Costco’s Free Samples Will Be Back But Things Will Be A Little Different

Costco (COST) is reportedly bringing back its free food samples for customers as soon as mid-June. The wholesale retailer discontinued samples to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus among its employees and customers.

Richard Galanti, chief financial officer at Costco, told analysts on an earnings call on Thursday (via Business Insider) that food sampling stations would return to stores, but they will be offered in a different way. While Galanti didn’t elaborate or indicate how the sample program would be initiated, he did say they would come back in some capacity with new sanitary rules, the news outlet reported.

“We're going to start doing some things in mid-June on a slow rollout basis in sampling,” Galanti said during the call. “I can't tell you anymore, but it's — needless to say — not going to be where you go and just pick up an open sample with your fingers.”

Costco has also implemented a series of safety measures at its stores as the coronavirus pandemic wages on. Customers are required to wear face masks when shopping, a restriction the retailer started on May 4. The company is also promoting social distancing in its stores and has enacted a limit on certain high-demand products such as meat.

Shares of Costco stock were down 1.00% as of 2:23 p.m. EDT on Friday.