Costco to start offering samples again

Officials with Costco Wholesale said its stores will offer samples to customers again soon. The product sampling has been a long-time draw for many shoppers.

“We’re going to start doing some things in mid-June on a slow rollout basis in sampling,” Costco chief financial officer Richard Galanti said. “I can’t tell you anymore, but … needless to say, it’s not going to be where you go and just pick up an open sample with your fingers. But sampling – food and nonfood items – are popular.”

Costco stopped offering samples in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dine-in areas at most Costco locations will also resume serving food.

“We’ve added some, but not all the items back as of now,” Galanti said.

Among the many precautions Costco is taking amid coronavirus concerns is a requirement for staff and shoppers to wear masks in stores, a mandate that started May 4.

Only children under the age of 2 and people who are unable to wear face coverings due to a medical condition are exempt from the mandate.

“We instituted the mask requirement on May 4 because we felt it was the right thing to do,” Galanti said. “If we’re right, we’ve helped stop the spread of the coronavirus. If we’re wrong, it’s a small inconvenience.”