Campus Drive (local success story)
Many times, Special Events add local flavor.
Missoula, Montana–based and family-owned
Campus Drive, with an exceptional line of licensed
collegiate apparel for men, women and kids, plans
each individual warehouse event to feature only
nearby colleges and universities. Upgrades are
numerous, including the use of heavier-weight
fleece and cotton, and logos that are embroidered,
not stamped. Savings are 30 to 50 percent better What’s
than student bookstore prices. The program, which began as a small, local event, now shows up at coming
Costcos across the country.
Human Touch (personalized service) in “Costco is the perfect setting for products that ’09?
are better appreciated if they can be tried out by
members, demonstrated in person by the manu-
COSTCO’S Leslie Watson
facturer or staffed by an expert to answer ques-
says, “The ’09 lineup
tions,” reports Special Events buyer Kara Hawker.
“This is why Human Touch® massage chairs are
promises to be exciting,
with new events and ever-
an ideal match.”
changing items.”
Human Touch, with its patented technology rep-
Apparel events will
licating the hands, wrists and thumbs of a profes-
focus on new styles
sional masseuse, is the top supplier of state-of-the-art
and brands, licensed
massage chairs in America. The chairs are recognized
sportswear, environmen-
by the American College of Chiropractic Ortho- tally friendly materials,
pedists as a valid supplement to back-care therapies, fashion-forward, fitness
and are preferred and recommended by the World apparel, occupation and
Federation of Chiropractic and medical profession- school uniforms, and
als for the relief of muscular aches and pains. SPF-rated clothing.
Domestics are also
Little Giant Ladder Systems (expansion) greatly enhanced. Look
Special Events buyers also work to provide for alternative materials
opportunities for suppliers to expand their prod-
and higher-end products
uct offerings from beyond the Special Event item
such as microfiber bed-
and into different Costco departments or onto
ding; organic bedding
Costco.com.
made of cotton, bamboo or
Little Giant® Ladder Systems is a perfect
soy; throws and pillows;
example. The company’s first association with
and infant products.
IRIDIO PHOTOGRAPHY
Costco was in Special Events featuring their multi-
Many new categories,
purpose articulated ladder. Member response was
including pet supplies,
extremely positive to this space-saving superstar
solar solutions, recharge-
and its ability to perform the jobs of numerous
able LED lighting products,
ladders that would cost nearly $800. Now other
medical scooters, non-
Little Giant Ladder Systems products, such as the
The team looks at five different ways to categorize event candidates: treasures, local success stories,
personalized service, expanding product lines to
other Costco departments and brand recognition.
Here are just a few examples.
compact MegaLite, are available in many Costco
spring mattresses, outdoor
hardware aisles and on Costco.com.
gazebos, scrapbooks and
Vita-Mix (brand recognition)
supplies, and more, are
under consideration.
Made-in-America Vita-Mix®, a pioneer and
To stay current, check
leader in quality blending equipment, is a natural
out the monthly Special
Jewelry to Your Doorstep (treasures)
Unique treasures at exceptional savings, such as
those from Jewelry to Your Doorstep, are a cornerstone of the program.
This company puts on quite the warehouse
jewelry fashion show. Happy repeat customers line
up early. Tables display gorgeous necklaces, earrings, bracelets and more. Many of the pieces are
made of sterling silver and beautiful natural stones
in styles ranging from classic to cutting edge and
are personally designed by the company’s owner.
Savings are as much as 30 percent over similar
pieces offered by national retailers.
for the Special Events program.
Events calendar in each
Member excitement is palpable at Vita-Mix
5200 warehouse demonstrations, in which one
issue of The Connection
(caveat: This list is not
machine performs more than 50 culinary jobs
complete—events often
with no extra attachments. I recently watched a
change between planning
large gathering of members ooh and ah as healthy
and publication), visit
smoothies and made-from-scratch hot soups
Costco.com and click “In
The Warehouse,” read the
utes and then presented for sampling. listings outside the ware-
using Costco produce were “Vita-Mixed” in min-
Always remember: Products featured at house entrance … and
Special Events are available only for the length of walk each and every ware-
time the show runs in each warehouse. If you house aisle. C
snooze you lose. C
