Shoppers face new ‘hi-tech’ entry requirement at supermarket

The move aims to crack down on a “sneaky” behaviour many Australians are guilty of.

PSA to any shoppers who sneak into Costco using a friend or family’s ID card: the bulk-buying retailer has introduced a new entry requirement in a bid to crack down on membership sharing.

With 16 outlets across Australia, compared to 600 in the US, Costco offers members a huge range of brand-name grocery and household goods for substantially lower prices.

But as the retailer has soared in popularity since its initial launch on our shores in 2009, so too has the rise of non-members trying to get in on the action.

Now, Costco has unveiled digital face scanners at the door, a hi-tech move away from the previous process of members simply showing a staff member their card upon entry.

Footage of the new system emerged on TikTok this week, with one Melbourne content creator taking her followers along with her as she susses it out.

“Card self-scanners have now arrived at Australian Costco stores,” Emily from @snackreviews_aus reveals, as she scans her card, bringing up a photo of her face on a screen.

A sign at the door explaining the new process says: “We will verify the face on the person to the face on the screen.”

People with a matching picture can enter, while those without will be encouraged by an employee to sign up for a membership.

The new process also seems to target those without photos on their cards and people with expired memberships, directing them towards the membership counter to rectify the issues.

“Memberships are non-transferable and guests must be accompanied by a member,” text at the bottom of the sign emphasises.

Becoming a Costco member costs $64 per year for the ‘basic package’ or $130 per year for its “executive” option.

“These have already been rolling out in America and it’s finally Australia’s turn,” Emily, a self-proclaimed ‘snackfluencer’, said.

“No more sharing anyone’s membership – not that anybody was doing that anyway …”

News.com.au have reached out to Costco Australia for comment.

A sign outside a Costco outlines the new entry requirements. Picture: TikTok/@snackreviews_aus

Costco began rolling out the system in America in July this year, releasing a statement on its website announcing the news.

“Over the coming months, membership scanning devices will be used at the entrance door of your local warehouse,” the statement reads. “Once deployed, all members must scan their physical or digital membership card before entering.

“If you have any questions or concerns, there will always be an attendant at the door to assist you!”

The automated scanners have already been spotted in several states such as Washington and California.

Your face must match the photo on the membership card in order to gain entry. Picture: TikTok/@snackreviews_aus

In the comments, people weren’t thrilled about the new addition, with one shopper claiming, “Costco needs to get a grip,” and another saying, “they need to calm down.”

“They are on an ego trip with these membership rules,” voiced one commenter.

“This cannot be serious,” a fourth wrote.

Some people thought the move was over the top but others believed it was justified, given it’s a members-only store. Picture: Lachie Millard

However, others defended the move and pointed out that it really wasn’t that different to showing a staff member your card.

“It’s literally a members only store. If you don’t want to pay to be a member, don’t shop there,” one snappy person wrote.

“I’m happy to scan my card if it means I’m saving money,” another member added.

Meanwhile, some commenters shared a little-known loophole for those wanting to shop at Costco without a membership.

“Costco sells gift cards which a member can buy for you. They have no expiry dates and it’s enough to be let in.”

The gift cards are called Costco Shop Cards and according to the retailer’s website, can be purchased as “a gift for non-members” in Australia, with a credit allowance between $25 and $999.99.