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Costco has unveiled a significant overhaul of its membership fees, a move that is likely to infuriate shoppers. The retail behemoth has announced a substantial revision of its membership
fees across its 29 UK stores, leaving customers deeply dissatisfied. From March 1, the cost of annual membership will surge by up to 42 per cent. Costco explained that the increase was
necessary "to keep pace with rising costs", marking its first hike in over eight years. It has begun issuing renewal letters to thousands of shoppers. The price for individual
memberships, known as gold star, will climb from £28 to £35 - an increase of £7, or 25 per cent. The cost for an additional gold star cardholder will rise from £14 to £20 - an extra £6,
representing a 42 per cent increase. Business membership for trade customers will rise from £22 to £25, an increase of £3, or nearly 14 per cent. For executive business customers, membership
will go up from £56 to £65, a rise of £9, or 16 per cent. Executive gold star membership will increase from £62 to £70, a jump of £8 or 13 per cent, reports Birmingham Live. One disgruntled
shopper vented on social media: "Going to cancel. Wait for a big tech deal to come along otherwise waste of time". Another Facebook user commented: "Don't go enough to
justify paying the extra, and you don't really save anything on branded goods only Kirkland products are worth it." One customer stated: "Yes if you renew before then [March
1] it will be at current price. Mine isn't due until April but just renewed to prevent the rise. Won't bother the year after as getting too expensive for me Vs savings."
Another commented: "Individual is changing to gold star in name. Its an £8.40 increase, which over the year is just over 2p a day. Yes its an increase, but first in nine years." A
third defended the chain, saying: "Love Costco. Worth it for the fuel, tyres and bakery. Get a decent amount back with the executive membership too."