---
title: 2026 Costco Virtual Event
description: Costco’s historical success is showing signs of weakness as we emerge from the pandemic boom. At this year’s Costco event, our subject-matter experts will analyze the strengths and weaknesses of Costco’s single-minded strategy in a turbulent retail world and help you plan for what’s to come.
image: https://retailiq.kantar.com/hubfs/2024%20Costco%20Icon%20image_500x500-2.png
---
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2026 Costco
Virtual Event
14 & 15 Oct 2026
Virtual
[Register](https://retailiq.kantar.com/2026-costco-virtual-event#REGISTER)
[2026 Agenda](https://retailiq.kantar.com/hubfs/2026%20Event%20Agendas/2026%20Costco%20Virtual%20Event%20Agenda%20V3.pdf?hsLang=en)
Costco’s success raises a difficult question: Are most retailers and brands creating complexity instead of competitive advantage?
Kantar’s 2026 Costco Virtual Event explores why Costco’s commitment to simplicity and consistency continues to drive outsized results and what this commitment reveals about the growing complexity across the retail industry.
You'll leave this event with:
- A deeper understanding of the power of Costco’s philosophy in today’s retail environment, examining how the company differentiates itself from competitors and the risks it faces as the retail environment evolves
- A blueprint to maximize your presence at Costco by understanding member needs and value drivers, enabling you to better position your brand, whether you are entering a new category or growing share as an established player
- A better grasp of Costco’s future growth opportunities, including where to invest within the business and what Costco expects from its suppliers to drive success in the next era of retail
## Conference Agenda
#### Reach out to [events@kantarconsulting.com](mailto:events@kantarconsulting.com) for questions.
DAY 1: Oct. 14 | Understanding Costco's Advantage DAY 2: Oct. 15 | Solving for tomorrow
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?
12:15-12:30 PM PT | 3:15-3:30 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**
How to attend
## Available tickets
SEATBLOCK HOLDER?
[Talk to our event team ›](mailto:events@kantarconsulting.com)
Meet the experts
## Event Speakers
*Check back for our speaker updates.*
We’re here to amplify your potential. Bringing exceptional experience across industries and organizations. Delivering a deep understanding of retailers and shoppers. We’ll help you meet and exceed your goals.
Anna Brennan
Principal Analyst, Retail Insights
Karen Kelso
Vice President, Retail Insights
Rachel Dalton
Head of Retail Insights, Americas
Taylre Stumpf
Lead Analyst, Retail Insights
Erica Smith
Manager, Shopper Insights
Gina Logan
Associate Director, Category Insights
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## Kantar's new immersive experience
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Attendees will receive a link to virtually access the event prior to the event.
If you do not receive this link, please email [events@kantarconsulting.com](mailto:events@kantarconsulting.com)
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