Costco Connection - October 2009

“Department stores were selling their own branded cookware,” recalls Kathy, now an assistant general merchandise manager. “And we were meeting resistance from name-brand manufacturers who didn’t want to see their merchandise sold at Costco prices.”

Kathy saw Kirkland Signature as the perfect way to offer premium-quality cookware with Costco value, convinced upper management to give it a shot and empowered her team to run with it.

For Costco’s housewares team, the biggest challenge is fluctuations in the prices of commodities, such as aluminum and stainless steel. “The sell price and what is in the set,” Sam says, “depend on the cost of the raw materials.

“We have the product built to very high specifications,” adds Erin, “making sure our products meet or exceed the standards set by the CMA [Cookware Manufacturers Association] and NSF [National Sanitation Foundation]. “Our focus is to develop sets that appeal to not only the everyday cook, but the gourmet chef as well.”

Over the years, every aspect of the cookware has been improved—the gauge, the handles, durability—but it’s the nonstick technology improvements that excite the team the most.

And Kathy adds, “This is an incredible level of quality at an amazing price. Our cookware sets are the best value in the market.”—Steve Fisher

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Sweet history
in the making

Kirkland Signature European cookies with Belgian chocolate bring together the best of two worlds—buttery cookie combined with smooth-melting, high-quality Belgian chocolate. Now in its 15th year, the program behind this high-end, lim-ited-quantity Kirkland Signature delicacy improves with each outing.

“We sell literally millions of tins between September 1 and the end of December, at which time they are completely sold out,” says Kristen Hayes, a buyer with the program.

The reasons behind their popularity are deceptively straightforward: Costco’s team is constantly developing ways to bring a higher percentage of chocolate into the mix; they work closely with the

200-year-old European biscuit-making company to upgrade the cookie base; and they stay on top of trends, sampling thousands of different cookies throughout the year to be able to put together a mix of the greatest variety in regard to different cookie con-sistencies, chocolate flavors and shapes.

“To achieve this is easier said than done,” says Kristen. “We develop different chocolate formulations and different dough formulations, so that it’s not just a tin filled with different shapes of the same cookie-and-choc-olate combination. It is an exacting, exhausting process. Ultimately, given our members’ response, it’s well worth it.”—TFJ

Providing a counter balance

WHEN IT COMES to over-the-counter (OTC) medications, Costco members are provided with two levels of savings.

Sure, the name brands sell at the best prices you’ll find, compared to those offered by national grocery and drug chains. But topping that, Costco’s own Kirkland Signature private-label medications deliver the same high-quality active ingredients as the brand-name medications, at savings ranging from 30 to more than 90 percent, depending on the product.

They are the everyday medications we all use: pain relievers, acid reducers, cold and allergy relief, sleep aids and others. If you’ve treated yourself or a family member for a headache, stuffy

nose, insect bite, stiff back, fever or heartburn, there was a Kirkland Signature alternative that would have saved you money while producing the desired effect.

“Everyone is looking for savings, given the current economy,” says Susan Hudson, OTC pharmacy buyer. “Buying these Kirkland Signature products is a great way to get excellent quality and value. For example, with our Kirkland Signature Ibuprofen, you get five and a half tablets for the cost of one Advil tablet.”