Costco Broker: Next Step Club Solutions

The Fastest Way to Sell Your Product to Costco

Selling to Costco can be a challenge and not every item makes it in... but the good news? We have made it possible for countless brands just like yours to have success in Costco.  

Getting Costco to carry a product is all about understanding what Costco is looking for, the process for getting your item in front of a buyer, and most importantly, knowing which Costco buyers to seek out. You could spend months trying to figure out how to get in touch with someone and a few months more waiting to get in to see a Costco buyer. These are frustrating roadblocks. Believe it or not, it takes a lot of hard work and patience to get an audience with a Costco buyer. And at the end of it, if you don’t have the right item or you don’t understand how your item could be a good fit for Costco, you may not get approved at all.   

However, here at Next Step Club Solutions, we understand the process, know what kinds of items the Costco buyers are looking for, and just as important, know the right people to contact on your behalf! We streamline this process by removing all of the buzzwords, overly complicated charts and graphs, and manufacturing jargon so you can focus on what’s important – developing the best product for Costco. 


If you are a manufacturer or importer we can help you get your product into Costco. The Next Step Club Solutions Team is more than a Costco broker, we are your partners in the Costco business. Our decades of expereince working with Costco enables you to get your brand and items in front of Costco’s millions of members without having to deal with the arduous process. 

Costco Broker

Costco sells high quality items at a value both online via the web and their Costco app, as well as in their warehouse stores. This allows manufacturers and importers to reach a broader market by offering the Costco members multiple ways to buy products and services they seek. If you are working with the right Costco broker, you can achieve success in multiple channels with Costco. 

Selling Online 

Costco’s current online platform offers a greater possibility of growth for your business besides just being in their stores. With many Costco members turning to these online options to maximize the ease of purchasing their day-to-day necessities as well as a few fun and exciting items, success isn’t beyond your reach if you are working with right Costco broker.. 

 

To be considered as a Costco.com item, similar to working with the regional Costco buyers, you will need to understand the process, ensure the items is presented properly, and you submit all pertinent information necessary. An experienced Costco brokerage agency like Next Step Club Solutions can help. 

Selling to Costco

Costco has 8 different buying offices across the country that are responsible for the merchandise in their 556 stores across the United States. In addition, they have several buying offices internationally for the 272 international locations in countries such as Canada, Mexico, Australia, Spain, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, France, and the UK. Each one of these regional offices has buyers responsible for the merchandise in their region.   

Each Costco buying office focuses on purchasing products from national brands as well as smaller and in some cases, local vendors when possible. But to be considered a vendor for Costco, you must get your products approved by the Costco buyers. There are many steps to do this and a Costco broker with the necessary experience can successfully guide you through this process.  

Why Partnering with a Costco Broker is a Plus for your Business 

Costco is a highly sought after, well-known retailer that has the potential to turn your item or brand into a household name. The Costco members understand Costco buyers strive to offer their members an amazing selection of consumables, whether food or non-food items at a value. While the average Costco store is upwards of 180,000 square feet, they only carry about 3,500 SKU’s. Compare this to your local grocery store that may be ¼ the size and upwards of 30,000 SKU’s. As a result of the limited selection of items, the sales in Costco can be significantly greater than any other retailer in the world. Your business will greatly benefit from the exposure and reach that the being in Costco can provide. 

Next Step Club Solutions, Your International Sales and Solutions Agency to Costco 

Access to Millions of Costco Members 


Did you know that Costco is one of North America’s fastest-growing retailers? With the total membership card holders approaching 113 million, Costco holds a loyal, excitable membership base that could grow your business exponentially. 


Members Trust Costco 


Costco has built a reputation for the quality of its products and services, resulting in a very high level of member satisfction. Its product assortment, which is carefully selected by its buyers and merchandisers, features an average of 3,500 SKUs. 


Costco’s private label brand, Kirkland Signature conveys a sense of unsurpassed quality, value, and consistency to their members. If being a potential vendor for Costco’s Kirkland Signature brand, our team has the experience and understanding to guide you navigate this process. 


Rising Above the Competition 


Costco Wholesale is the second-largest retailer in the United States.  And, unlike many competitive retailers, Costco continues to grow despite any economic challenges we may be facing as a country. Why is this? Because the Costco Buyers work hard to provide their members high quality goods at a value and when every dollar counts, this is critical to both families and businesses. Members appreciate this approach and continue to shop at Costco. 


Since opening in the early 1980’s, Costco management team has demonstrated a strong fiscal responsibility which than some of its peers, making it the perfect partner in retailing. 


Costco is Selling 


Costco Wholesale Corp. generates about $4,000 in sales every second. You might find that fact hard to believe, but it’s true. Their sales in FY21 were $192 Billion in their 828 locations.   


This is another reason why big and small businesses alike are looking to get their products into Costco and reach the millions of members who visit the store each year.

Become a Vendor for Costco 


By selling to Costco, you reach more consumers and generate more sales revenue, which translates to greater success for your business. That’s why we help connect entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and importers get their products in front of Costco buyers — so they can reap the benefits of selling to Costco. 


Selling Into Costco Made Easy


We’re connecting manufacturers and importers from around the world with Costco, ensuring success for both you and Costco.  When your company has outstanding products that are on trend and something Costco is looking for, having the right Costco broker is critical and can make a challenging process less daunting.  Being a Costco supplier is the mark of achievement in today’s economy. Selling products into Costco is a huge deal and having a well thought out sales strategy will assure your success. 

  • Is Costco a Retail or Wholesale Store?

    Costco is both a retailer and a wholesaler, depending on the divisions in which it operates. 

  • Who Sells Their Products in Costco?

    Manufacturers and Importers are welcome to sell their products at Costco, provided they are approved by the Costco Buyers.

  • How Do I Sell to Costco?

    Having the right team to help you through this process is critical. You need a Costco broker that understands the process, that can outline what is needed to be successful, and has your best interest at heart.  In a nutshell, you need a team of Costco experts.  Let’s look at this another way; would you go to your auto mechanic if you needed open heart surgery or would you go to a heart specialist?   Most people would go to a heart specialist. Well, although it’s not open heart surgery, you still need to rely on a specialist to be successful in Costco. 


    Getting an item into Costco is a difficult process without someone there to help you whether it’s getting in touch with the right people or helping to develop the right item/pack for Costco, you need to work with the right Costco broker.  It is better to ask for help from experts like us than to struggle. 


    We work with Costco buyers on a daily basis, and we help our client partners understand how to get their products into Costco. You wouldn’t trust your life to your auto mechanic so why trust your Costco business with anyone else but a experienced Costco broker? 

  • What is a Costco Broker?

    Costco brokers are product placement companies who are trained to be manufacturer’s representatives through their experience and knowledge. They can help guide manufacturers, service providers and distributors through the Costco buying process. A Costco Brokers main focus is to work as an agent for prospective or current vendors or suppliers.

  • How do I work with a Costco Broker?

    Costco Brokers work on behalf of the manufacturer or supplier while continuing to support the expectations and general work flow that Costco and its buying staff require. Costco brokers will help bridge the relationship with the buyers and the manufacturer.

  • What does a Costco Broker do?

    The primary purpose of a Costco broker is to work as an agent for prospective or current Costco Wholesale vendors or suppliers. Their knowledge and experience allows them to bridge requirements, conditions, and understand buying styles by category.

  • How do I become a Costco vendor?

    You can become a Costco vendor after reviewing your products and deciding which items would be best to present to the buyers based on the category needs and timing. Once the buyers approve the items and you have completed all of the necessary requirements you will receive a vendor number thus making you a vendor of record with Costco.

  • How does Costco pick its products?

    As for what Costco chooses to stock, it all comes down to the agreement the manufacturer is willing to make with them. Costco will usually go to a company and say they want x amount of product in y size for z cost to them. It’s based on space and timing for each buyer and dept. Costco looks for Organic, better for you items with low sugar and low sodium with high volume sales potential. They keep an eye on Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and the Natural Channel to spot trends and items of interest.

  • How does Costco's supply chain work?

    An integral component of Costco’s supply chain efficiency is the cross-dock distribution (depot) facility. Costco purchases much of their merchandise directly from the manufacturers and sends it through a network of cross-docking facilities which act as vendor consolidation points to move goods in full truckload volumes to the stores.

  • What does a Costco buyer do?

    A Costco Buyers job is to buy the right products and brands that meets the needs of their members. A Costco Buyer works to bring the Costco member back year after year through a well thought out buying process.