Costco has recently announced a new policy that has sparked discussion among its customers. The popular wholesale giant is introducing a minimum purchase requirement for online orders in the grocery sector. From now on, if the total of grocery items in the shopping cart totals less than 1,500 pesos, a fee of 50 pesos per item will be charged for delivery service.
This change comes as a surprise to many Costco members, as online sales in the grocery sector have seen a significant increase in recent years. According to a study by the Acosta Group, 55 percent of consumers have purchased grocery products online at least once. Despite this growth, there is still a preference among many people to make purchases in physical stores. The report shows that 45 percent of online users prefer to place their orders through websites or mobile applications, while 80 percent choose to visit physical stores to pick up their grocery products.
The new Costco policy aims to encourage larger volume purchases, potentially as a strategy to optimize delivery routes and reduce logistics costs. Orders placed before noon will be delivered within 2 business days, while those placed after this time will be extended to 3 business days for delivery.
While the additional charge for smaller purchases may represent a noticeable increase in total cost, it also provides the opportunity to plan purchases more effectively. By grouping products, customers can achieve free delivery and maximize the value of each order.
This new policy from Costco reflects the evolving landscape of online sales in the grocery sector, where it has become a necessity for businesses to adapt to remain competitive in the market.