Costco to stop selling popular items year-round in January at most US stores: reports

Book bargain hunters will be disappointed to learn that Costco plans to stop selling books in most of its US stores at the beginning of the year.

In January, Costco will remove the store’s popular book section from the majority of its more than 600 stores in the United States.

And it will return only during the holiday season, from September to December, and at other times, the discount chain told publishers over the summer, according to The New York Times.

Costco told executives the change was made because storing books on tables is labor-intensive and must be done by hand rather than by forklift like other products, the Times reported.

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Book bargain hunters will be disappointed to learn that Costco plans to stop selling books in most of its US stores at the beginning of the year. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/Getty Images)

The decision comes as more consumers buy books through online outlets such as Amazon.

Books will remain in about 100 Costco stores nationwide throughout the year, however, trade news magazine Publisher’s Weekly reported this week.

The decision to keep some books in stores would be a reversal from the store’s previous plans, the outlet reported.

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In January, Costco will remove the store’s popular book section from the majority of its more than 600 stores in the United States. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images)

Publishing and Costco executives will also see sales trends for Taylor Swift’s official Eras Tour book, sold exclusively at Target starting Black Fridayreported Publisher’s Weekly.

If book sales continue to do well, Costco may bring back literary sections to more stores, according to the magazine, or all may become seasonal if sales lag.

Shopper looks at Costco books. (Tim Boyle/Getty Images/Getty Images)

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FOX Business has reached out to Costco for comment.