Costco stores closing: confirms the day of the massive closure in the United States

Costco has confirmed that all its stores in the United States will remain closed on Monday, May 26, 2025. This measure is in response to the celebration of Memorial Day.

It is the day that honors the members of the Armed Forces who died in service. The decision follows the company's historical policy of closing on major federal holidays.

Costco won't open next Monday | Costco

Costco closes, others don't

Other major supermarket chains and stores, like Walmart, Sam's Club, Target, Kroger, and Trader Joe's, choose to keep their doors open. Walmart and Sam's Club have announced they will operate normally, although the latter with reduced hours. Meanwhile, other chains like Whole Foods, Meijer, Publix, and Albertsons will also open, although the pharmacies in these locations may have variable hours.

For many customers looking to take advantage of exclusive deals and buy in bulk, this news implies the need to plan their shopping in advance. The measure may attract other rival stores, which will likely see an increase in customer flow during the holiday.

Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday of May and is one of the country's most important holidays. In addition to Costco, most banks, government offices, and postal services, like UPS and FedEx, suspend their operations, except for critical deliveries. The chain also closed last year on this same date.

Kevin Thompson, CEO of 9i Capital Group and host of the podcast 9innings, commented on the case for Newsweek. "Costco's closure on Memorial Day will have little impact, as shoppers generally anticipate to make their purchases. Costco keeps its integrity, supporting diversity and respecting holidays, even when not everyone agrees with them. They have seen an increase in sales after taking firm stances, backed by their customers."

Drew Powers, founder of Powers Financial Group, also expressed his support: "Many companies close on federal holidays, although retail doesn't always follow that trend. This is a patriotic holiday and marks the unofficial start of the grilling season. I'm glad that Costco allows its employees to enjoy this date to honor those who gave their lives for our freedom."

Alex Beene, an instructor at the University of Tennessee, explained that the closure is an exception in the retail sector. "Costco is one of the few retailers that closes on this date, considered the official start of the summer sales season. Despite this, the decision can be beneficial."

According to Beene, the measure can strengthen employee commitment by giving them a day off to celebrate, and at the same time improve customers' perception of the brand. "Additionally, some stores may increase their sales before the holiday. Shoppers take advantage to stock up knowing that the stores will be closed."

On Tuesday, May 27, Costco will resume its regular hours, while other chains will remain open during the long weekend.