and more control over the pace of your trip, especially during peak weekend rushes. Self-checkout lanes also free up staff to handle complex transactions, membership questions and high-value items that still require an associate. Analysts note that these systems fit into broader Changes Costco has planned for 2026, including digital upgrades to its online presence, so you should see a smoother handoff between app, website and in-warehouse experiences.
3) Stricter Food Court Access Rules
Stricter food court access rules may sound harsh, but they are designed to protect the value of your paid membership. Detailed rundowns of planned food court rules and other 2026 shifts explain that non-members could be turned away as the chain tightens enforcement. That builds on earlier announcements that, “Effective April 8, 2024, an active Costco membership card will be required to purchase items from our food court. You can join today. Please,” as one food court notice put it.
Looking ahead, sources outlining food court changes and membership-only access suggest that by 2026, enforcement will be consistent whether the food court is inside the warehouse or outside near the entrance. For you, that means shorter lines, better seating availability and a clearer distinction between member and non-member perks. It also reinforces the idea that low-priced staples like the hot dog combo are a benefit you help subsidize, not a public concession stand.
4) Enhanced Membership Verification Measures
Enhanced membership verification measures are set to touch everything from the entrance to the soda fountain. A detailed breakdown of membership crackdowns and Coca-Cola changes describes how Costco is tightening ID checks and experimenting with tweaks to Coca-Cola offerings to keep discounts focused on paying members. Other coverage of key member updates notes that stricter card checks at self-checkout and the food court are part of the same push.
Food court enforcement is already ramping up, with reports that Costco will crack down on non-members by requiring valid cards before orders are placed. Separate analysis of membership-verification technology describes scanners that confirm your status at the counter, reducing card sharing and reselling of member-only deals. For loyal shoppers, these moves help preserve margins that fund low prices, while also making sure that limited-time promotions and beverage partnerships are reserved for people who actually pay the annual fee.
More from Willow and Hearth:
Leave a Reply