Jul
15
Costco and PureFit Nutrition Bars
Posted by Robb
Back in the beginning of June, I proudly announced here on the Blog that PureFit Nutrition Bars could now be found in select Costco stores in Texas. Shortly thereafter, we were invited to visit Costco stores in other states, where we ’sampled’ and sold limited supplies of our bars with great success.
Recently, as you’ll see below, I decided not to continue working with Costco as a PureFit Retailer. While the decision was a difficult one to make, my hope is that after reading the following, you — our customers — will understand our position and continue to support us as we work hard to build a sustainable business:
Note: The following was posted by me, Robb Dorf, yesterday morning in the comment section of my June 1, 2009 blog entry, PureFit Debuts with Costco in Texas:
I expected to get some feedback from customers upset about not being able to get the bars at Costco. I’ll do my best to explain. The PureFit bars available for sale in Texas were part of a great opportunity Costco gave us. It is called a “90 day rotation.” It was an extraordinary opportunity to work with Costco. We learned a lot. We’d do it again, but not if Costco wants to sell the bars for .99 cents.
Simply put, they want to sell nutrition bars for under $1.00. PureFit is a premium product, with a suggested retail of $1.99. You can shop around and find them for $1.50, but that is really as low as we like to see the product sold. We can’t support our existing bar, within the existing Costco system, if they require we sell them at .99 cents. Costco wants to sell our bars because they know they are better than the other brands. They can easily see the why our bars are better, and quite frankly, we pointed out all of the reasons are bars are more expensive than the bars they currently sell.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a Costco customer. I enjoy shopping there as the prices are fantastic. The problem is Costco believes all nutrition bars should sell for .99 cents. That is ridiculous. I just bought a TV from them. Every 46” was a different price. Sony’s were more than Visio’s. The new Samsungs were more than last year’s Sony’s. Consumers are smart enough to do the research and make an educated decision. If I want to spend 50% more for a Samsung, which offers more features, that is my choice. That is exactly what I did. Why Costco believes consumers will only pay .99 cents for a nutrition bar is simply ridiculous.
I’m sorry you won’t be able to find PureFit at Costco anytime soon. We are sold in over 2500 stores across the US and Canada and most of the leading online stores that carry us offer exceptional pricing. Amazon even offers free shipping. GotBody.com has them at $22.50/box and of course, you can always order directly from us.
I really want to try them.
July 17th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Would really have loved to get your bars at Costco, even at retail prices.
July 20th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Even though costco’s claims to have cheap prices, i find them to be more expensive half the time anyways! They don’t deserve the great protein bar that purefit makes!
July 21st, 2009 at 4:37 pm
Sorry to hear your products won’t be sold at Costco, but I’ll be able to find them anyway.
July 23rd, 2009 at 3:26 pm
No wonder, bought two boxes at Costco and went trough them too fast, then went looking for more and nothing…
July 28th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Disappointing to hear I won’t find your bars at Costco. I buy them at a local Health Food Store for $30 for 15. Just went on Amazon and will have them shipped every 2 months for $22. Wish them offered the berry almond crunch. LOVE THESE BARS.
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Disppointed. Good luck.
August 6th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
It is too bad that Costco wasn’t willing to let the customer decide whether or not we would be willing to pay more than a buck for the product. These bars are fantastic. Truly a great product and we will continue to buy them.
August 29th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
I am very desapointed that Costco is not going to sell the bars. I bought a case and I am almost out of the bars. I hope you change your mind about it.
September 3rd, 2009 at 9:10 am
I was excited to find a nutrition bar that doesn’t contain wheat and dairy and that tastes good and bought two boxes right away after the sampling. I went back and bought two more boxes in fear that I would no longer be able to purchase them……….unfortuately my doubts became true and I could no longer find them at Costco which is very disappointing. Even at a higher price I would be willing to pay for them when I did my shopping at Costco.
September 14th, 2009 at 10:52 am
We want you back in costco
September 18th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
It is amazing to me that the big box stores are short sighted on what the consumer will pay for a quality product - in any category. I would suggest that all individuals who love your product email costco and let them know that the .25 - .50 additional cost is minor to being able to get a quality product,such as PureFit bars, while shopping for other items in their store!
As a mother of an entire family of gluten, dairy, egg intolerant individuals, I anxiously await for the “Costco’s of the world” to come on board and provide food in the largest growing segment of that market!