ABOUT US
Next Step Club Solutions
Next Step is a company that is exclusively focused on selling to Costco Wholesale. We are based in Washington with Associates located across the country allowing for regional buyer coverage. Our team has collectively over 100 years of experience in the Costco space with an extraordinary success rate and strong buyer relationships. We have the understanding, creativity and knowledge of the Costco buying process to be able to guide our clients develop and navigate their business within Costco. We are essentially an extension of your sales team.
From Start-Ups to Top CPG Companies
From working with small start-ups to top 100 CPG companies, we have partnered with manufacturers from all around the world. We have extensive understanding and insights within all levels of Costco while developing both branded and private label items. While collaborating with the buyers we work to develop items that achieve success for our partners while also maximizing their capabilities and efficiencies. Our objective is simple; develop the right items at the right time and at the right member value to meet Costco’s needs.
We know how important this business is and we provide our client partners solid strategic guidance. With Next Step Club Solutions, you will have a trusted, experienced, and respected partner that will always work hard to provide the solutions you need to succeed with Costco.
OUR CORE VALUES
We are considered a premier sales and solutions agency to Costco Wholesale by both our client partners and the Costco buyers.
We accomplish this by:
1. Being selective about we who partner with.
2. Always listening to the buyers and providing them with the solutions and innovation they are seeking from our partners.
3. Continually providing a value to both our clients and to Costco. We provide best in class sales, service, and support with our highly engaged team.
With all three of these components, both our clients and Costco will be successful and, in the end, so will we.
What Makes Next Step Different:
Our Strategy:
- We are a boutique agency working with a select number of clients allowing more time to invest in them and their business to maximize the opportunities within Costco.
- Create a partnership that is proactive, entrepreneurial and provides a value to both buyers and clients.
Success Stories:
- We have had success negotiating for and managing multiple MVM (Multi Vendor Mailer) Coupon Events and National Buys. The volumes for these are substantial and it is imperative to understand the process.
- Since starting this new agency, we have launched several new brands in Costco across multiple departments in both food and non-foods.
- Working closely with our partners and the Costco buyers we have successfully secured a significant number of regional rotations.
"I have been working as the Director of Sales for going on 30-years and for 24 of those years I worked with the same east side club broker.
Late last year, I decided to make the switch to Next Step Club Solutions. I had switched brokers several times in my
retail and foodservice channels over the years and it was always time consuming to get the new team up
to speed. With Next Steps, the transfer was seamless, and they hit the ground running on day one.
Now, several months in, we have locked in commitments that will make 2020 our best year on record.
And part of this success is derived from sales in regions we had not sold to in our 25-year partnership
with Costco.
Switching to Next Step Club Solutions brokerage was the right move. Steve and his team are very attentive and hands
on regarding our sales efforts. I and our entire ownership group are very pleased with Steve and
his team’s efforts and results.
I highly recommend Next Step Club Solutions Brokerage."
Chris Lewark
"Steve and his team bring so much more than just selling our products. Their in-depth knowledge of this channel and long-term relationships with the buyers give us a decided advantage over many of our competitors. Their attention to detail and understanding of what works and what doesn’t work has saved us from many pitfalls.
We jumped at the chance to start working with Steve and his team as soon as we heard they were coming back into this business. Not only for their expertise and knowledge but because they are good people. Period. We trust them to represent our company with honesty and integrity and they have never let us down.
We are less than 1 year into our new relationship and already our partnership is succeeding more than we could have imagined. Our dollar sales have never been higher, our products are being sold to regions we have never sold into before and Next Step Club Solutions is already strategizing on our business for 2021.
Working with brokers can be a challenge but when you have as gifted a group as Next Step Club Solutions it so much easier."
Tom Knibbs & Rebecca Uphoff
"During my 16 years with Trailblazer Foods, as Director of Purchasing and Project Management and then as Director of Club and Co-Pack Sales, I worked extensively with Steve and his team on projects and items for Costco.
With Steve’s help and guidance we created successful, on-going Kirkland Signature private label products for Costco regions worldwide and sold branded label products to Costco regions and bakery.
Steve’s background, knowledge and contacts within Costco are a huge benefit in understanding how best to navigate Costco and maximize the value of your items and customer service. Steve and his team are a trusted and reliable colleague and partner, I highly recommend them."
Bill Wheeler
"I was first introduced to Steve and his team when I joined Lactalis Retail Dairy as the Director of Sales for Costco and they were representing our line.
I quickly learned that Steve uses his extensive knowledge and connections at Costco to truly partner with a Vendor.
His goal is to develop the business so it is mutually beneficial to both the Vendor and Costco for long term growth.
He takes the time to truly understand a Vendor's goals and then determines how to match those up with Costco's objectives."
