Costco Next Marketplace Shut Down Without Notice
Costco Wholesale Corporation's curated third-party marketplace, Costco Next, has ceased operations without public explanation. Customers are being redirected to a support page citing loss of access.
Costco Next, a curated online marketplace operated by Costco Wholesale Corporation, appears to have abruptly shut down this week. Visitors to CostcoNext.com are now redirected to a customer support page on Costco's main website, which states that "Access to Costco Next store fronts is no longer available."
The marketplace, established in 2017, offered a selection of products from third-party vendors that met Costco's quality standards. The program aimed to provide Costco customers with discounted access to goods from trusted suppliers, while giving those suppliers exposure to Costco's large customer base.
Unlike larger online marketplaces, Costco Next was a curated platform where brands fulfilled orders directly. The website described the vendors as "hand-selected by our buyers for their quality of merchandise and exceptional customer service." The redirection directs customers to contact vendors directly for inquiries regarding returns and warranties.
Costco has not issued a public statement regarding the closure beyond the information on the support page. The abrupt disappearance of the platform has led to customer confusion and discussions on social media platforms. The company's stock, COST, is up approximately 10% year-to-date but down around 14% from its May peak.