Costco announced that it is closing all its in-store photo centers as of February 14, and recommends that customers pick up all their orders by March 28.
In an email to customers, Costco said, ""Since the introduction of camera phones and social media, the need for printing photos has steeply declined, even though the number of pictures taken continues to grow. After careful consideration, we have determined the continued decline of prints no longer requires on-site photo printing."
USA Today reports that "some services will be available on the website for delivery, including prints, enlargements and posters; stationary and photo greeting cards; photo books and calendars; photo blankets and other photo gifts; and business printing products.
"After the centers close, a few other services won't be available such as ink refill, passport photos, photo restoration and YesVideo Home Movie Transfer Service."
- KC's View:
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It was kind of funny to see this story, since the other day when doing some cleanup, we happened upon one of those little photo books that you used to get when you had pictures developed. My 26-year-old daughter noticed that the book was from Stew Leonard's, and said, "Stew Leonard's used to develop pictures?"
Yes, I explained, and if you paid an extra buck or so, you could actually get double prints … which explains the boxes and boxes of pictures we have stacked in a closet, many of them not very good, and with two copies of even the worst ones.
Which is a long way around to saying that I have to believe that Costco can make better use of that square footage.
I only wonder what took them so long.
