Quiet changes at big-box doors often signal bigger shifts inside, and shoppers have noticed one. At Costco, entry now runs through self-scan card machines that check memberships before carts roll forward. The process looks simple, yet it reshapes how stores manage queues, renewals, and security. It replaces a patchy mix of visual checks and handheld scans. Regulars at Marsden Park say the new routine already feels faster. It sets a clear tone before anyone reaches the aisles.
What changes at the entrance actually mean
Self-scan card machines now sit at entrances. They ask each shopper to scan a physical card or a digital card in the app. Staff watch the stations. The machines confirm membership instantly. Lapsed accounts trigger a redirect to the service desk near the exit for renewal. That happens before entry.
At Marsden Park in NSW, the system replaces a slower routine. Previously, a team member scanned individual cards with a handheld device, or sometimes just looked at the card without scanning. Now, Costco channels that first check into a short, predictable step that keeps the entrance line moving.
Membership remains essential. Everyone entering needs a valid account. People may shop alongside friends or family, yet only members can pay at checkout. Cards get scanned again during payment. A physical receipt then prints and is checked by a staff member as customers leave. That double-check closes the loop.
Why Costco moved verification to the front door
Moving verification to the entrance tightens access and improves flow. People who forgot a card can use the app, while staff step in when help is needed. Because the check happens before aisles, queues form and clear in one place, reducing bottlenecks around popular sections. It clarifies rules early.
Members whose accounts have lapsed get clear directions. They can renew at the service desk near the exit, or complete the process online through the app or website. Memberships start at $65, a detail Costco reinforces during entry, so shoppers understand requirements before they browse or buy.
The rollout spans 15 Australian warehouses this year, and the system has now arrived at Marsden Park. Earlier methods varied between quick glances and handheld scans. With a uniform entry step, expectations are set at the door today. Customers reach aisles with fewer interruptions and less uncertainty.
How the change affects shopping with family and friends
Groups still enter together. The entrance check ensures an active membership leads the party, which prevents confusion later at the register. Guests can browse under that umbrella, while the member handles payment. This sequence keeps expectations straight and reduces awkward conversations once a full cart reaches the belt.
Checkout adds a second control point. The card is scanned again, and a physical receipt prints. At the exit, a staff member checks that receipt. The routine is familiar. The earlier entrance check means most issues are fixed before items travel through the entire store or slow down lines.
People who prefer delivery have another path. A partnership with DoorDash, introduced in February, lets households order without being members. Prices run higher than for members. Not every product qualifies. Large or heavy items, such as big-screen TVs, pizza ovens, or oversized appliances, fall outside Costco delivery limits.
Store growth and rollouts as Costco standardizes entry
Growth continues alongside the new entry routine. In 2025, the chain opened a warehouse at Ardeer in Melbourne. A Victorian site at Pakenham is slated for 2027. As stores open or refresh, the entrance check offers a consistent front door for newcomers and long-time shoppers. That helps first visits.
The self-scan machines have been rolling out across 15 Australian outlets this year and have now arrived at Marsden Park. Instead of varied checks at different doors, the experience aligns. That predictability helps teams allocate support, while Costco refines queue layouts and signage based on how shoppers actually move.
Previously, customers sometimes entered after only showing a card. Elsewhere, a handheld device scanned each card one by one. The entrance machines replace that patchwork with one verifiable step for consistency. The checkout scan and exit receipt check close the journey without changing the familiar end-of-trip routine.
Holidays, catering, and what delivery will not carry
The festive calendar has its own updates. The retailer is rolling out a 2025 Christmas range, with indoor and outdoor decorations, Christmas trees, and lights. Cards, table pieces, hampers, and gifts are already on shelves. Food orders for the season can now be placed through the website for pickup.
Catering extends beyond the usual. Special holiday platters sit alongside standard options and include seasonal favorites. Orders are placed online and picked up with 48-hours notice, a window that helps kitchens plan and customers coordinate gatherings. Here, Costco leans on predictable timing, so parties run smoothly and stress stays low.
Menu choices cover seafood platters, sandwiches, wraps, and the signature Kirkland roast chickens. The delivery menu remains selective, though, because the DoorDash service does not handle large, bulky, or heavy products. Big-screen TVs, pizza ovens, and similar appliances exceed the limits and therefore stay in-store only for in-person purchase.
Why a tiny door change can reshape the whole trip
Small tweaks at the door often overhaul the day. The entrance scan creates a single, visible rule. Renewals are easy at the desk or online. Delivery exists for nearby households at a premium. Seasonal stock and catering arrive on schedule, while openings at Ardeer and planned Pakenham growth set expectations. In each case, Costco favors clarity first, so lines shrink, decisions quicken, and baskets move with fewer surprises. That helps busy shoppers.
