Latest news with #Instacart
Axios
a day ago
- Business
- Axios
Costco changing hours for executive members on June 30
Costco is rolling out earlier shopping hours for executive members at U.S. warehouses — a subtle but significant shift nearly a year after raising membership fees for the first time since 2017. Why it matters: The perk is a way to add value to the membership club's top tier and potentially increase the ranks of executive members who make up a higher percentage of sales. Executive members make up more than 47% of Costco's paid memberships but represent 73.1% of sales globally, Costco CFO Gary Millerchip said on a May 29 earnings call. The big picture: The move mirrors a tactic from rival Sam's Club, which has long offered exclusive hours and extra perks to its premium-tier members. Costco previously had early hours for executive members and during the pandemic opened early some days for seniors and members with disabilities. When do Costco executive member hours start? Zoom in: Costco said in an email to members that the new executive member benefits are effective Monday, June 30. Warehouses will open at 9am daily exclusively for executive members. Another new benefit is a $10 monthly credit on same-day or Costco via Instacart orders of $150 or more. New Costco early executive shopping hours The following are Costco's new early shopping hours: Monday to Friday: 9am to 10am Saturday: 9am to 9:30am Sunday: 9am to 10am Yes, but: Locations that had been open at 9am for all members will also make a change. "Our U.S. locations that currently open at 9 am, will transition June 30th to limiting access to Executive Members only during the times outlined," Costco said in a comment on its Instagram post. Clubs will open at 10am weekdays and Sundays for all members and 9:30am on Saturdays. Costco's business centers and gas stations are not affected with the changes. Costco Saturday hours extended for all members What's next: Costco said that "U.S. warehouses will stay open one extra hour on Saturdays, closing at 7 pm for all members." Costco membership cost, executive member benefits Flashback: Costco increased membership fees for both Gold Star and Executive tiers by $5 and $10 respectively, effective Sept. 1, 2024. Gold Star and business membership fees are $65, up from $60. Executive membership fees are double the basic membership's price but members earn a 2% reward on eligible purchases. The $130 annual fee is up from $120. The special hours come after the wholesale club's membership card sharing crackdown went national with scanners at club entrances. The scanners can identify which membership level a member has.
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Industry Leaders and Cutting-Edge Health and Wellness Education Take Center Stage at Newtopia Now 2025
Influential retailers signed on to attend include Albertsons, Home Goods, Instacart, Kroger, Vitamin Shoppe, Walmart, 7-Eleven and many more. DENVER, CO / ACCESS Newswire / June 17, 2025 / Newtopia Now, the event destination connecting buyers and investors with innovative brands in the conscious consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, announces an exceptional lineup of keynotes, comprehensive educational sessions and valuable networking opportunities for its second edition, taking place Aug. 20-22, 2025, at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado. The three-day event will bring together industry leaders, innovators and conscious consumers in the sustainable CPG space, continuing to build on the success of its inaugural gathering. Nearly 45% of signed-on brands are first-time exhibitors at any trade show, underscoring the vital platform Newtopia Now provides for emerging brands looking to break into retailer markets and gain crucial industry visibility. Brands on the show floor will appear in three distinct mission-driven neighborhoods designed to facilitate product discovery: Thrive, highlighting the latest innovations that shape the future of human health; Glow, showcasing natural beauty and holistic wellness solutions; and Regenerate, spotlighting the products and business models making a positive environmental impact. The event will feature groundbreaking keynote presentations from industry pioneers. Dr. Gabrielle Lyon will deliver an opening expo keynote on Aug. 21 challenging conventional health wisdom with her 'Muscle-Centric Medicine®" approach. The presentation will inspire attendees to think beyond traditional lifespan metrics, offering compelling insights into how the CPG industry can leverage research around protein and self-care to support consumers on their health journeys. With protein being one of the CPG industry's most notable trends, this keynote empowers industry leaders to make it more than a fad. Michael Costello, CEO of retail giant GNC, will present a strategic keynote on Aug. 22 providing emerging brands with crucial insights on succeeding in today's dynamic market landscape. Costello's presentation will deliver actionable guidance on building sustainable retail relationships and leveraging scientific evidence and consumer demand to drive strategic decision-making. 'Newtopia Now is returning more impactful and interactive than ever while maintaining the accessible, discovery-focused experience that attendees crave,' says Danica Cullins, Executive Vice President of Health and Nutrition, Informa Markets North America. 'This event represents our commitment to fostering meaningful connections that drive the conscious CPG industry forward.' Newtopia Now will commence the week on Aug. 20 with a series of immersive community experiences designed to foster networking and engagement at unique offsite locations. The Women in CPG Luncheon returns for its second year at Ophelia's Electric Soapbox, celebrating female leaders and entrepreneurs shaping the future of CPG. Mental health advocate Jenn DeWall will anchor the luncheon with an inspiring keynote on embracing vulnerability and building strong support networks. Additional offsite experiences include a guided tour with expert herbalists at the Denver Botanic Gardens to learn about the medicinal, nutritional and cultural significance of key plant species in collaboration with the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), as well as a community give-back experience, in partnership with We Don't Waste, assembling grocery bags filled with non-perishable food and essential household items for families in need. The Conscious Beauty and Wellness Pitch Event Presented by Giannuzzi Lewendon will showcase innovative up-and-coming brands presenting to a panel of industry leaders, investors, retailers and CPG executives, creating opportunities for growth investment and strategic partnerships. As consumer demand for transparent, sustainable and health-focused products continues to accelerate, Newtopia Now provides the essential platform for retail and CPG leaders to access visionary keynote speakers, targeted educational sessions and a carefully curated expo floor of health and nutrition brands to drive positive change in the marketplace. Visit to view the full event agenda. To learn more about Newtopia Now and register to attend, visit About Newtopia Now Newtopia Now is the destination for product innovation, offering untethered experiences that connect CPG brands with buyers, investors and experts to drive growth in the natural and organic market, organized by New Hope Network, a division of Informa Markets. This innovative B2B trade show reimagines the traditional exhibition experience by focusing on connection, community and purpose-driven business. The event brings together brands, retail buyers and industry professionals to co-create the next era of purpose-led CPG and retail through deeper levels of engagement, with curated meeting opportunities, interactive content and networking sessions alongside the latest innovations in natural and organic products. To learn more, visit About Informa Markets Informa Markets, a subsidiary of Informa plc (LON:INF), creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. With a global reach and diverse portfolio of verticals, including Pharmaceuticals, Food, Medical Technology and Infrastructure, Informa Markets connects buyers and sellers worldwide through face-to-face exhibitions, targeted digital services and actionable data solutions. For more information, visit Media Contact New Hope Network Public Relations [email protected] SOURCE: New Hope Network press release
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Costco is giving some members a new perk
Costco is giving some members a new perk — a free $10 monthly delivery credit. The credit can be used toward the retailer's own same-day delivery service or when ordering from Costco via Instacart. But it is only on qualifying orders of $150 or more. And the new benefit is only for executive members, who pay $130 a year for the premium tier — double the price of a standard $65 gold star membership. 'Our new monthly credit makes it easier than ever for members across North America to get Costco's warehouse items with the convenience of fast and reliable delivery,' said Instacart's chief product officer Daniel Danker. But not everyone is impressed. Some shoppers took to X to say the $10 credit won't move the needle — especially since Sam's Club has offered a similar perk for more than a decade. 'Costco is still playing catch-up to Sam's in a lot of ways,' one user posted. Walmart-owned Sam's Club, Costco's biggest rival also recently dropped its membership price to just $20 , rolled out a new AI checkout and even undercut Costco's iconic $1.50 hot dog and soda combo. Retail analysts say these moves have forced Costco to respond. Costco's $10 credit is is one of two perks for executive members starting on June 30. They will also get to start shopping an hour earlier too. Costco hopes the new shopping hours will reduce traffic in car parks and lines at checkouts, which is a key customer complaint . However, it is also a move that could boost membership fee revenue, a key driver of Costco's bottom line. Costco has also expanded its gas station hours and added more pumps. The retailer's gas stations are now open from 6am until 10pm on weekdays . Costco customers have criticized the retailer for recent changes. There was backlash after the chain announced its plans to switch to Coca-Cola from Pepsi beverages in its food courts. The company confirmed the change in January and rolled out the first machine at a new California store in March. Shoppers also claimed on Reddit that the chain hiked its food court prices . These triggers could potentially be reasons why Costco was beaten by Walmart this year in America's grocery wars.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Pinterest Partners with Instacart to Help Maximize Ad Targeting for Retailers
This story was originally published on Social Media Today. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Social Media Today newsletter. Pinterest and grocery delivery platform Instacart have announced a new partnership that will enable Pinterest advertisers to target their ads based on Instacart engagement data, while also making Pinterest ads directly shoppable via the Instacart platform. Which could be of specific value for food and recipe-related brands, enabling them to tap into Instacart customer and engagement insights to better target their Pin promotions. Which is likely the main value here. As explained by Instacart: 'In the initial phase of the partnership, select brands advertising on Pinterest will be able to advertise their products to Instacart first-party audience segments - built from real-world retail purchase behavior - to reach high-intent consumers with more precision. A second phase is expected to introduce closed-loop measurement, which would tie Pinterest ads to actual product sales across the Instacart Marketplace of over 1,800 retailers, and help prove campaign impact with real purchase data.' So now, retail advertisers on Pinterest will be able to access Instacart audience info, so that they can focus their ads on high-intent shoppers in the app. Which will be valuable. Instacart says that it works with more than 1,800 national, regional, and local retailers to facilitate shopping, delivery and pickup services from nearly 100,000 stores across North America. The data that it has, then, relates to specific purchase trends, and product preferences, enabling higher value targeting for promotions. Maybe that enables you to advertise your restaurant, or food delivery service, or maybe it will predominantly be used by CPG brands to connect with users looking for specific items. Whatever the usage, the added insight from Instacart will definitely enhance Pinterest's targeting tools, providing more information for your outreach. And in addition, as noted, Pinterest ads will become directly shoppable via Instacart, enabling Pinterest users to complete a purchase in just a few clicks. 'Imagine pinning a cocktail recipe and being able to instantly order the ingredients, or discovering a new clean beauty brand and getting it delivered to your door in as fast as 30 minutes.' Pinterest continues to build out its shopping options, and expand its online marketplace, with a view to becoming the virtual shopping mall for more sectors. It may not be able to match Amazon on this front, but with its expanding range of products, and smarter search tools, it is becoming a more all-encompassing platform for various shopping needs. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Costco is giving its members $10 for free... but there's a catch
Costco is giving some members a new perk — a free $10 monthly delivery credit. The credit can be used toward the retailer's own same-day delivery service or when ordering from Costco via Instacart. But it is only on qualifying orders of $150 or more. And the new benefit is only for executive members, who pay $130 a year for the premium tier — double the price of a standard $65 gold star membership. 'Our new monthly credit makes it easier than ever for members across North America to get Costco's warehouse items with the convenience of fast and reliable delivery,' said Instacart's chief product officer Daniel Danker. But not everyone is impressed. Some shoppers took to X to say the $10 credit won't move the needle — especially since Sam's Club has offered a similar perk for more than a decade. 'Costco is still playing catch-up to Sam's in a lot of ways,' one user posted. Walmart-owned Sam's Club, Costco's biggest rival also recently dropped its membership price to just $20, rolled out a new AI checkout and even undercut Costco's iconic $1.50 hot dog and soda combo. Retail analysts say these moves have forced Costco to respond. Instacart's chief product officer Daniel Danker insisted said members will be able to get orders faster and more conveniently Costco's $10 credit is is one of two perks for executive members starting on June 30. They will also get to start shopping an hour earlier too. Costco hopes the new shopping hours will reduce traffic in car parks and lines at checkouts, which is a key customer complaint. However, it is also a move that could boost membership fee revenue, a key driver of Costco's bottom line. Last year Costco brought in more than $4 billion a year from membership fees alone, after upping its rates in September. Around half of Costco's 79.6 million shoppers have executive level memberships, but they account for 73 percent of sales. The top level also offers a two percent rebate on all Costco purchases up to a total of $750 a year Costco has also expanded its gas station hours and added more pumps. The retailer's gas stations are now open from 6am until 10pm on weekdays. The new deal is debuting the same day as Costco's new policy that allows executive members to shop before gold star shoppers Costco customers have criticized the retailer for recent changes. There was backlash after the chain announced its plans to switch to Coca-Cola from Pepsi beverages in its food courts. The company confirmed the change in January and rolled out the first machine at a new California store in March. Shoppers also claimed on Reddit that the chain hiked its food court prices. These triggers could potentially be reasons why Costco was beaten by Walmart this year in America's grocery wars. Costco still managed to have a successful third quarter this year with $61.96 billion, an 8 percent increase compared to last year's results. Factors that may have contributed to Costco reaching this total include a few food court menu shakeups and its expansion of gas station hours.
