Costco, a U.S. supermarket, said it will strengthen its crackdown on those who share membership cards with acquaintances.
Costco reported on the 8th (local time) that it will use a member scanning device at the entrance of the store over the next few months, adding that “all members must scan a barcode or QR code on a physical or digital membership card before entering the store.”
“If you have a membership card without a photo, the store staff will check your identity,” he said. “You need to prepare an ID card with a photo attached in advance.” He added, “To avoid hassle, I recommend you visit the membership counter and take pictures.”
If you are a non-member, you must be accompanied by a member card holder to enter the store.
“Costco has tolerated borrowing other people’s membership cards to enter, but the stricter membership policy has made it more difficult for non-members to sneak in using other people’s cards,” CNN said.
The move is drawing attention as Costco has tightened its membership policy following its annual membership increase last month. Costco raised its membership fee from $60 to $65 and premium membership fees from $120 to $130, respectively, in the U.S. and Canada last month.
Most of Costco’s revenue comes from annual fees, and last year it earned $4.6 billion in membership fees, up 8% year-on-year.
Currently, there are 18 Costco stores in operation in Korea. The annual membership fee is 38,500 won for Gold Star, 33,000 won for business, and 80,000 won for executives.
Analysts say that the annual fee increase in the Americas is likely to lead to Korea. The annual fee in Korea was last raised in 2016.
SALLY LEE
US ASIA JOURNAL
