What is Costco Next in 2024? The Essential Guide to this Exclusive New Program
Costco Next allows members access to special offers, products, and services directly from leading suppliers and brands. As this program continues to expand in 2024, here‘s an in-depth look at how it works along with an analysis of the key benefits and limitations for Costco members.
The Rapid Growth of Costco Next
First launched in 2017 with just 15 suppliers, Costco Next now features over 40 top brands across major categories as of January 2023.
Costco Chief Financial Officer Richard Galanti commented that Next "gives us the opportunity to expand our assortment and test new vendors" beyond their warehouses (Q4 2022 earnings call).
Some of the latest additions for 2024 include:
Barefoot Dreams, known for their plush blankets and apparel.
Marmot, offering outdoor gear and apparel for adventures.
Pendleton woolen blankets and accessories.
Solo Stove fire pits and heating.
Costco vetted each brand included in Next for their reputation, quality, and ability to offer members unique value.
This strategic expansion increases Costco‘s ecommerce selection as online sales grew over 10% in 2022 to reach $34 billion (Costco 2022 Annual Report).
How the Costco Next Program Works
The Costco Next platform provides a seamless way for members to access special offers and products directly from leading suppliers and brands. Here are the key steps:
Visit CostcoNext.com and browse the list of participating suppliers, spanning categories like home, apparel, jewelry, electronics, health, and beauty.
Select a supplier storefront and enter your Costco membership number.
You‘ll be redirected to that supplier‘s website to view products and exclusive member pricing.
Place orders, which are shipped and handled directly by the supplier.
Enjoy convenient delivery straight to your doorstep. Return policies vary by supplier.
Costco Next aims to curate suppliers that meet their high standards when it comes to product quality, member service, and special values.
According to management, this benefits members by complementing Costco‘s in-warehouse selection while harnessing the convenience of online ordering and direct delivery.
| Key Facts About Costco Next |
|---|
| Launched in 2017 with 15 suppliers |
| Features 40+ top brands as of January 2023 |
| Spans categories like home, apparel, electronics |
| Requires active Costco membership to order |
| Offers members-only discounted pricing |
| Orders shipped and handled by supplier |
| Convenient online ordering and delivery |
Benefits and Advantages for Costco Members
Here are some of the biggest perks and advantages that Costco Next provides members:
Exclusive Member Discounts
The brands and suppliers featured on Next offer special discounted pricing exclusively for Costco members, usually around 10-20% below retail.
For example, we found a Solo Stove Bonfire portable fire pit for $219.99 on Costco Next, compared to $259.99 direct from Solo Stove‘s site.
This members-only pricing and additional discounts create significant savings.
Expanded Product Selection
Costco Next allows the company to showcase products, brands, and categories that go beyond its in-warehouse inventory constraints. For instance, you can shop premium down jackets from Marmot or the latest Solo Stove fire pits.
According to management, this complements their warehouses while harnessing partnerships with leading suppliers.
Online Convenience
The Next platform allows members to conveniently and seamlessly shop many top brands online, with orders shipped directly to their door. This expands Costco‘s ecommerce capabilities and selection.
Rather than making a trip to the warehouse, you can browse Costco Next from anywhere, place orders, and get speedy delivery.
High-Quality Brands
Costco thoroughly vets and selects the companies featured on Next for their product quality, reputation, and customer service. For example, Barefoot Dreams is known for its ultra-soft fabrics while Marmot is a trusted outdoor gear brand.
This gives members access to top manufacturers and exclusive products.
Potential Drawbacks and Limitations
While Costco Next opens up new shopping possibilities, there are some caveats that members should be aware of:
Purchases do not qualify for Costco‘s 2% executive rewards or credit card cashback.
Costco‘s generous return policy does not apply; exchanges and returns are handled by the supplier.
Inventory, pricing, sales, and offers may differ from Costco.com and in-warehouse.
Limited selection compared to the thousands of products at Costco warehouses.
Requires Costco membership and does not offer non-member pricing.
Some exclusions apply and offers subject to change.
Still, Costco Next provides a seamless, convenient way for existing members to unlock special values, deals, and products directly from leading brands.
Conclusion
With new additions for 2024 like Barefoot Dreams, Marmot, and Solo Stove, Costco Next continues to grow into an exciting exclusive benefit for members. It unlocks discounted pricing, top brands, convenient online ordering, and products that complement their warehouse selection.
While Costco Next has some limitations like membership requirements and a limited catalog compared to Costco‘s total selection, it still adds a compelling new dimension to the membership program.
