Recently, Costco, the wholesale retail chain, announced that it is continuing with its expansion plans in the country, which includes opening more stores in different U.S. states. More branches will be opening soon; if you’re a customer, here’s where they will be located and when they will begin operating. Take note!
How many stores will Costco open in the United States?
According to the company, the upcoming series of openings includes four stores.
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Where and when will the new Costco stores open?
The openings will take place throughout August; some of the branches will open next week, so there’s not much time left. Here’s the list of new locations and their expected opening dates:
- The Villages, Florida (opening on August 6)
- Richland, Washington (grand opening on August 8)
- Allen, Texas (date to be confirmed)
- Spring Valley, Nevada (date to be confirmed)
Where has Costco recently opened stores?
Throughout 2025, the retail chain has expanded across several U.S. states with new store openings. Some of these include:
- Brentwood, California
- Highlands, California
- Sharon, Massachusetts
- Genesee County, Michigan
- Prosper, Texas
- Weatherford, Texas
- Stuart, Florida
- Midland, Texas
What is Costco’s new free sample policy?
One of the perks of shopping at Costco is that you’re not limited in the number of free samples you can take — you can walk by the same aisle and ask for more as many times as you like. But now, the company has started to enforce a much stricter rule when it comes to handing out free food or beverages.
The new policy states that food or drink samples will not be given to children who are not accompanied by an adult. So, if a child wants to try something, they must be with a parent or a responsible adult.
The reason is simple: the employees handing out the free samples don’t know if the child is allergic to any ingredients, which could pose a health risk.
What are Costco’s new hours?
Those with an Executive Membership will now be able to shop earlier during the following times:
- Monday to Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
- Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
- Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Outside of these hours, Costco locations will continue to operate under their regular schedule:
- Monday to Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or 8:30 p.m.
- Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
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What types of memberships does Costco offer?
Gold Star Membership
This membership is ideal for those who shop occasionally, as it comes with a more affordable annual fee. It also includes the following benefits:
- Access to the warehouse
- Access to Costco gas stations
- Free household card
- Access to Costco services, such as car and home insurance, Costco Auto Program, pet insurance, and bottled water delivery.
Executive Membership
This membership offers a 2% annual reward, along with exclusive discounts and promotions. The benefits include:
- All the benefits of Gold Star
- 2% annual reward on qualifying purchases
- Free household card
- Access to Costco services with discounts on selected services
How much do Costco memberships cost?
- Gold Star Membership: $65 per year
- Executive Membership: $130 per year
Can I shop at Costco without a membership?
To shop at any Costco warehouse, you must be a member. However, those without a membership can purchase prescription medications freely or buy any item in the warehouse using a gift card.
