We’ve all experienced the frustration of needing something particular at the store, driving all the way there, going inside, looking around, and finding they don’t have the one thing we showed up to buy. One major U.S. retailer is aiming to make that type of shopping experience a thing of the past.
Costco is beta-testing a new feature on their app that would allow customers to search particular locations and determine whether or not they have the item they need in stock.
For now, the “search warehouse inventory” tool is only available as a test feature to a select few users. On the app, it’s located at the bottom of the homepage between “Account” and “Cart.”
When fully implemented, customers will also be able to choose which locations they wish to track on the app.
The new feature’s announcement comes on the heels of the company’s announcement of a price hike on Costco memberships. Standard level memberships rose from $60 to $65 per year and executive level memberships from $120 to $130 per year, according to a July news release.
Costco last raised membership prices seven years ago. Stock in the company is up over 37% in 2024.