In recent news about the US membership-based chain store Costco, various updates and changes have caught the attention of both the media and consumers. Following the announcement of an increase in membership fees, Costco quietly introduced a new feature that has excited some members while others hold differing opinions.
For members who have been accustomed to calling or physically visiting their local Costco stores to check for specific inventory items, those days might be coming to an end or soon to be limited. This is because Costco has discreetly launched a “search warehouse inventory” tool on its mobile application (APP) for some customers, a move that Fox News views as a game-changing new feature.
The tool is currently available in specific markets, including areas near the Costco headquarters in Seattle, allowing shoppers to see if a desired product is in stock at local stores, although it does not show the exact location within the store where the product can be found.
This feature is still in the Beta testing phase. Users can access it by clicking on the “warehouse” button at the bottom of the app, positioned between the “account” and “cart” buttons.
Upon selecting a store, information such as operating hours, gasoline prices, and a search bar are displayed. By clicking on the search bar, users can input the product name or description to check warehouse inventory.
This highly anticipated feature has received warm welcomes from some shoppers on social media platforms. User “Neil Enns” posted, “This is so unbelievable, I can hardly believe it’s happening. My Costco app now has a local inventory search feature. Fantastic!”
One customer mentioned using the app to compare prices while creating their shopping list. Another Facebook user expressed their joy at the app’s update, saying, “I’m thrilled that the Costco app has been updated, now we can search local inventory and see the actual in-store prices of items! This is truly a game-changing feature, allowing me to compare prices when creating a shopping list.”
Sharing a tip on how to use the feature effectively, a user wrote, “Here’s a tip that can help answer the question, ‘I want to know if the Mt Juliet Costco store in Tennessee currently has this item in stock,’ if you have the item number instead of using keywords, it will be very helpful.”
While some members are delighted with the new feature, others have claimed that the tool is not functioning correctly. One customer searched for hot dogs and soda, but the application displayed “no matching items found.”
“I have never had success using this app. I tried it in the store, and an employee also tried to help with no success,” wrote another user.
Some users provided specific feedback, with one saying, “@Costco, the new feature in the app is great, but ‘searching warehouse inventory’ is driving me crazy.”
“Now, I don’t even have to drive to the store to know that you (Costco) haven’t restocked my favorite product yet!” mentioned the user.
Costco’s app has long been lagging behind those of other major retailers. Walmart and Target’s apps inform consumers about how to locate the items they want to purchase in-store and what they can expect to see when they arrive.
The Home Depot and Lowe’s have also invested heavily in helping shoppers navigate their vast stores to find desired items.
Even the majority of locally owned and operated Ace Hardware stores allow shoppers to check for inventory availability before heading out.
Compared to its biggest competitor, Sam’s Club, Costco has been falling behind in app functionality. Sam’s Club shoppers can not only use the app to find items but scan, pay, and complete the shopping process without having to wait in line.