Costco’s making some pretty major changes in 2025, and honestly, some of them are going to surprise you. From bringing back beloved menu items to completely changing how you shop, these updates are basically reshaping the entire warehouse experience. But the biggest shock? They’re discontinuing something that’s been around for years.
The combo pizza is finally coming back
After years of members complaining, Costco’s bringing back the combo pizza everyone’s been missing. But here’s the thing – it won’t be in the food court anymore. Instead, you’ll find it as a take-and-bake option in the deli section, which I mean, isn’t what people were expecting.
The new version comes with all the same toppings you remember. Pepperoni, Italian sausage, mushrooms, onions, and green peppers. They’ve improved the cheese blend though, and the crust’s been totally redesigned to crisp up better in home ovens. And that makes sense when you think about it – everyone’s oven is different, so you can customize how crispy you want it.
After trying these in test markets, members are saying they’re actually better than the original food court version. The freshness is just superior when you bake it at home. Plus, the pricing stays competitive, so families can still get that Costco pizza value they’re used to.
Books aren’t going to be available year-round anymore
Starting this January, Costco’s stopping year-round book sales at warehouse locations. It’s kind of a big deal for people who regularly browse the book section during their shopping trips. The book section’s been a staple forever, basically.
But they’re not completely getting rid of books. You’ll still find them from September through December, when holiday shopping picks up. This means you’ll need to plan ahead if you’re someone who buys books regularly at Costco. Does anyone actually prefer shopping this way? It seems like it’s going to be pretty inconvenient for regular book buyers.
The last time I was there during the holidays, the book section was packed anyway. So maybe this makes sense from their perspective – they’re optimizing floor space for products that sell consistently throughout the year. Publishers are going to have to adjust their strategies too, focusing more heavily on that crucial fall window.
Twenty-nine new warehouses opening worldwide
Costco’s planning a massive expansion with 29 new locations opening globally in 2025. That includes 26 brand-new warehouses and three relocations. It’s one of their biggest growth spurts ever, which is super exciting if you’ve been waiting for a location closer to you.
Six stores are opening in March alone. Locations range from California to Massachusetts, and they’re strategically placed to reduce overcrowding at existing stores. I’ve noticed the warehouses near me have been getting way too crowded lately, so this expansion should help with that congestion issue.
International growth is part of this too – new stores in Japan, Mexico, and Canada are in the works. Each warehouse brings around 250 jobs to the community, and Costco’s known for paying competitive wages with good benefits. These positions are always highly sought after.
New card scanners at entrances
The membership card scanning system at warehouse entrances is totally different now. Instead of employees checking your card visually, new scanners verify your membership automatically. It’s faster, honestly.
These scanners do more than just check membership status. They’re collecting real-time data on warehouse traffic, which helps management optimize staffing levels. And the technology prevents unauthorized entry, making sure membership benefits stay exclusive to paying members. Not that unauthorized entry was a huge problem before, but still.
Every time I’ve used the new scanners, entry’s been quicker than the old system. Privacy concerns have been addressed too – the data isn’t linked to your purchase history or personal information beyond basic membership verification.
Fresh sushi expanding to more locations
Costco’s expanding its sushi program to additional warehouses this year. If you haven’t tried their sushi yet, it’s prepared fresh daily by trained chefs, and the quality’s pretty impressive for a warehouse store. The pricing is competitive too, which is typical for Costco.
You’ll find everything from California rolls to specialty rolls with more elaborate ingredients. The fish meets Costco’s high standards for sourcing and sustainability, so you’re getting both quality and value. And they’re considering adding more varieties to the menu in select locations based on customer feedback.
Food court changes sparking reactions
The food court’s undergoing some notable changes that aren’t sitting well with everyone. Some locations are replacing traditional seating with standing tables, which is supposed to improve traffic flow during peak hours. But let’s be real – nobody wants to stand while eating their hot dog and pizza.
Menu modifications are happening too. The churro’s being removed, which is kind of sad since it’s been around forever. It’s making way for a Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie though, and early feedback on that’s been positive. Access policies have gotten stricter too – they’re enforcing member-only rules more aggressively at food court locations now.
Why does this keep happening with beloved menu items? First the combo pizza disappeared, now the churro’s going away. At least they’re adding new options, but change is always hard for loyal members who have their regular orders down to a science.
Membership fees going up with new perks
For the first time since 2024, membership fees are increasing. The Gold Star membership’s going from $60 to $65, and Executive membership’s jumping from $120 to $130. It’s not a massive increase, but it’s still more money out of your pocket annually.
Executive members are getting a higher maximum annual 2% reward though – it’s increased from $1,000 to $1,250. So if you’re a high-volume shopper, you can earn more cash back now. They’ve also added new perks like enhanced travel benefits and early access to select online sales. Basically, they’re trying to justify the fee increase with added value.
Despite the increase, membership growth stays strong. Members continue finding value in their Costco memberships, probably because the prices on merchandise remain competitive. The additional revenue’s being reinvested in infrastructure improvements like the new card scanning system and warehouse expansions anyway.
Surprise price drops on popular items
In a move that’s catching everyone off guard, Costco’s actually reducing prices on several popular items. Fresh Kirkland Signature chicken tenderloins, baguettes, and aluminum foil are all getting cheaper. This is happening while most retailers are raising prices, which makes it super noteworthy.
The price reductions show Costco’s ongoing commitment to member value. They’re possible because of improvements in supply chain efficiency and better negotiations with suppliers. Members are seeing savings across different departments – from fresh food to household essentials. It’s a welcome change given the current economic climate where everyone’s trying to stretch their budgets further.
What this means for your shopping
All these changes are going to impact how you shop at Costco moving forward. You’ll need to adjust your routine if you’re someone who buys books regularly – stock up during the fall months instead of spreading purchases throughout the year. The combo pizza’s back, but you’ll have to bake it yourself now, which honestly might be better anyway.
The membership fee increase is modest, and the enhanced benefits should offset the extra cost for most members. New warehouse locations mean shorter drives for some shoppers, and the improved entry system means less time waiting to get in. Even with some menu changes at the food court, Costco’s still offering solid value on their prepared foods. Though they do get crowded during lunch rushes, so timing your visit matters more now.
These updates represent Costco’s biggest transformation in recent years, but they’re staying true to their core mission of providing quality products at competitive prices. Whether you’re excited about the changes or missing the old ways, one thing’s clear – Costco isn’t staying static. They’re evolving with changing consumer preferences and market conditions.
