What is offered to customers with a trial membership at Costco?

A trial membership at Costco provides customers with a limited shopping experience. This is designed to allow potential members to explore the store and understand the benefits of membership without granting them full access to all privileges that regular members enjoy. Trial members typically can shop using a limited selection of products and may be restricted in certain areas, such as purchasing alcohol or receiving one of the key member benefits like the ability to shop online.

This approach is beneficial for Costco, as it encourages customers to experience the store and its offerings, potentially leading them to convert to a full membership after their trial period. By design, a trial membership serves to give customers a taste of what Costco has to offer, emphasizing the exclusivity and value of the full membership. This strategy also helps manage inventory and maintain a certain level of exclusivity for regular members.