Frequently Asked Questions: Kirkland Signature
Harvest Group’s dedicated Costco team brings 200+ years of collective Costco expertise and direct relationships with key Costco stakeholders. We’ve helped both brands and manufacturers secure and support Kirkland Signature items across categories, and we understand what it takes to win and maintain these programs.
As an integrated commerce agency, we also connect your Costco strategy to the bigger picture—aligning in-store execution, digital commerce, and retail media to drive results across every touchpoint.
Whether you’re exploring what it would take to become a Kirkland Signature supplier or looking to scale an existing Costco business, we’re here to help. Visit our Costco page to learn more, and fill out our Contact Us form to get the conversation started.
1. How long does it typically take to become a Costco Kirkland Signature supplier?
For most, becoming a Kirkland Signature supplier is a multi-year process. Plan for 12-24 months from early conversations to seeing product in-club, accounting for formulation work, packaging development, audits, line readiness, and potential test phases.
2. Does Costco care about sustainability and waste reduction?
Yes. Costco expects suppliers to understand and share their impact across the full product lifecycle—from production and transport to consumer use and disposal. Come prepared with a concise view of how you reduce waste, optimize packaging, and support responsible end-of-life for the product.
3. Can smaller or emerging brands realistically become a Kirkland Signature supplier?
Yes, if they can meet Costco’s standards. Kirkland Signature isn’t limited to the biggest manufacturers; it’s limited to suppliers who can deliver national-brand-level quality, cost transparency, and reliable execution at scale.
That said, smaller brands should also have a stable business outside of Costco. If a KS item gets discontinued, operations should be able to sustain the transition without that volume.
4. What makes a product a good candidate for Kirkland Signature instead of a national brand item?
A strong Kirkland Signature candidate can deliver national-brand quality at a clearly better value, with reliable production at Costco scale. It should also meaningfully improve the member experience through quality, pack size, or price, beyond what existing national brand items provide.
5. What value does Costco expect Kirkland Signature items to deliver versus national brands?
Costco typically expects Kirkland Signature products items to offer around 20–30% better value than comparable branded products on the warehouse floor. But value isn’t purely about price. It can also mean cleaner ingredients, better formulations, or added benefits that make the product meaningfully better for members.
The threshold can vary by category and buyer, so suppliers should be prepared to demonstrate both competitive pricing and a clear reason why their product is the better choice.
Interested in learning more about working with Harvest Group at Costco?
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