One of the great things about Costco is that they continually make improvements and updates traditional practices. And for 2026, there are several changes coming to Costco that you should be aware of. Whether it’s updating old traditions and policies or creating easier systems for a more enjoyable shopping experience, check out these changes heading to your local warehouse soon.
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4. Bakery Section
One of the best changes coming to Costco this year is the change in their bakery section. Instead of the old process of filling out a paper form to order a custom cake, you can now easily do so in the Costco app. CEO Ron Vachris hopes that this will reduce the clunkiness of the process. Not only will customers be able to order custom cakes through the app, but they can also order party platters with just a few taps on their phone.
4. Pharmacy Transparency
At the start of 2026, Costco officially partnered with Navitus, which brought price transparency to prescription drugs. The partnership saw the launch of a cost-plus pricing model through Costco’s Pharmacy, which is available for prescriptions filled at retail and mail order locations. Through the model, drug costs will be based on what Costco pays to acquire a drug, in addition to a fixed markup and fee for pharmacy services the company offers. According to Business Wire, Navitus hopes that this change will offer the “level of transparency in drug pricing we believe should be the industry norm.”
3. Food Court
Customers might be excited to hear about this change. Apparently, members will soon have to show their membership at the food court in order to grab some food. While it adds an extra step to the process, it’s being implemented to prevent non-members from using perks that are only available for members. According to signs posted on Reddit, some warehouses have had this technology since 2024, but more warehouses are getting stricter with non-members purchasing at the food court.
2. New Checkout Technology
Another one of the biggest changes coming to Costco this year is its new checkout technology. According to The Street, CEO Ron Vachris said that they’ve “engaged in some ‘Scan & Go done by Costco’ kind of tests that we’re doing out there that have been extremely successful in moving people through the lines and expediting the transactions.” This would see customers scanning items on their phone and paying rather than waiting in a line, speeding up the shopping process entirely.
1. Return Policy
It’s not only the food court that Costco is getting strict about. The iconic return policy has quietly seen some changes. The famous no-questions-asked policy with a full refund is no longer the case. According to The Independent, workers are now requiring extra proof of purchase for some returns, with managers even checking how often members return items.