Costco outlet in Ottawa has applied a digital electronic scanner for associate entry, a withdrawal from the old-style in-person card verification, to crack down on customers who have not paid a membership payment. Usually, store personnel would be seen at the main entrance merely glancing at the membership card with the customer’s headshot to confirm their identity. It’s uncertain how many outlets have implemented the digital confirmation system, but the arrangement was seen used at the Merivale Road outlet in Ottawa.
Costco customer Debbie Lascelle is a long-standing associate who enjoys the marketing warehouse for its selections and price opinions. She typically visits the Merivale Road outlet and says the store commenced using a digital card scanner at the main door about three weeks ago.
You need to scan your membership verification card and your photograph comes up on a screen to confirm that it’s the correct person entering, she says. Customers think it’s a good idea. If they are encountering a problem with unauthorized individuals coming in and if individuals are misusing the cards, then It will help all honest customers.CTV News Ottawa called Costco Canada for a discussion or a report but has still to obtain a reply concerning its new scheme. However, the moves appear to coincide with a similar initiative being established at some of its sites in the United States.
According to U.S. media statements, Costco’s scanning objectives are to control non-member admission, mainly those using self-checkout methods. Retail expert Bruce Winder related this method to Netflix’s new approach of clamping down on account sharing. The chief purpose why Costco was utilizing the electronic scanner at the entrance is to try to curtail the number of individuals who use someone else’s membership card and enter and get the benefits, said Winder. He says a big part of Costco’s income comes from association fees.
The novel scanning structure is expected to also discourage non-members from retrieving Costco’s cafeteria and its low-cost items like the popular $1.50 hot dog and drink combo. Despite some potential disapproval, Winder says it’s expected to see growth of the digital electronic scanner at entry points. The company realizes the need to keep the prices low and they need to make certain that members appreciate the benefits, said Winder.
Costco memberships are for specific individuals and are not transferable, but another card can be provided to another individual in the same family. Members can also bring two non-members to the store per visit. Costco’s enormous popularity is seen in its numbers. There were 119 million cardholders in 2022 placing the retail giant as one of the strongest membership clubs worldwide.
