Closing a chapter: Costco set to end year-round book sales at most of its stores next month

The process of stocking books is much harder than other merchandise, officials say

Costco is closing the book on year-round sales of physical novels.

The bulk retailer is looking to end constant book sales at 500 of its 600 stores across the U.S., according to reports. Starting in January, Costco will remove the book section from most of the stores.

Book sales will only return during the holiday season and other select times of the year.

Costco officials said they are making the shift because stocking books on tables is labor-intensive and has to be done by hand - unlike other merchandise that can be stocked with forklifts, according to the New York Times.

Consumers have also turned to buying books on Amazon and not at big-box retailers.

The popular store says that if book sales do well at the stores where they remain, they could return to stores. But if they continue to lag, more book sections could get the ax.

Costco is looking to end year-round book sales at most of its stores next month (REUTERS)

Executives with the retailer are also watching how book sales fare at competitors, including the Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour book that is being sold exclusively at Target, according to Publisher’s Weekly.

Costco continues to make changes as it navigates the consumer market. Earlier this year, the company announced that membership ID cards would have to be scanned for entry. The retailer also increased membership fees, with most raising by about $5. A gold star account went from $60 to $65 in September.

Despite the changes, Costco’s popular hot dogs haven’t had their prices change. They continue to cost $1.50, the same as in the 1980s when the stores first opened.