Costco fans may be in for a few surprises next year! 2026 is shaping up to be a turning point in a few ways for the warehouse giant. From new store formats to stricter membership rules and even more warehouse openings, there are a few changes on the horizon to prepare for.
Below, we break down six major changes coming to Costco in 2026—and how they could impact your next shopping trip.
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1. New "Secret" Store Layouts
Costco is testing alternative store formats—and some of them may look nothing like the warehouse you’re used to. The company has already opened a strictly furniture-focused location in Alaska, The Sun reports. Here, customers browse in person but have items shipped instead of taking them home. In 2026, shoppers can expect even more of these specialized layouts across the country.
One example already announced is a Costco gas station opening next spring in Mission Viejo, California with no connected warehouse. These experimental layouts are designed to meet the needs of specific communities, so expect more unique Costco concepts to start appearing nationwide soon!
2. More Costco Business Centers Are Coming
Small business owners, take note. Next year, Costco will expand its Business Centers. These warehouses are geared toward restaurants, offices, and retail shops rather than everyday household shoppers.
Here’s how they differ from the standard warehouse:
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Fewer home goods, no clothing, jewelry, books, or seasonal gift tables
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No pharmacy, optical, photo, or tire centers
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Larger bulk quantities + more commercial-grade options
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Expanded food inventory (produce, meat, frozen goods, paper products)
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Early opening hours around 7 AM
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Delivery available for most items
There are currently about two dozen Business Centers in major U.S. cities, and more are expected in 2026 as Costco leans further into servicing businesses at scale.
3. More Warehouses
Costco isn’t slowing down its expansion anytime soon. After adding 10 new warehouse locations recently, the company plans to open around 35 new warehouses in fiscal 2026, including several relocations to larger facilities, according to MSN.
Growth remains a top priority, both in the U.S. and internationally. So whether you’ve been waiting for a warehouse closer to home or hoping your local one gets upgraded, 2026 might be the year it happens.
4. Coke Is Returning To The Food Court
Coca-Cola lovers rejoice! In what may be the most emotional Costco news for soda drinkers everywhere, Coke is back. This beloved beverage is replacing Pepsi in food courts after more than a decade. Many warehouses have already started the transition, and Costco is expected to continue rolling out Coca-Cola products through 2026.
If you’ve missed grabbing a $1.50 hot dog meal with a Coke instead of Pepsi… your moment has arrived.
5. Membership Sharing Is Getting Harder
No more casual card borrowing. Costco has already begun cracking down on shared memberships, and the rollout is continuing expand nationwide next year. Members will now need to scan their card and show ID when entering or checking out—especially at self-checkout stations.
This means if your friend, sibling, or roommate has been sneaking in with someone else’s card, they might hit a roadblock at the door.
6. Some Departments Will Shrink or Disappear
Costco is quietly streamlining. Shoppers can expect to see fewer low-profit departments, including books and some seasonal segments. Instead, the company plans to fill more shelf space with best-selling categories, like groceries, appliances, home essentials, and consumer staples that drive revenue.
So, sorry, book lovers! This means you may notice smaller book tables or reduced rotation of limited-time product categories.
