Costco Just Quietly Shut Down One of Its Member Perks

Costco members are used to finding things they didn't know they needed. This time, some shoppers are discovering something they didn't even know they had.

Costco has quietly shut down Costco Next, a lesser-known program that gave members access to special prices when shopping directly from participating brands.

There wasn't much fanfare surrounding the closure. In fact, Costco's website now simply tells shoppers that access to Costco Next storefronts is no longer available.

What Was Costco Next?

Costco Next wasn't another section of Costco.com. Instead, it connected Costco members with participating suppliers, where they could shop directly from the brands and receive special Costco member prices.

The program included products in categories like:

• Cookware

• Luggage

• Electronics

• Furniture

• Outdoor equipment

• Beauty products

• Pet supplies

• Clothing

Brands in the program included names like: 

• Anker

• Caraway

• Briggs & Riley

• Travelpro

• Viking Culinary

• Priority Bicycles

and plenty of others.

The idea for Costco Next dates back to 2016, although Costco has said it took a few years to fully develop the program.

By early 2026, more than 90 brands were part of the Costco Next lineup. Basically, it was another way to stretch a Costco membership beyond what we could find in the warehouse.

When Did Costco Next End?

Unfortunately, if you're hoping to browse those deals now, you're out of luck. As of September 2nd, Costco's customer service page says access to Costco Next is no longer available. The company hasn't publicly explained why it ended the program, and it doesn’t seem like there was much warning for members. 

That's interesting because Costco was pretty enthusiastic about Costco Next not long ago. During the company's third-quarter earnings call in May 2025, CFO Gary Millerchip said Costco Next had generated as much sales during that quarter as it had during the entire 2022 fiscal year.

He also said the company was excited about new vendors coming into the program. Now, a little more than a year later, Costco Next has discontinued operations altogether.

What If You Already Bought Something?

Here's where Costco Next worked a little bit differently from regular Costco shopping. The participating suppliers sold and shipped the products themselves. They also handled customer service, returns, and warranties.

That arrangement still matters now that Costco Next is gone. Costco is directing members with eligible returns or warranty questions to the vendors directly. Its customer service page includes contact information for dozens of former participating brands that still have active return policies.

So, if you have a Costco Next purchase sitting at home with a problem, don't automatically load it into the car for a trip back to the warehouse. Check Costco's vendor list first.

There Was Another Catch to Costco Next

Costco Next had another important difference from regular Costco purchases. Orders made through supplier websites didn't qualify for Costco's 2% Executive Member reward.

That's because Costco wasn't selling the products directly. Instead, it connected members with selected suppliers and gave them access to Costco-negotiated prices.

The supplier handled the transaction from there. That may have made Costco Next one of the more unusual Costco member benefits, but it also allowed members to shop a much wider range of products without Costco having to stock them in its warehouses.

Why Did Costco Next End?

For now, we don't know. Costco hasn't publicly provided a reason for ending Costco Next. That leaves plenty of room for theories, particularly because the program wasn't well known to some Costco shoppers.

But, little awareness doesn't necessarily mean poor performance. Remember, Costco was reporting substantial growth in the program as recently as 2025. Until the company says more, everything else is pure speculation.

One Less Place to Find a Costco Deal

Costco Next may never have enjoyed the fame of Kirkland Signature or the $1.50 hot dog combo, but it offered members something different.

At various points, the program went well beyond everyday household goods, offering everything from bicycles and luggage to outdoor structures, artwork, and even caskets. Yes, caskets.

It seems there were very few shopping lists Costco Next wasn't prepared to tackle. For now, though, Costco members have one less place to hunt for a deal. And, if you're just learning that Costco Next existed because Costco shut it down, you're definitely not alone.

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