A Big Change Is Coming To Costco's Website
Have you ever shopped at a Costco? This chain of stores boasts more than 500 locations across the U.S., and is well loved by many a home cook for its deeply discounted prices on kitchen staples such as nut butters, olive oil, canned tuna, and quinoa. In addition to ingredients and ready-to-eat foods, the chain also retails a number of appliances ranging from Instant Pots to air fryers — making Costco a reliable destination for those who spend a lot of time in the kitchen.
Although it was recently reported that the chain's current membership fees are likely to increase by this fall, a Costco membership is still more than worth it for plenty of shoppers. And for shoppers who like to order things online in addition to browsing Costco shelves, they'll surely be excited to hear information from the chain's most recent earnings call, which revealed plans to make those experiences even smoother.
Improved app functionality and expanded online shopping options is coming to Costco
If you're a Costco member, then you might have direct experience with two of its online offerings: an online e-commerce platform called Costco Logistics, which offers in-home delivery and installation services for items purchased on the retailer's website, and Costco Next, a shopping website to which the chain refers customers to buy from trusted brands such as Klymit camping gear and Dearfoams slippers at competitive prices. And in Costco's most recent earnings call, the transcription of which was published on The Motley Fool, the brand laid out plans to make both offerings more enticing for customers.
"It continues to improve, much improved layout, the ability to view warehouse receipts online, the ability to reschedule e-comm deliveries in the U.S. and Canada, as well as reschedule returns pickups," Richard Galanti, Costco's Chief Financial Officer said of Costco Logistics. "Later this month, we'll have our warehouse inventory along with the Instacart inventory online and be able to see all the detail of our in-line — in-store merchandise as well," he added.
Improvements to Costco Next are planned as well, according to the call's transcript. "We added a few additional suppliers. So we now have 37 suppliers online and growing," Galanti said. "Again, Costco Next has about 1,000 items on it, curated items that Costco values." So if you're a member, you can look forward to improved ease of use of the store's online services.