The Brief

LOS ANGELES - Costco 's new policy granting executive members early access to its stores, a perk dubbed the "VIP hour," is now being strictly enforced nationwide following the end of a grace period on Aug. 31.

Policy change in effect

What we know:

Costco has implemented a new policy that grants its executive members exclusive early access to stores.

This "VIP hour" allows only executive members to shop from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on weekdays and from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturdays.

The doors are then opened to all other members at 10 a.m.

Beginning Sept. 1, employees will now enforce the rule and non-executive members who try to shop early may be denied entry.

New rule will be ‘strictly enforced’

The backstory:

In June, Costco first introduced the policy change with a

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