COSTCO shoppers are considering the value of their membership as the retailer prepares to lay off one of its departments.
The wholesale retailer is planning to reduce year-round book sales, opting to only sell them during the holiday period.
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Bookworms are outraged by the news first reported by The New York Times last week.
Sources familiar with the situation say that in January 2025, Costco will drop the books and only sell them between September and December.
Four publishing executives anonymously revealed the plans to the media outlet, claiming that the additional work associated with stocking books has become a problem for Costco.
This is because, unlike other items in the store, books need to be laid out by hand and turned over regularly for new releases.
However, the change could cost the retailer more than initially thought.
“With @Costco planning to stop selling books, I think it’s time to cancel our subscription,” said one customer he said on X, formerly Twitter.
“I’ll miss picking up a book every week on our shopping trip, but that’s okay.”
The buyer even suggested switching to one of Costco’s competitors.
“Is @SamsClub still selling books? Maybe we need to check them…” they added.
“SO SAD. BOOK PRICES WERE GOOD!!” another buyer he said.
Meanwhile, some have noted how this change will affect book lovers and gift buying.
“Having books at Costco and seeing stacks of them was really cool,” said one shopper he wrote on Facebook.
“I felt like it really helped the book clubs and the gift giving. Blech.”
“Terrible news for readers. I always bought books at Costco,” another added.
Costco members in Hawaii and Alaska are already accustomed to not having a regular section of books to browse, as sales have already been canceled in those areas.
However, the supposed plan to expand this withdrawal of books will be a big blow to publishers, according to market experts.
Costco Membership Sharing Guidelines
Costco has strict rules for subscription usage that shoppers must follow and has been cracking down on violators in recent years.
- Core Member Usage: Only the primary cardholder can use this Costco membership card. It is not allowed to share it for purchases, as the photo on the card must correspond to the person using it.
- Domestic Card: Each Prime Member can add one free Household Cardholder who lives at the same address. That person will receive their own membership card and can shop at Costco independently.
- Guest Policy: Members can bring up to two guests per Costco visit. However, only the member can make purchases. Guests must be accompanied by a member.
- Authorized cardholder: For an additional fee, you can add an authorized cardholder, such as a family member or friend, who does not reside at your address. They will receive their own card and will be able to make purchases independently.
Credit: Costco
“It’s an easy place to pick up the latest in a series you’re reading or buy a book for your child,” Brenna Connor, director of US Books at market research firm Circana, told the New York Times. stores.
“They are important for the book market in general.”
Due to the wholesale nature of Costco’s operations, it would order thousands of copies of books at once, making it big business for publishers.
Customers were also more likely to make impulse purchases while in the store, meaning sales are less likely to move to other outlets like Amazon or bookstores once they disappear from Costco.
US Sun has reached out to Costco for comment.
Meanwhile, a new Costco store is about to open its doors and is offering new members up to $40 in free cash.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
