Latest news with #KirklandSignature
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Harvest Group Expands Costco Capabilities with Next Step Club Solutions Acquisition
ROGERS, Ark., June 03, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Harvest Group, a leading commerce agency, today announced the acquisition of Next Step Club Solutions, a boutique Costco brokerage firm specializing in club retail expertise. The strategic acquisition expands Harvest Group's capabilities, strengthens its national footprint and expands its relationships with Costco buyers. Founded in 2019 by Steve Freeman, Next Step is a Costco-focused sales and solutions agency that has carved out a niche as a high-touch, results-driven "concierge broker," expertly guiding brands through initial product concepts to national Costco rollouts. Freeman brings 30 years of Costco-specific experience, including key roles at Resource Marketing and Advantage Solutions, making him one of the industry's most seasoned Costco experts. He will join the Harvest Group Costco team as a VP alongside Valerie Corniel. "Steve and his team at Next Step have built something special," said Valerie Corniel, VP of Costco at Harvest Group. "They hold strong, long-standing relationships with Costco buyers nationwide and understand the nuance of operating within a club retail environment. This acquisition gives us stronger coverage across all Costco regions and brings expertise in taking brands from initial launches to national programs." The team at Next Step has led major brand wins, including supporting the development of Kirkland Signature items. It has transformed regional tests into multi-million dollar programs and secured ongoing "first call" status with buyers across multiple Costco departments. The agency offers a full suite of services, including strategic sales support, product development, program management and influencer marketing. Through the acquisition, Harvest Group clients will benefit from: Expanded Coverage: Increased regional presence, improving access to Costco and leverage when advocating for client items. Enhanced Costco Expertise: A leadership team with deep experience across multiple Costco departments and categories. Scalable Growth Positioning: Deep experience helping clients grow from regional rotation to national distribution. Integrated Strategy: Opportunities to further integrate Costco into their total commerce strategy, ensuring consistent messaging, execution and performance across their business. "Harvest Group's reputation for delivering outstanding results for its clients and customers made it an easy decision to join forces with them," added Freeman. "Their values, culture and commitment to Costco closely align with our core principles. With Next Step's experience and Harvest's tremendous capabilities, we will now be able to expand our service to our existing client partners while positioning ourselves for growth with new products, new clients and innovation." For more information, visit About Harvest Group Founded in 2006, Harvest Group is a commerce agency serving CPG brands in today's retail landscape. The company offers integrated solutions that align strategy across in-store and digital commerce, retail media, and social platforms. With over 350 retail experts, Harvest Group works with brands at major retailers including Walmart, Sam's Club, Target, Amazon, Costco, and Kroger. For more information visit About Next Step Club Solutions Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Next Step Club Solutions is a boutique sales and solutions agency specializing in helping manufacturers and suppliers succeed within Costco Wholesale. Next Step offers a comprehensive suite of services including strategic sales support, product development for both branded and private label items, program management for promotional avenues, administrative assistance, and influencer marketing. View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Ella Jane Dantzler ejdantzler@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Wire
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Harvest Group Expands Costco Capabilities with Next Step Club Solutions Acquisition
ROGERS, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Harvest Group, a leading commerce agency, today announced the acquisition of Next Step Club Solutions, a boutique Costco brokerage firm specializing in club retail expertise. The strategic acquisition expands Harvest Group's capabilities, strengthens its national footprint and expands its relationships with Costco buyers. "This acquisition gives us stronger coverage across all Costco regions and brings expertise in taking brands from initial launches to national programs," said Valerie Corniel, VP of Costco at Harvest Group. Founded in 2019 by Steve Freeman, Next Step is a Costco-focused sales and solutions agency that has carved out a niche as a high-touch, results-driven 'concierge broker,' expertly guiding brands through initial product concepts to national Costco rollouts. Freeman brings 30 years of Costco-specific experience, including key roles at Resource Marketing and Advantage Solutions, making him one of the industry's most seasoned Costco experts. He will join the Harvest Group Costco team as a VP alongside Valerie Corniel. "Steve and his team at Next Step have built something special," said Valerie Corniel, VP of Costco at Harvest Group. "They hold strong, long-standing relationships with Costco buyers nationwide and understand the nuance of operating within a club retail environment. This acquisition gives us stronger coverage across all Costco regions and brings expertise in taking brands from initial launches to national programs." The team at Next Step has led major brand wins, including supporting the development of Kirkland Signature items. It has transformed regional tests into multi-million dollar programs and secured ongoing 'first call' status with buyers across multiple Costco departments. The agency offers a full suite of services, including strategic sales support, product development, program management and influencer marketing. Through the acquisition, Harvest Group clients will benefit from: Expanded Coverage: Increased regional presence, improving access to Costco and leverage when advocating for client items. Enhanced Costco Expertise: A leadership team with deep experience across multiple Costco departments and categories. Scalable Growth Positioning: Deep experience helping clients grow from regional rotation to national distribution. Integrated Strategy: Opportunities to further integrate Costco into their total commerce strategy, ensuring consistent messaging, execution and performance across their business. "Harvest Group's reputation for delivering outstanding results for its clients and customers made it an easy decision to join forces with them," added Freeman. "Their values, culture and commitment to Costco closely align with our core principles. With Next Step's experience and Harvest's tremendous capabilities, we will now be able to expand our service to our existing client partners while positioning ourselves for growth with new products, new clients and innovation." For more information, visit About Harvest Group Founded in 2006, Harvest Group is a commerce agency serving CPG brands in today's retail landscape. The company offers integrated solutions that align strategy across in-store and digital commerce, retail media, and social platforms. With over 350 retail experts, Harvest Group works with brands at major retailers including Walmart, Sam's Club, Target, Amazon, Costco, and Kroger. For more information visit About Next Step Club Solutions Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Next Step Club Solutions is a boutique sales and solutions agency specializing in helping manufacturers and suppliers succeed within Costco Wholesale. Next Step offers a comprehensive suite of services including strategic sales support, product development for both branded and private label items, program management for promotional avenues, administrative assistance, and influencer marketing.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Harvest Group Expands Costco Capabilities with Next Step Club Solutions Acquisition
ROGERS, Ark., June 03, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Harvest Group, a leading commerce agency, today announced the acquisition of Next Step Club Solutions, a boutique Costco brokerage firm specializing in club retail expertise. The strategic acquisition expands Harvest Group's capabilities, strengthens its national footprint and expands its relationships with Costco buyers. Founded in 2019 by Steve Freeman, Next Step is a Costco-focused sales and solutions agency that has carved out a niche as a high-touch, results-driven "concierge broker," expertly guiding brands through initial product concepts to national Costco rollouts. Freeman brings 30 years of Costco-specific experience, including key roles at Resource Marketing and Advantage Solutions, making him one of the industry's most seasoned Costco experts. He will join the Harvest Group Costco team as a VP alongside Valerie Corniel. "Steve and his team at Next Step have built something special," said Valerie Corniel, VP of Costco at Harvest Group. "They hold strong, long-standing relationships with Costco buyers nationwide and understand the nuance of operating within a club retail environment. This acquisition gives us stronger coverage across all Costco regions and brings expertise in taking brands from initial launches to national programs." The team at Next Step has led major brand wins, including supporting the development of Kirkland Signature items. It has transformed regional tests into multi-million dollar programs and secured ongoing "first call" status with buyers across multiple Costco departments. The agency offers a full suite of services, including strategic sales support, product development, program management and influencer marketing. Through the acquisition, Harvest Group clients will benefit from: Expanded Coverage: Increased regional presence, improving access to Costco and leverage when advocating for client items. Enhanced Costco Expertise: A leadership team with deep experience across multiple Costco departments and categories. Scalable Growth Positioning: Deep experience helping clients grow from regional rotation to national distribution. Integrated Strategy: Opportunities to further integrate Costco into their total commerce strategy, ensuring consistent messaging, execution and performance across their business. "Harvest Group's reputation for delivering outstanding results for its clients and customers made it an easy decision to join forces with them," added Freeman. "Their values, culture and commitment to Costco closely align with our core principles. With Next Step's experience and Harvest's tremendous capabilities, we will now be able to expand our service to our existing client partners while positioning ourselves for growth with new products, new clients and innovation." For more information, visit About Harvest Group Founded in 2006, Harvest Group is a commerce agency serving CPG brands in today's retail landscape. The company offers integrated solutions that align strategy across in-store and digital commerce, retail media, and social platforms. With over 350 retail experts, Harvest Group works with brands at major retailers including Walmart, Sam's Club, Target, Amazon, Costco, and Kroger. For more information visit About Next Step Club Solutions Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Next Step Club Solutions is a boutique sales and solutions agency specializing in helping manufacturers and suppliers succeed within Costco Wholesale. Next Step offers a comprehensive suite of services including strategic sales support, product development for both branded and private label items, program management for promotional avenues, administrative assistance, and influencer marketing. View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Ella Jane Dantzler ejdantzler@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
I'm a dietitian who helps busy parents lose weight without restrictive diets. Here are 15 Costco buys I swear by.
I'm a mom and registered dietitian who helps busy parents lose weight and maintain weight loss. I try to stock up on nutrient-dense foods from Costco, including easy dinners and satisfying snacks. Kirkland Signature quinoa and mixed nuts are pantry staples for me, and I like the Rao's marinara. I'm a registered dietitian who specializes in helping busy parents lose weight without restrictive diets. As a mom of three myself, I know weight management can be especially difficult when you've got a family to feed. Preparing healthy family meals feels like a Herculean task on busy weeknights between work responsibilities and after-school activities. Having nutritious, balanced foods on hand is half the battle — fortunately, I've found great bulk buys at Costco that come in handy when life gets overwhelming. Here are a few things I get at the wholesale retailer to help me (and my clients) consistently eat well while supporting sustainable weight management. I always try to keep riced cauliflower on hand. I love using cauliflower rice instead of brown rice to add more nutrition, fiber, and bulk to my meals without carbohydrate overload. This frozen bag from Tattooed Chef is great because I can easily heat and eat a single serving or a larger portion. Premade meals from Kevin's Natural Foods come in handy on busy evenings. Meals from Kevin's Natural Foods are perfect for those "nothing's defrosted but I don't want to derail my weight-loss efforts" kind of nights. From Korean BBQ-style beef to roasted-garlic chicken, these heat-and-eat entrées are ready in minutes and packed with protein to make them extra satisfying. Pair them with precooked rice or riced cauliflower for a more filling dinner. The Kirkland Signature chunky guacamole cups are convenient. Portion-controlled, portable, and super satisfying, Kirkland Signature chunky guacamole cups are a staple for me. Each cup contains 4 grams of fiber plus heart-healthy fats that can be great for stabilizing blood sugar and keeping you feeling full for longer. I like to dip veggies or tortilla chips in these for a midday snack. I keep mixed berries in the freezer. I toss frozen berries into oatmeal or yogurt for an easy dose of fiber, antioxidants, and natural sweetness. This four-berry blend is also great for nutrient-dense smoothies — I blend them with baby spinach, frozen banana, and a splash of water. It's easy to make dishes more nutritious with baby spinach. Baby spinach is a no-brainer for sneaking more greens into your meals. It's easy to add to smoothies, eggs, and sandwiches — or to use as the base for a quick side salad. Pre-cooked chicken bites come in handy for lunches. With 24 grams of protein per pouch, these fully cooked Fresh Station chicken-breast bites are a lunch lifesaver. They can be the star of a balanced salad or wrap that can help keep your blood sugar stable midday. Kirkland Signature egg bites can be an easy breakfast. Some people skip breakfast because they're busy or want to "save calories," but that typically backfires when it comes to weight management. Skipping breakfast can throw off your blood sugar for the whole day, so I suggest having even just a quick meal in the morning. These Kirkland Signature sous-vide egg-white bites are one of my favorite easy breakfasts because they cook in minutes and have 11 grams of protein per serving. I also try to keep protein bars on hand. Stash protein bars in your purse, glove box, diaper bag, or desk to ensure you aren't skipping snacks on even the busiest of days — doing so can lead to sugar cravings or overeating at mealtime. Sometimes, I grab G2G bars at Costco. They're filling and each has 18 grams of protein. RXBars are also a solid pick. One of my other favorite protein-packed Costco buys is RXBars. They have 12 grams of protein per serving, and I like their simple ingredients. Kirkland Signature mixed nuts are great to keep on hand. Mixed nuts are a great grab-and-go snack with healthy fats, protein, and fiber. Pair a handful of nuts with some high-fiber, antioxidant-rich fruit, such as berries or an apple, to create the perfect blood-sugar balancing snack that'll help keep you full between meals. Quinoa is a great whole grain to serve with dinner. Quinoa is one of my favorite fiber-rich whole grains that's ideal for busy weeknights. It takes only about 20 minutes to prepare in a rice cooker, and it pairs well with most proteins, including salmon and chicken. I always grab a salad kit or two from Costco. Costco typically has a great variety of salad kits, which keep my meals interesting. The kits are great for busy weeknights since they typically include pre-washed lettuce, toppings, and a premade dressing. Plus, using them to fill half of your dinner plate with veggies is a surefire way to maximize your nutrition intake. Chicken sausages are good to keep on hand. Aidells chicken sausages can be a great protein for quick meals since they're fully cooked. I like to slice the sausages and pop them in the oven or on the stovetop with veggies. These are also a great, simpler alternative to hot dogs at a barbecue. The Rao's Homemade marinara is a staple for me. I've found it's difficult to find delicious premade pasta sauce that doesn't have added sugar or sweeteners. Fortunately, the Rao's Homemade marinara fits the bill. The sauce pairs well with chickpea or lentil pasta, which can be good sources of fiber and protein. Skinny Pop is an easy, light snack. Skinny Pop popcorn is good for satisfying salty, crunchy snack cravings. Each 100-calorie bag is made with just popcorn, oil, and salt. I love the simple ingredients and how easy these are to throw in a lunch bag. Click to keep reading Costco diaries like this one. Read the original article on Business Insider
Global News
3 days ago
- Business
- Global News
Costco wants to source more Kirkland products locally to avoid tariffs
As U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs continue to impact companies globally, Costco says it's trying to limit the hit by moving sourcing for in-house brands like Kirkland within the countries with tariffs. During a third quarter earnings call last week, the company said it had seen US$62 billion in net sales, an eight-per cent increase from the same quarter last year. Company executives said during the call they've been actively looking for ways to avoid impacts from tariffs, with chief executive Ron Vachris saying this included looking at its Kirkland brand and products sold at Canadian Costco locations. 'We rerouted many goods sourced from countries with large tariff exposure to our non-U.S. markets,' he said. 'We continue to move more Kirkland Signature product sourcing into the countries or regions where items are sold and this is helping us to lower costs and mitigate some of the potential impacts of tariffs.' Story continues below advertisement In addition, Vachris said the company also brought in items it had planned for summer earlier, while sourcing additional locally-produced goods to stay in stock and reducing that tariff impact. Trump's various tariffs have taken effect in the past few months, right in the middle of the third quarter. 1:02 Trump says he will double steel tariffs to 50 per cent Steel and aluminum tariffs, which can impact those that use aluminum and steel in their packaging of foods and other items, were imposed by Trump on Canada in March. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Trump then threatened this weekend that he planned to put an added 25 per cent, raising the duties to 50 per cent, a move those industries warned would 'create mass disruption and negative consequences.' The duties placed on its northern neighbour related to fentanyl and border security were also imposed in March. Story continues below advertisement Canada, while excluded from Trump's global 'reciprocal' tariffs, also faces duties on the country's automobile sector. The tariffs Trump imposed on Canada over fentanyl and border security, as well as his global 'reciprocal' tariffs, were briefly blocked last week by a U.S. federal court, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit then stayed the order, allowing those duties to remain in place. Other Canadian brands sourcing local Some Canadian companies are also taking steps to source products from places other than the U.S. That comes amid both retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods and a strong 'Buy Canadian' consumer sentiment. 2:00 U.S. appeals court spares Trump's tariffs — for now Sobeys says it's accelerating the efforts by working with national brands, while also expanding its private-label Compliments brand 'to further strengthen the presence of local products.' Story continues below advertisement It added that the items are identified in store and online through its 'Shop Canada' labelling. Metro said in a statement it is also working with suppliers to 'offer the best possible value' for consumers and prioritize local Ontario and Canadian products where possible. Loblaw said it also is trying to 'source more local goods' where possible to support customers and Canadian business partners. They added while there are still cases they have to purchase from the U.S., they're continuing to look for alternatives from other countries. Global News reached out to Walmart Canada to inquire how the companies are working to avoid tariff impacts and if those efforts include sourcing more Canadian items, but did not hear back by publication.
