The Costco Connection - September 2018

Follow us on

®

The Costco Connection is published by Costco Wholesale. All editorial material, including editorial comments, opinion and statements of fact appearing in this publication, represents the views of the respective authors and does not necessarily carry the endorsement of Costco Wholesale or its officers. Information in the Costco Connection is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed. The publication of any advertisements is not to be construed as an endorsement of the product or service offered unless it is specifically stated in the ad that there is such approval or endorsement. Products advertised may not be available at all locations at the time of publication.

Publishing offices are located at 999 Lake Drive, Issaquah, WA 98027.

Seasons of Costco

he calendar says that autumn doesn’t
arrive until September ;;, but we’re in full
holiday mode here at Costco. It’s not that
anybody here is eager to leave summer
and its wonderfully lazy days for winter. It’s just that
we follow a different calendar when it comes to
what’s available in the warehouses and when.

We call it the seasons of Costco. It’s an early-in, early-out philosophy that is one of many steps our buyers and warehouse operators take to keep prices as low as possible. By bringing in products before the peak demand seasons, we are able to secure favorable prices, plan for optimal display areas in the warehouses and clear everything out early so we can avoid the traditional, costly markdowns in the retail industry, which affect profits. It all boils down to efficiency and finding whatever ways we can to deliver value to our members.

I often lightheartedly apologize to my friends for the Christmas items they find at Costco in September. It does seem sometimes that we’re rushing things. But I have become comfortable getting my holiday preparations and purchases done early, and the great prices make it worthwhile.

Also, as online shopping has become more and more popular, I’m finding Costco.com to be very helpful as a holiday shopping option. The expanded online selection complements what’s available in the warehouses—and having big items delivered is a huge convenience.

Early-in, early-out is part of Costco’s unique low-overhead business model. Like millions of members, I have come to adapt to it. And I find it makes the holidays more relaxing, because the hard work is done in advance. Still, I’m not putting away my summer toys just yet.

T

PUBLISHER Sandy Torrey storrey@costco.com

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Tim Talevich 425-313-6759 ttalevich@costco.com

EDITORS, U.S.

T. Foster Jones 425-313-6748 tod.jones@costco.com

Stephanie E. Ponder 425-427-7134 sponder@costco.com

EDITOR, CANADA

Hana Medina 425-313-6442 hanamedina@costco.com

EDITOR, UK

Will Fifield 425-313-6988 wfifield@costco.com

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

Ron Damiani, Canada ron.damiani@costco.com

Sue Knowles, UK sknowles@costco.co.uk

Heather Seoyoung Lee, Korea hsylee@costcokr.com

Yuko Nakagawa, Japan connection@costco.co.jp

Abelardo Navarrete, Mexico anavarrete@costco.com.mx

Nora Wang, Taiwan norawang@costco.com.tw

Casey Lang, Australia, casey.lang@costco.com.au

REPORTERS

Steve Fisher steve.fisher@costco.com

Christina Guerrero cguerrero2@costco.com

COPY EDITOR Miriam Bulmer

CONTRIBUTORS

Annette Alvarez-Peters, Laura Bode, Hope Katz Gibbs, Peter Greenberg, Amanda Horowitz, Judi Ketteler, Jane Langille, Beth Luce, Marly McMillen, Suze Orman, Andrea Downing Peck, Kristen Pope, Marc Saltzman, Pattie Simone