Costco is bringing full in-store sampling back
Dive Brief:
- Costco is bringing back its full sampling program and adding back in-store food court seating at all of its stores, Chief Financial Officer Richard Galanti said during the company’s third-quarter earnings call on Thursday.
- Sampling, which will include prepared items once again, will return to stores in waves over the next few weeks and will incorporate safety precautions like plexiglass barriers and smaller batches. Food courts, which have been running takeout-only service and a limited menu, will offer more menu items along with seating at half capacity. Galanti said Costco aims to have both services fully operating by the end of June.
- The fuller return of sampling and food courts underscores how rising vaccinations are helping consumers and retailers return to normal operations as summer approaches.
