(AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)NEW YORK – Costco will increase its starting wage to $16 an hour, surpassing most of its main competitors. Jelinek said the starting wage for Costco employees would rise to $16 next week, up from $15 the company instituted two year ago. The starting wage scale puts Costco above competitors, including Amazon, Target and Best Buy, which have $15 minimum wages. Walmart's starting pay is $11 an hour. AdThe federal minimum wage is currently $7.25.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Two retail chains, Walmart and Costco, will begin enforcing new protocols to keep shoppers and employees safe during the coronavirus pandemic. Beginning Monday, all Costco shoppers and employees will be required to wear a mask or face shield. Children under the age of two are now the only ones exempt from wearing a face covering under the updated policy. “This updated policy may seem inconvenient to some, however we believe the added safety is worth any inconvenience,” said Costco president and CEO Craig Jelinek. Costco’s original policy went into effect in May and did not require shoppers and employees with medical conditions to wear masks.