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.

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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 https://harvestgroup.com/.

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 www.harvestgroup.com.

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.