US: Why Costco stops selling books in most stores

Costco Wholesale, the American multinational corporation, has announced plans to discontinue its book sections in most of its more than 600 locations across the United States, starting in January.

The decision, aimed at improving stocking efficiency, is part of the retailer’s broader efforts to streamline operations.

According to The New York Times, Costco executives explained that books require manual handling because they are displayed on tables, unlike other products that can be stocked using forklifts. This makes book stocking a less efficient use of warehouse space.

The move reflects a series of adjustments by the retailer to address changing consumer behaviour.

Earlier this year, Costco raised its Gold Star membership fee by $5, increasing it from $60 to $65 in September. The company also introduced a stricter entry policy, requiring membership ID cards to be scanned before customers can access its stores.

Costco is closely monitoring competitors like Target, which recently launched exclusive, high-demand titles such as Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour. Executives are particularly observing how these titles perform to better understand consumer preferences in the evolving retail landscape.

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