Getting your product onto Costco’s shelves is every food founder’s dream—but it’s also one of the toughest retail channels to crack. In this video, I break down exactly how the Costco process works and what I learned going through it first-hand.
You’ll learn:
✅ Why working with a Costco broker matters (and how to find one)
✅ What certifications and audits Costco requires from manufacturers
✅ How to reformat your product for club-size value packs
✅ What buyers look for in your “Why-Buy Sheet”
✅ Shelf-life and pricing rules most founders don’t know
Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:56 Costco Broker
02:19 Factory Compliant
03:57 Reformulate & Resize
05:12 Why Buy Sheet
05:54 First Trial
06:57 Conclusion
If you’ve ever wondered how small brands make it into warehouse clubs, this video walks you through each step so you can prepare before pitching.
Resources & Links
🌶️ My brand: www.hotpotqueen.com
💼 Connect with me on LinkedIn: / weijia-liao
👥 Startup CPG Community: https://startupcpg.com/
🎥 More videos like this: “7 Mistakes Founders Make at Trade Shows,” “Five Roles Every Founder Deals With”
About this channel
Hi, I’m Jia. I took my Sichuan food brand from zero to 1000 retail shelves across the U.S. In each video, I share honest, no-fluff lessons on how to survive—and thrive—in the food business.
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