Controversial Policy Now in Place at Costco in Minnesota

A new policy is now in place at Costco locations across Minnesota, and it’s turning plenty of heads. The change has quickly become a hot topic, with shoppers split over whether it’s a smart move or a step too far.

To say that the Costco Wholesale chain is popular in the U.S. right now might be a bit of an understatement. As of September 2025, Costco is the third-largest retailer in the entire country, according to data from Retail Customer Experience, coming in behind Walmart and Amazon.

Costco’s New Shopping Hours Policy Sparks Heated Debate

Costco is also ranked at #11 on this year's list of Fortune 500 companies, and its market value is approximately $435 billion, placing it once again third in retail market capitalization after Amazon and Walmart, Wikipedia noted. But its new policy that just took effect is getting some pushback from loyal customers.

SEE ALSO: Costco Shoppers in MN Are Obsessed With This Product

You can find Costco Wholesale locations all over the place. The chain has 910 total warehouses worldwide, with 626 of them here in the U.S., according to data from Contimod. Closer to home, Costco currently operates 14 locations in the Land of 10,000 Lakes:

• Baxter
• Burnsville
• Chaska
• Coon Rapids
• Duluth
• Eagan
• Eden Prairie
• Maple Grove
• Maplewood
• Minneapolis
• Rochester
• St. Cloud
• St. Louis Park
• Woodbury

What Costco’s VIP Hours Mean for Minnesota Shoppers

But Costco's new 'VIP Hours' policy, which just went into effect at its locations in Minnesota and across the country, is raising eyebrows-- and tempers. According to a Costco Insider story, although the policy took effect earlier this summer, its grace period has now expired, and as of September 1st, the policy is being strictly enforced.

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Costco Insider explained Costco's VIP Hours policy like this:

VIP Hours mean exclusive early shopping hours for its Executive Members, offering enhanced access to its warehouses. The new policy allows Executive Members to shop from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM on Weekdays, 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM on Saturdays and 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM on Sundays.

However, now that the policy is being enforced, some Costco Business or Gold Star members aren't happy about having to wait to shop. This FOX 9 TV story says that some of the new policy 'has been met with a backlash from some customers with less expensive memberships,' with some saying the perk should be 'for all members.'

Backlash Grows as Shoppers Question Costco’s Membership Perks

Costco, however, likely instituted the policy as a way to make the store less crowded for its Executive Members, who pay $130 a year for a Costco membership-- while Business and Gold Star members pay $65 a year.

There's been no response from Costco management, so just like when some customers weren't happy in 2024 when the chain replaced its clam shell containers with plastic bags for its rotisserie chicken, it looks like this policy will likely stay in place. And while Costco is one of the top brands around today, will it ALWAYS be that way? Maybe not, seeing as some brands that were once very popular and well-known now no longer exist. Keep scrolling to see how many YOU remember.

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