Costco has had consistent year-over-year foot traffic growth since Q2 2021, with both overall and same-store visits continuing to grow, reported research firm Placer.ai. Overall visits in Q2 2025 were up 3.2% year over year (YoY).

“Same-store visits have also consistently increased during this period—indicating that the retailer is driving more traffic to existing stores and quickly building strong member bases at its new warehouses,” the report said.

August 2025 traffic to Costco grew 5.5% YoY while same-store visits rose 4.0%.

The report also noted that shoppers spend significantly more time per trip at Costco than at other superstores or supermarkets, boosting basket sizes and “reinforcing its experiential value model.” Lower gas prices and easing grocery inflation are reducing trip friction, Placer.ai said, creating favorable conditions.

Since June 30, Costco has opened an hour earlier (at 9 a.m.) at many warehouses to allow its Executive Members an exclusive extra hour to shop. Placer.ai reported that the extended hours are reshaping shopping patterns, with impact on both visit timing and length of the visit.

“The additional morning hour appears to have encouraged some Executive Members to shift their trips earlier in the day, which in turn reduced traffic concentration during late-morning and afternoon peaks,” wrote Placer.ai.

This research firm theorizes that the redistribution of shoppers helps create a “more balanced flow of visitors,” likely improving the shopping experience for members.

In June, Costco unveiled plans to open its first ever stand-alone gas station in the city of Mission Viejo, California. The city had “approved plans to tear down a former Bed, Bath and Beyond store to make room for the fuel pumps that will only be available to Costco members.”

The station will feature 40 pumps and will not have a convenience store. It will be located at the Mission Viejo Freeway Center at 25732 El Paseo, just off Interstate 5.