9:00-9:10 AM PT/Noon-12:10 ET
Welcome and introduction

9:10-10:15 AM PT/12:10-1:15 PM ET
Costco and the power of simplicity
Anna Brennan, Principal Analyst, Retail Insights
Karen Kelso, Vice President, Retail Insights

• Why is limited assortment still one of Costco's greatest competitive advantages?
• How does Costco decide what not to do?
• What does this philosophy mean for suppliers seeking long-term success at Costco?

10:15-10:45 AM PT | 1:15-1:45 PM ET
Defining value at Costco
Anna Brennan, Principal Analyst, Retail Insights

• What does value mean to Costco members and where do they trade up and trade down?
• How does Costco’s value proposition differ from Walmart’s EDLP model and Target’s affordable premium positioning?
• How does Costco create value across fresh, food, nonfood, services, and membership?

10:45-11:00 AM PT | 1:45-2:00 PM ET
BREAK 

11:00-11:30 AM PT | 2:00-2:30 PM ET
The Costco report card
Anna Brennan, Principal Analyst, Retail Insights

• Is Costco keeping its promises to its members?
• How is Costco evolving to meet the needs of a changing member base amid ongoing economic pressures?
• Which elements of Costco’s formula are truly unique, and which are competitors replicating?

11:30 AM-12:15 PM PT | 2:30-3:15 PM ET
Retail Roundtable: Who is Costco’s true competitor?
Anna Brennan, Principal Analyst, Retail Insights
Karen Kelso, Vice President, Retail Insights
Taylre Stumpf, Lead Analyst, Retail Insights
Rachel Dalton, Head of Retail Insights, Americas

• Is Costco truly competing with Sam’s Club and BJ’s, or with Amazon, Walmart, and other ecosystems?
• How will digital expectations reshape member loyalty?
• Is Costco’s biggest challenge external competition or maintaining relevance with the next generation of members?

12:15-12:20 PM PT | 3:15-3:20 PM ET
Day 1 recap

9:00-9:10 AM PT | Noon-12:10 ET
Welcome and introduction

9:10-9:40 AM PT | 12:10-12:40 PM ET
Battling for the next generation of Costco members
Erica Smith, Manager, Shopper Insights

• Which demographics are fueling growth?
• What barriers exist among younger and more digital shoppers?
• What role do memberships, private brands, convenience, and digital capabilities play in winning future shoppers?

9:40-10:10 AM CT | 12:40-1:10 PM ET
Building an irreplaceable brand at Costco
Anna Brennan, Principal Analyst, Retail Insights
Gina Logan, Associate Director, Category Insights

• Which grocery categories represent Costco’s next wave of growth, and what does that mean for suppliers?
• How can brands remain indispensable as Costco evolves and grocery becomes an even larger driver of growth and member loyalty?
• Why does Kirkland Signature win in some categories but not in others, and where is it gaining the most ground as Costco expands its grocery footprint?

10:10-10:45 AM PT | 1:10-1:45 PM ET
Rethinking the Costco treasure hunt
Anna Brennan, Principal Analyst, Retail Insights

• What happens when Costco’s treasure hunt moves to TikTok?
• How can brands better leverage Costco’s highly engaged member community to drive awareness, advocacy, and trial?
• How will digital engagement shape the next phase of Costco’s membership growth?

10:45-11:00 AM PT | 1:45-2:00 PM ET
BREAK

11:00-11:30 AM PT | 2:00-2:30 PM ET
Doing more with less at Costco
Anna Brennan, Principal Analyst, Retail Insights

• Do you really need more technology and tools to grow at Costco?
• How can you stand out during crowded holidays and promotional seasons with limited marketing and advertising?
• If you get only one SKU at Costco, how do you make it your best one?

11:30 AM-12:00 PM PT | 2:30-3:00 PM ET
Costco’s next growth engines
Anna Brennan, Principal Analyst, Retail Insights

• Which levers — membership, services, fresh, premium, international expansion, digital — offer the greatest growth opportunity over the next five years?
• Which supplier capabilities will matter most as Costco enters its next phase of growth?
• What investments should suppliers make today to align with Costco's long-term priorities?

12:00-12:15 PM PT | 3:00-3:15 PM ET
Day 2 recap