Costco’s Upcoming Changes and Global Retail Growth
Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST) is set to introduce four significant membership perks in 2026, following a controversial benefit for its Executive cardholders that was implemented in 2025. The global retail industry is projected to grow from $29.8 trillion in 2026 to $41.5 trillion by 2031, marking a compound annual growth rate of nearly 6.9%, according to Mordor Intelligence.
The new perks include requiring digital membership scanning at food courts, opening Costco’s first stand-alone gas station in Mission Viejo, California, expanding pre-scan checkout technology to reduce waiting times by up to 20%, and enhancing prescription drug price transparency in partnership with Navitus. Currently, approximately 74.3% of Costco’s net sales come from Executive members, who represent 48.8% of the company’s global paying members.
In 2024, Costco increased its annual membership fees to $65 for Gold Star and Business members, and to $130 for Executive members. These high-margin membership fees are essential to Costco’s operating income, making member satisfaction crucial for the company’s long-term success.
