Are you a bargain-hunting Costco member always on the lookout for the best deals and products? If so, you‘ll definitely want to familiarize yourself with Costco Next – a special program that grants access to a curated selection of discounted products from a variety of trusted suppliers, available exclusively to Costco members.
As an experienced retail industry analyst and consumer trends expert, I‘ve thoroughly explored the ins and outs of this unique Costco perk. Consider this your ultimate guide to maximizing value with Costco Next. I‘ll cover exactly what this program entails, how to navigate it, and plenty of insider tips to help you score some serious deals and discover great new products along the way. Let‘s get started!
Understanding the Basics of Costco Next
First, let‘s clarify what exactly Costco Next is. Launched in 2017, it‘s a program that allows Costco members to purchase select products directly from a curated group of supplier partners – all while taking advantage of members-only prices.
Essentially, Costco has developed partnerships with several dozen premium brands across various product categories – think home goods, electronics, apparel, sporting equipment, health and beauty, and much more. By featuring these suppliers on a dedicated Costco Next e-commerce site, Costco vastly expands the range of products available to members without the limitations of physical inventory and warehouse space.
Costco Next suppliers are carefully selected based on their reputations for exceptional customer service and high-quality, unique merchandise. While purchases are made through the individual supplier sites, the Costco Next platform ensures a certain level of quality and gives members confidence they‘re still getting a great deal thanks to that Costco partnership.
The Costco Next Shopping Process
Now, you‘re probably wondering how to actually shop through Costco Next and what to expect. The good news? The process is incredibly straightforward and user-friendly for Costco members.
Here‘s a simple breakdown of the Costco Next shopping experience:
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Log into your Costco.com account and head to the Costco Next portal.
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Browse featured suppliers, brands, and product categories. Use the search function to find specific items.
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Click on a product for more details, making note of the Costco member price compared to the regular retail cost.
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If you decide to purchase, you‘ll be sent to complete the transaction on the supplier‘s site. Your Costco membership number will be needed to verify eligibility for member pricing.
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From there, the supplier will handle fulfillment and shipping of your order, as well as any potential returns or customer service needs.
{{< figure src="https://querysprout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/costco-carts.jpg" alt="Costco shopping carts" >}}
One thing to note: purchases made through Costco Next generally won‘t qualify for certain Costco perks like the Executive 2% reward. However, when stacked up against the generous discounts, the overall value tends to be a lot higher than what you‘d get buying the same product elsewhere.
The Benefits of Costco Next for Members
So what‘s in it for you as a Costco member? Why should you take advantage of Costco Next? Let‘s unpack some of the key benefits:
1. A Diverse Range of Premium Products
One of the standout advantages of Costco Next is the impressive variety of unique, high-end products available. While Costco‘s physical warehouses are reliably stocked with staples like groceries, paper goods, and electronics, the selection can be limited in areas like apparel, decor, or niche kitchen gadgets simply due to inventory constraints.
Costco Next allows the company to vastly expand online offerings to members without the limitations of physical retail space. The program has steadily grown to include over 35 trusted suppliers, granting access to literally thousands of items Costco stores simply don‘t have the room to carry.
Some popular categories and brands you can expect to find through Costco Next include:
- High-end kitchen tools and appliances from Cangshan, Tramontina, and Chickapea
- Audio equipment and accessories from Anker, Focal, and Denon
- Boutique skincare and beauty brands like Boscia and Tatcha
- Stylish apparel and accessories from Adidas, Tumi, and Ugg
- Quality home furnishings from Boll & Branch, Thomasville, and Smeg
Whatever unique or specialty products you‘re in the market for, chances are high you‘ll discover some exciting options through Costco Next.
2. Prices That Are Tough to Beat
Of course, Costco Next is also a great bet for snagging some amazing deals. After all, what would a Costco program be without those unbeatable, members-only prices?
Costco‘s team works to secure extremely competitive discounts and promotions from Next suppliers, which are then passed directly to members. While the exact savings will vary, you can generally expect to see prices that are 20% to 50% lower than regular retail.
To give you a sense of the types of deals up for grabs through Costco Next, here are a few specific examples sourced in April 2023:
| Product | Regular Price | Costco Next Price | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anker SoundCore | $129.99 | $79.99 | 38% |
| All-Clad D5 10-Piece Cookware Set | $1,290.00 | $799.99 | 38% |
| Boscia Skin Perfecting Trio | $72.00 | $39.99 | 44% |
| Briggs & Riley Baseline Carry-On | $569.00 | $329.99 | 42% |
(Sources: Anker, All-Clad, Boscia, Briggs & Riley)
When you consider the premium nature of many Costco Next brands, these markdowns become even more appealing. You‘re not just getting rock-bottom prices – you‘re getting them on genuinely high-quality and desirable products.
3. Convenience and Curation
Finally, there‘s a lot to be said for the sheer convenience of the Costco Next online shopping experience. For members who live far from a warehouse or simply prefer e-commerce, being able to easily access such a wide range of vetted brands and products is a huge value-add.
With Costco Next, the hard work of identifying top suppliers and negotiating great deals has already been done for you. Instead of spending time comparison shopping or wading through endless options on mega marketplaces, you can simply browse a thoughtful, curated selection of products and trust you‘re getting an excellent item at an excellent price. It really doesn‘t get much easier!
Strategies to Maximize Costco Next
Ready to get even more out of this awesome perk? Here are some of my top tips and tactics for making the most of your Costco Next experience:
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Stay on top of new brand and product additions by checking the Costco Next site regularly, at least once a month or so. You never know what fresh deals you might find!
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Take advantage of additional savings opportunities by stacking Costco Next discounts with Costco Shop Cards, Costco Cash Cards, or any eligible manufacturer‘s coupons.
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If you‘re hesitating on a pricier Costco Next item, do your homework by checking reviews and average retail prices across other sites. Costco‘s vetting process for suppliers is stringent, but it never hurts to be an informed shopper.
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Don‘t write off Costco Next for gift shopping! The unique product selection and great prices make it a perfect place to snag impressive presents.
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Keep in mind that inventory for certain Costco Next items may be more limited than regular Costco stock. If you see an exceptional deal, you may want to act fast.
Costco Next and the Future of Retail
On a larger scale, Costco Next provides fascinating insights into Costco‘s evolving business strategy as the worlds of physical and digital retail increasingly blend together.
By partnering with premium, on-trend suppliers in key categories like home and apparel, and offering the convenience of online shopping, Costco is clearly aiming to stay top-of-mind for younger, digitally-inclined consumers. At the same time, the program allows Costco to meaningfully expand its assortment while still maintaining the "treasure hunt" feel and streamlined, curated approach to merchandising it‘s known for.
Retail industry thought leaders have taken notice of Costco Next as a smart strategic move, especially as the company looks to drive online sales growth and carve out an even bigger piece of the e-commerce pie:
"Costco has historically lagged behind other major retailers when it comes to e-commerce sales, but Costco Next shows they‘re committed to bridging that gap through marketplace-like partnerships and unique digital value propositions for members." – Doug Stephens, Retail Prophet
"By giving members the ‘best of both worlds‘ with quality and value both in-store and online, Costco is working to make its ecosystem stickier and position itself as a one-stop retail destination. Costco Next is a natural extension of that." – Sucharita Kodali, VP Principal Analyst at Forrester
The numbers back up the impact of Costco‘s efforts. The company has seen massive e-commerce growth in recent years, with online sales up over 50% year-over-year in 2020 and steadily climbing from there. While Costco Next is just one component of the retailer‘s digital strategy, its ability to drive greater purchase frequency and higher average orders from members spending online is undoubtedly valuable.
(Sources: CNBC, Retail Dive)
From my perspective, Costco Next also taps into some notable retail trends that have only accelerated since the pandemic:
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Curation and discovery: In an endless sea of online options, customers are increasingly drawn to highly curated, personalized assortments that help them cut through the clutter and find products that are uniquely suited to their needs. Costco Next does a great job at playing to the company‘s strengths in this area.
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Blending the best of online and in-store: More than ever, consumers are looking for retailers to provide a seamless, cohesive experience across both brick-and-mortar and digital touchpoints. With Costco Next, members can toggle between warehouse shopping trips and online browsing of expanded options, all tied together through the value of that Costco membership.
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Exclusivity and membership appeal: Retailers are increasingly looking to exclusive products, services, and experiences to make their membership or loyalty programs more sticky. Costco Next offers that "members only" hook for customers who are motivated by access to special deals and products.
Whether you‘re a devoted Costco fan or just an occasional shopper, I‘d definitely recommend at least taking a peek at the Costco Next site and exploring what it has to offer. I was pleasantly surprised by some of the deals I was able to find on high-end kitchen gear and decor by spending just a few minutes browsing the supplier list.
In fact, let me share a personal anecdote. I‘d been eyeing a Japanese chef‘s knife from Shun Cutlery for ages but hadn‘t been able to stomach the $200+ price tag. Lo and behold, Costco Next had it for $120 – over 40% off the retail price! Needless to say, I‘m now the proud owner of a fancy new blade, and it‘s been a joy to use in my home cooking adventures.
So, there you have it – the full scoop on all things Costco Next. I hope you found this guide informative and useful as you navigate the savvy shopper journey! As always, I‘m curious to hear about your own experiences. Have you stumbled upon any particularly great finds or deals with Costco Next? Any other tips you‘d add?
Feel free to drop a comment below, and happy shopping!
