Costco expected to raise membership fees l Dayton Business

Costco shoppers enjoying discounts on everything from cars to caskets may soon have to pay more for the privilege, based on a recent analyst’s report that predicts the warehouse club is likely to raise it’s membership fees as early as April.

Costco, which has locations in Centerville, Springdale and Deerfield Twp., has historically raised fees every five or six years, according to UBS analyst Michael Lasser, who wrote in a research note earlier this month that he expects Costco’s membership fees to increase about 9 percent.

» 1-minute reads: 3 things to know about Dayton business today

That would boost the price of Costco’s most popular Gold Star membership and the Business membership, which both run $55 a year, to about $60 annually. Costco currently charges $110 per year for an Executive membership, which would increase to about $120 annually.

Costco continues to see a surge of new sign-ups and membership renewals, which have been a major earnings driver for the company, according to Lasser.

Costco shares were trading at $177.59 in mid-morning trading, down 24 cents.

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT COSTCO:

•Costco boasts 84 million card-carrying members worldwide.

•Non-members can use a Costco Cash Card to enter, shop and pay at any Costco location.

•You can cancel your membership anytime and get your money back.

•Anyone, including non-members, can fill up at a Costco gas station and pay with a Costco Cash Card. But cash and checks are not accepted.

•In June last year, Costco switched to Visa as its only accepted major credit card.

FIVE FAST READS

• New Elder-Beerman shops opening in Dayton

• Low-cost air carrier offers $65 trip to Europe

• Parent company of T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods to open new home store

• Wendy's to add self-ordering kiosks in Ohio stores this year