Costco Just Outlined These 6 Changes to Its Mobile App
One of the biggest appeals of having a Costco membership besides the cheap gas and $1.50 hot dog + soda combo is shopping the endless number of deals each warehouse has every day. While the online presence doesn't draw members in quite like picking out bulk-sized grocery items from their huge shelves, there is a web presence on Costco.com.
However, the retailer's Chief Financial Officer Richard Galanti recently revealed in an earnings call with investors that the company is "sometimes late to the game" on mobile and digital shopping tools, and shoppers agree. Some say the chain's app is outdated, slow, and glitchy.
Needless to say, several changes are coming to the Costco app. Galanti listed all the updates, many of which will assist members while they are shopping in the store, not just online. Here's everything you need to know before you open the app next. Plus, did you hear Costco Is Opening 20+ New Stores in 2022?
Redesigned header and footer
Both the top and bottom of the phone screen look different now, as Costco has resigned the header and footer in the app. Now switch between Home, Savings, Card, Warehouse, and Menu pages on the bottom, and click on Daily Deals, Gift Baskets, Same Day, as well as other trending categories at the top right below the search bar.
New and improved menu
Speaking of the menu, members can now scroll through departments, services, membership info, and other topics in a grid that features small graphics instead of a long list. Galanti said the updates are an improvement, with all of the top departments being easily identifiable—like the photo center, grocery, travel, and optical.
View warehouse receipts
In the October edition of Costco Connection magazine, the chain said a new feature coming soon is access to warehouse receipts in the app, and Galanti confirmed this in the earnings call. It sounds like Costco members won't ever have to worry about losing a receipt again.
Linked Citi Visa Card
The Costco Anywhere Card allows members to get 4% cashback on gas at the warehouse, 3% back on restaurant and eligible travel purchases across the world, 2% cashback on purchases in the warehouse and online, and 1% back on everything else. And now, members can link their cards in the Costco app.
"It can now be linked to the digital membership card and can be used for payment," Galanti said.
Easily reschedule e-commerce deliveries, returns, and more
Gone are the days of needing a computer to check in on online orders. The app has even more access to member accounts and tracking information.
"Our members are now able to much more easily reschedule e-com deliveries in the U.S and Canada," Galanti revealed. "Same goes for rescheduling returns pickups and delivering in the first half of the new upcoming new calendar year."
Better labeling of fulfillment options
With a few clicks of the app, members will be able to see what is available in nearby warehouses thanks to "a better labeling of fulfillment methods." This is a big step, and one members have been requesting for a while.
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