There are many reasons why people are so devoted to their Costco memberships—bargain prices, surprisingly good booze sold under the Kirkland house brand, and the doggedly consistent $1.50 hot dog meal combo in the food court, to name just a few. Even at the new higher membership price, many consider it a worthy investment in future savings. But there’s one way to save at Costco that many longtime members don’t even know about: Costco Next.
What is Costco Next, exactly?
To be clear, this service is not new, even if this is the first time many have heard of it. As CNN explains, the program launched in 2017 and first expanded in 2021; it has steadily gained traction among savvy shoppers since then but still isn’t widely known.
Costco Next connects shoppers directly with the suppliers of Costco products and allows customers to buy online directly from those suppliers’ websites. Once there, a Costco-sized discount is applied to the purchases, making these items cheaper than what you’d find at a typical retail outlet.
Costco Next is the wholesaler’s way of meeting consumers where they are. According to CNN, online sales currently comprise a relatively small portion of Costco’s business, and the company wants to be known for its e-commerce as well as its brick-and-mortar warehouses. Finding a way to boost online sales could also result in more members. Knowing that a Costco membership might not require even a single trip through a Costco parking lot could do a lot to convince any holdouts to sign up.
Do I need a membership to order from Costco Next?
Costco Next is indeed a perk only for members. You can’t even navigate the suppliers’ websites without entering your membership info. The price of an annual membership recently increased for both individuals (by $5 per year) and business accounts (by $10 per year). That means you must pay a minimum of $65 to start shopping at Costco.
Still, with 20% off the list price of items purchased through Costco Next, plus the wide variety of in-store sales and discounts, the potential savings is usually more than enough to offset the membership cost, even after just one or two visits.
How does it work?
Costco Next has a pretty simple interface that links to the online stores of nearly 100 brands that sell their products through Costco. Clicking “Shop Now” will make a sign-in window pop up so you can verify your current and active Costco Membership. Once your credentials are supplied, you’ll be directed to the supplier’s website, which is full of Costco-specific discounts.
Anything purchased through one of these supplier websites will be handled by that supplier, meaning they will ship it directly without Costco as the intermediary. That company will also provide customer service and handle any returns you might have to make.
The company specifies on the Costco Next website that “Costco does not carry inventory for Costco Next suppliers; we simply refer members to suppliers’ websites.” That means if you see something on Costco Next and think, “I’ll just grab that the next time I visit the store,” you might be disappointed — it just doesn’t work like that. Instead, consider these suppliers a “sister store” to Costco, and you’re granted entry by way of your membership card.
What kind of things can I buy through Costco Next?
There are many heavy hitters on the Costco Next roster, suppliers whose products are typically sold at a premium: Jacuzzi, Otterbox, Anker, Nordic Ware, and Viking, among many other brands. The products available through the Costco Next interface are just as wide-ranging as those you’ll find in the stores, even if they’re not the exact same ones you see on the shelves. Cookware, vacuum cleaners, and even caskets can all be purchased in a few clicks.
Yes, caskets.
We all know Costco is a good place to buy in bulk, but that obscures the fact that it’s a good hub for big one-time purchases, too. Browsing the Costco Next website, it’s easy to see all the categories of items we forget are available at wholesale rates, from luggage to camping gear to luxury skin care products. You can even furnish your home with a few tasteful Thomas Kinkade paintings on the cheap. The only caveat with Costco Next is that some suppliers have minimum purchase amounts to qualify for the discount, so be sure to throw in a few extra Kinkades just to be safe.
