What Is Costco Next? Everything You Need to Know About This Lesser-Known Service
Updated: Jul. 27, 2023
Think you know about every Costco discount? Think again! Here's how Costco Next can help you save even more cash.
Costco might be your go-to destination for groceries, cheap gas, housewares and even savings on travel packages, but there’s another little-known way to reap the benefits of your Costco membership. It turns out the popular warehouse chain has a program called Costco Next that can score you more discounts straight from suppliers. Here’s how to get more bang for your Costco membership buck.
Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for shopping, humor, cleaning, travel, tech and fun facts all week long.
What is Costco Next?
Costco Next is a program from Costco that allows you to buy items directly from vendors at a discounted price. According to the program, Costco Next features suppliers and products that have been hand-selected by their buyers. They showcase trusted suppliers and offer you an exclusive, limited-time deal via the manufacturer’s website. Sounds simple, right? It is! But there’s a bit more you need to know before your next shopping spree.
How does shopping with Costco Next work?
Shopping with Costco Next only adds a few extra steps to your online shopping routine. You’ll start on the Costco Next website, where you will browse the showcased retailers. Once you find a retailer you’d like to shop (brands include Viking, Travelpro, Case-Mate and more), you’ll click “Shop Now.” From there, you’ll click the product or category you’d like to see. Costco will then prompt you for your first name, last name and Costco membership card number before you’re redirected to shop on the selected retailer’s website.
Wherever you shop, each item clearly displays the Costco-exclusive price, so there are no surprises (and no need to understand Costco price codes). At checkout, you may notice a couple of things. First, general shipping is included in the Costco discounts from most retailers (even for heavy gym equipment). Some retailers also offer more expedient shipping options for an added cost. Second, some retailers require a minimum purchase before you can check out. For example, when shopping on a brand’s site via Costco Next, the minimum order amount might be $40.
Do you need a Costco membership to take advantage of the program?
Unfortunately, if you don’t have a Costco membership, you won’t be able to use Costco Next. You must sign in with your membership credentials to get the deals, and there’s no Costco’s secret loophole for people who don’t have a membership card.
What products are available?
You can expect to find the same great variety of products and brands with Costco Next as you do shopping in-store. Currently, the program has retailer deals on everything from beauty products and fitness equipment to kitchen appliances and luggage, all organized by retailer. You can also find iPhone cases and accessories, electric bikes, dog apparel, artwork and more. Some of the retailers you may recognize include:
- Anker
- Butter London
- Case-Mate
- Cuckoo
- Dearfoams
- Inspire
- Mikasa
- Travelpro
- Viking
If you haven’t found what you’re looking for on Costco Next, don’t forget to check back later. The program is frequently adding new brands and products.
Sources:
- Costco Next: “About the Program”
Originally Published: July 27, 2023
