Costco Next: The Open Secret of Costco Shopping

If you're a veteran Costco shopper, you might be familiar with the limited-run vendor roadshows for high-end (but heavily discounted) items like Vitamix or Traeger grills. But did you know that Costco employs a similar strategy in an out-of-the-way online portal of its website? It’s called Costco Next.

Like the vendor roadshows that liven up Costco warehouses, particularly on weekends, Costco Next gives you a chance to buy items not normally found on the warehouse club's shelves. These limited-run deals flesh out the private label Kirkland Signature brand of products that draw shoppers in regularly.

If you've ever thought, "I wish Costco sold that," you need to check out Costco Next. The lesser known corner of the Costco website is one of the best-kept secrets for Costco members that helps you score member's only pricing even when you're not shopping at Costco. Here's what you need to know.

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What is Costco Next?

Costco Next showcases a selection of limited products from some of Costco’s "most trusted suppliers." Think of it like a carefully curated online marketplace with the convenience of Amazon, but the quality of established, high-end brands like Nordic Ware or Briggs & Riley. Most of the products available on the website are in the home goods, tech, fashion and outdoors realms — a hodgepodge of brands you might know and some you probably don’t.

When you find something you like on Costco Next, you'll be transferred to the suppliers’ site to purchase the product directly. But instead of paying the full list price, you'll enjoy special discounts and deals available only to Costco members. The supplier is responsible for shipping, providing customer service and handling returns.

To let the warehouse giant explain it, “This innovative approach helps us achieve our goal of bringing a broader selection of goods to our members while increasing the value of the Costco membership.” That’s a smart play, considering Costco recently raised its annual membership fees for the first time in seven years.

But Costco Next isn’t new. It’s been around since 2017. Lately, however, Costco has been adding more and more brands to the limited-run site. And other warehouse club chains, like BJ’s and Sam’s Club, don’t appear to have an equivalent of what Costco is doing online with Costco Next.

So, how good are the deals you'll find? We found discounts ranging from 20% to over 50% off on everything from premium luggage to solar-powered generators to luxurious bathtubs.

There are currently over 90 brands included in the Costco Next universe. Some are familiar: Mikasa dinnerware, Dearfoams slippers and Thomas Kinkade Studios fine art. You’ll also find Artika lighting products, Baggallini accessories, Bench activewear, Cangshan handcrafted cutlery, Briggs & Riley luggage and Golden Arowana flooring, among others.

Just note that anything you buy directly from the supplier doesn't count toward the 2% rewards calculation for Costco Executive members.

Not a member yet? You'll need to sign up if you want to browse any Costco Next deals. Luckily, you can save up to $40 on a Costco membership right now thanks to a special offer through Stack Social.

How do I use Costco Next?

You can access Costco Next by going to CostcoNext.com. You can also find the link nested at the top left of the Costco home page. Once you're on the page, make sure you're signed into your Costco account so you can see the deals. After that, you'll be able to scroll down and browse Costco's supplier brands. You can also sort brands by clicking on the "Brands by Name" or "Shop by Category" links at the top of the page.

When you click on a brand, say Body Glove, you'll be sent to the brand's exclusive website for Costco members. All the prices, deals, and special product bundles you see on this page are for member's only. Open a new tab in your browser to navigate to the brand's regular site if you want to compare your member's only pricing with the prices non-members are paying.

For example, a Briggs & Riley carry-on spinner that normally retails for $499 is available through Costco Next for $410. Meanwhile, a 10-cup Induction Heating Pressure Rice Cooker from Cuckoo that normally sells for $590 is available to Costco members for $285.

But be careful about how prices display when in the Costco Next portals. Some brands will show the Costco price upfront. But others show a higher list price and tell shoppers the Costco member discount will show up at checkout. And always doublecheck other retailers to make sure that special Costco Next price really is the best deal around.

Bob was Senior Editor at Kiplinger.com for seven years and is now a contributor to the website. He has more than 40 years of experience in online, print and visual journalism. Bob has worked as an award-winning writer and editor in the Washington, D.C., market as well as at news organizations in New York, Michigan and California. Bob joined Kiplinger in 2016, bringing a wealth of expertise covering retail, entertainment, and money-saving trends and topics. He was one of the first journalists at a daily news organization to aggressively cover retail as a specialty and has been lauded in the retail industry for his expertise. Bob has also been an adjunct and associate professor of print, online and visual journalism at Syracuse University and Ithaca College. He has a master’s degree from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and a bachelor’s degree in communications and theater from Hope College.

With contributions from