How to Sell Your Products to Costco

How to sell your products to costcoNo matter your product, for a retailer, getting in front of new customers is at the core of your success.

As one of the few big retail stores to have survived in the world of Amazon, getting your products in-store at Costco would be a huge opportunity for any brand. 

Costco is a membership-only big box store, often used by other, smaller retail owners. Here’s how to become a Costco supplier.

Your different options for selling in Costco

Costco is no longer just a physical store –– customers can now shop their catalog from the comfort of their own homes. But how do I get my product in Costco?

Initially, even as other big retailers shifted and strengthened their online presence, Costco really only focused on selling in-store. But after the coronavirus pandemic hit, and many people relied on online shopping, they reassessed their selling strategies. As online shopping rates soared across the country, Costco and its suppliers adapted to online orders. 

Selling on Costco.com

Unlike Walmart and Amazon, Costco's online store is made up only of Costco vendors –– it’s not a third-party marketplace. If you meet the right conditions, you can sell on Costco.com and also in their brick-and-mortar stores. 

While in-store shoppers need to be Costco members, most products sold through Costco.com are available to non-members. 


Selling in Costco stores

Online shelf space is practically infinite, but if you want to sell your products in Costco stores, you’ll have a lot more competition. To prove yourself as a vendor worthy of being stocked on physical shelves, you’ll have to prove to Costco that your product will be successful and competitive. 

Remember that, due to the bulk nature of in-store Costco purchases, you’ll be required to provide a much higher stock volume than other stores. Make sure that your company will be able to process this. Determine the discount you'll give – and the new price point.  

There are benefits for both online and in-store - determining which is better for your product really depends on your price point, target market, and product type. For example, if you’re selling a high-end luxury shampoo with a $30 price point, it won’t exactly fly off shelves. But it could go gangbusters on the online store, where customers can compare the price with other websites. 

Costco Roadshows

This is a special event where brands can set up mini pop-up stalls to show off their products to Costco members. Usually, they last for a week to ten days, with all types of companies coming to show off and sell their wares. This can be a great way to get in front of a new batch of consumers and is a stepping stone to becoming a Costco supplier. 

Costco storefront with logo

Applying to be a Costco supplier

Here are the steps to take if you want to sell your products in Costco:

  • Contact head office

There’s no online application form; instead, potential suppliers will have to get in contact via phone. Here’s a list of their contact information sorted by region.

  • Wait for a follow-up call.

 If they’re interested, you’ll hear back from the division office –– they’ll want a list of your products and a bit of information on each one. Be ready to answer questions about your products’ marketability and your financial information. From here, your Costco vendor application is forwarded to the Category Buyer, who determines the applicability of your product. 

  • Get audited

Once the Category Buyer deems your products worthy of being stocked in Costco, they’ll send a team of auditors to your production facilities to inspect your work standards. If you pass, then you’ll be granted permission to be a Costco vendor. Yay!

  • Start selling!

If you’re selling on Costco.com, you want to be sure you’ve got a fully-functioning website equipped for eCommerce. That way, you can integrate your current online store with Costco.com easily. 

Note: Costco has pledged to provide opportunities for qualified local minority-owned and women-owned suppliers in the community wherever possible. If you fall under this umbrella, applying for their Supplier Diversity Program is a great way to get a leg-up in your application to become a vendor. 

Of course, there is an easier way to do it. At Buffalo Market,, we service some of the fastest-moving brands in the biggest retailers like Costco and others. Rather than endure a lengthy application and approval process with Costco, why not work with a distributor who will represent your brand to our retail partners and get your products on the shelves?
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Things to keep in mind when applying to be a Costco supplier

Work on your online presence

You don’t need to be a social media superstar, but having a devoted audience who engages with your content is a great way to show Costco that you’re a legit brand with built-in consumers.

How can I get Costco's interest as a smaller brand? Build a loyal audience that has high engagement and unique value props coming from your brand. Presenting this in a pitch deck will make your brand look spectacular and entice them to give you shelf space.

Invest in good packaging

If you’re going to be selling in stores, you need to make sure that your products stand out from everything else on the shelves. What will make consumers reach for your product over the hundreds of others around it? Work with effective branding designers who can really take your product to the next level.

Canon camera on a tripod with a bright yellow background

Invest in photography and professional media

Be sure to have clear and well-lit product shots –– you might want to invest in a professional for this. Also, keep in mind that products are found on Costco.com through searches. The more descriptive your product name and description are, the more likely it is to show up high in the results.

Know Costco’s standards before you start your application

Costco has certain benchmarks and standards that your products need to meet before you can be enlisted as a supplier. Make sure yours qualify; you don’t want to waste all your time with applications if they’re not suitable. How can I learn about Costco's product standards? Reach out to a brand representative and see if they can give you the pitch on how products are chosen and what they might look for in potential candidates. If you have relationships with other CPG brands, see if they have any insight into what it feels like to be a Costco product. 

Research your price points

People shop at Costco mainly to bulk buy, which means lower-than-normal prices. Have a look at the pricing of competitor products at Costco, and use those as a guide to determine the best price point for your products. You don’t want to be too cheap, but you definitely don’t want to overprice yourself!

Figure out where your stock will sit in-store

You should have a good knowledge of the store’s layout and what your stock will look like on shelves. Pay a visit to your local Costo and scope it out.

Offer discounts to any customer who leaves reviews about your products

After all, we know that a lot of consumers make purchasing decisions based on other customer reviews. 

Work with a distributor that already knows Costco

Selling your product at Costco has the potential to fast-track your brand to stardom.  You can certainly go the long way around and give Costco's office a call, or you can sign up with a distributor that's already shown proven success representing its brands in Costco.

Reach out to one of our distribution experts today to find out how Buffalo Market can help get your brand on some of the most coveted shelves in retail. 
Get in touch today

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