inside costco

Kirkland Signature nitrile gloves
are a hands-down winner

THEY’RE NOT WHAT you’d call a glamour product. But exam gloves are the workhorse tools of everyone from medical and health-care professionals to auto mechanics, gardeners and hobbyists, providing safe, secure protection from potentially hazardous substances or just keeping hands clean during messy projects.

The problem with conventional natural-rubber latex gloves, as some who work regularly with them have discovered, is latex sensitivity—an allergic reaction to wearing or touching (or, for patients, being touched by) latex.

It was this challenge that put

Costco buyers Greg Shavey and Andrea Padilla to work.

“As soon as we recognized the problems with latex, we began looking at what other options existed,” says Greg.

One option was nitrile, a man-made substance already used in exam gloves. “The problem with nitrile was, although it provides superior barrier protection, it was quite a bit more expensive than latex, and doesn’t possess all the same attributes as latex, such as dexterity and sensitivity,” says Andrea.

However, as the price of natural latex rose, the cost gap between the two closed. And, working with Kimberly-Clark, which developed a proprietary nitrile technology, Costco has been able to introduce a Kirkland Signature™ nitrile glove that combines the best of latex and nitrile while eliminating the problems of allergy and latex sensitivity.

The new manufacturing process boosts

More value
on glasses

COSTCO OPTICAL NOW delivers extra savings on prescription eyewear. When you buy a pair of prescription glasses, you will save $25 off each additional pair purchased.

“Costco has chosen to pass on this significant savings to members, an average of up to 20 percent off our already low prices,” says Art Salas, assistant vice president of Costco Optical. “With our selection of brand-name frames, high-quality lenses and outstanding ser-

FRANCE FREEMAN

nitrile’s tensile strength—the force required to break through the glove—to increase its already superior barrier-protection qualities.

“The new process allows for a reduction in glove thickness, which means that less force is required to stretch the material,” says Greg. “This also provides the latex-free Kirkland Signature nitrile glove with flexibility and sensitivity. This makes our gloves easy to don, with a fit that is preferred by more users for reduced hand fatigue throughout long shifts.”

Whether you’re performing general health care, changing a diaper or pulling the carburetor off your GTO, you need gloves that provide excellent barrier protection, comfort and value.

Kirkland Signature nitrile gloves fit that description like a, well, you know.

—T. Foster Jones

vice, I can’t see how our members could afford not to purchase their eyeglasses from Costco Optical.”

Nearly all Costco Optical Centers are open the same hours as the warehouses. See your local warehouse for details. C

$25 OFF a weekly rental*

That’s on top of your

member discount!

Rent an Avis luxury car, minivan or
SUV for a minimum of five days and
you can receive $25 off your rental.
Rental must begin by 6/30/07.

Include your Avis Worldwide
Discount (AWD) A108347 and
Coupon MUGH191 in your reservation.
Clip this page and present it at the Avis
counter upon arrival. Please be pre-
pared to show your Costco membership
card.

Book online at costco.com or
call Costco Travel toll free at
1-877-849-2730.

*Coupon valid on a luxury car (Group H), convertible (Group K), sports car (Group S), SUV (Group F, W, L and Z), minivan (Group V), passenger van (Group P), and specialty car (Group X). Dollars off applies to the time and mileage charges only on a minimum five-day rental period. Taxes, concession recovery fees, vehicle license recovery fee, customer facility charges ($10/contract in CA) and fuel charges are extra. Optional items, such as LDW ($22.99/day or less, except Louisiana, $49.99/day or less), and other surcharges may apply and are extra. Coupon must be surrendered at time of rental; one coupon per rental. An advance reservation is required. May not be used in conjunction with any other coupon, promotion or offer, except your member discount. Coupon valid at participating Avis locations in the contiguous U. S. and Canada. Offer subject to vehicle availability at time of rental and may not be available on some rates at some times. For reservations made through costco.com, dollars off will be applied at time of rental, subject to vehicle availability. Renter must meet Avis age, driver and credit requirements. Minimum age may vary by location. An additional daily surcharge may apply for renters under 25 years old. Rental must begin by 6/30/07. Travel purchases are not included in the Executive Membership 2% Re ward program. All prices are in U.S. dollars. Costco Travel disclaims liability for any inaccuracies or typographical errors. Costco Travel is a registered seller of travel and travel agency in the following states: Washington (WST 602042600); Ohio (8789302); Florida (Fla. Seller of Travel Reg. No.ST32555); and California (CST 2054248-50). Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the state of California