As a working mom, surprise days off from school are nothing short of a nightmare. So earlier this year, I did the smart thing and marked every closure off on my calendar ahead of time.
That still didn’t stop the “oh, darn” that slipped out of my mouth when I looked at the week of Oct. 12 and realized my kids didn’t have school on Columbus Day. (Okay, and if I’m being totally truthful, I didn’t say “oh, darn,” but rather, something a little more…colorful.)
The tricky thing about Columbus Day is that it’s one of those “iffy” days where things could be closed, but not necessarily.
My husband, for example, doesn’t have the day off, and neither do many people I know. At the same time, there’s no regular mail delivery, and banks in my area are typically closed.
The good news, though, is that most retailers keep their doors open on Columbus Day. And Costco is one of them. So if you’re planning to do a stock-up, you’re not out of luck.
Costco tries to keep closures to a minimum
Costco’s business model is built on membership fees. During the company’s most recent quarter, Costco reported $1.849 billion in membership fee income, up 7.3% from the year prior.
Costco also boasts an impressive 92.3% member renewal rate across the U.S. and Canada.
To keep members happy, Costco has to balance the needs of customers and employees. Disgruntled workers aren’t likely to offer great customer service, which is something Costco is known for.
Costco has to do its best to close its doors when appropriate to give workers a break and time with family while also making sure it’s staying open frequently enough to serve members when they need to shop.
Plus, any day Costco closes that a competitor doesn’t, the company risks lost revenue. It’s as simple as that. So even if Costco would prefer to close more often, it’s not a smart business decision.
Image source: Shutterstock
Costco only closes seven times a year
While schools may be closed on Columbus Day, Costco won’t be. Not only is the store open, but shoppers can expect regular operating hours.
Costco only closes for seven holidays during the year:
New Year’s Day
Easter Sunday
Memorial Day
Independence Day (July 4)
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas DaySource: Costco.com
Closing on Columbus Day would potentially anger customers, some of whom specifically aim to do their Costco shopping on Mondays to avoid the weekend rush.
And for Costco employees with childcare constraints due to school closures, there’s probably a willingness on the company’s part to work things out.
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Costco is known for treating its workers well through solid pay and strong benefits, so employees who need time off on Columbus Day may be able to get it with relative ease.
Maurie Backman owns shares of Costco.
Related: Costco adds important new perks for members