Shopping at Costco now comes at a higher price.
The retailer issued a press release on Wednesday, July 10 announcing that the annual membership fee is rising from $60 to $65 (or jumping from $120 to $130 for executive membership fees). This marks the first time that Costco has raised membership costs since 2017.
The steeper price tag goes into effect on Sept. 1 for members in the U.S. and Canada. Costco says the change will impact 52 million memberships.
PEOPLE reached out to Costco for further comment but did not immediately hear back.
The retailer has taken steps to ensure those paying the membership fees are the only ones reaping the benefits, including at the food court.
In March, a Reddit user posted a photo of a sign, allegedly taken at a Costco location in Orlando, reinforcing the rules that only Costco members can buy the famously inexpensive food court items, like the $1.50 hot dog and …