Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
What are the staffing requirements and sales expectations for Costco depot event days?
Costco event days in depots require significant commitment: you must staff the stand yourself for the full day (typically 9:30am–9:30pm), and Costco is strict about presentation standards throughout. You cannot rely on Costco to provide your staff. **Staffing options:** - **Own staff** — Members who ran 9 four-day events across Oct–Dec 2024 found this preferable to third-party suppliers, giving better control and engagement - **Avansa** — A specialist supplier for depot trade-day staffing across cash-and-carry venues; they know the customer base and are well-regarded. Contact via DM in the group - **WDS** (Costco's in-house recommendation) — Available through the link provided, but members found them "a bit 'table with a table'" and less effective than hired promotional staff **Expectations:** - Members described the event schedule as "gruelling" and "brutal" (full 9am–9:30pm days) - One member completed 155 events in late 2023/early 2024 and can advise on specifics - Sales expectations were not quantified in the discussion **Key caveat:** The group felt in-house Costco staff (if available) are not as good as your own or professional promotional teams. Plan for significant internal resource commitment or budget for external staffing.
What are the current challenges in recruiting administrative and office staff for drinks businesses?
Members are reporting significant difficulty finding suitable administrative and office personnel, even for well-paid roles. One member posted to Fish-4-Jobs and Reed simultaneously and received 10 applicants over three weeks, but none were suitable—notably, 6 of the applicants were from overseas. The member noted this was the most challenging recruitment experience they'd had in the industry, questioning whether COVID-related factors were contributing to the shortage of quality candidates for administrative positions.
Where can I find reliable freelance in-store tasters for product sampling?
Members recommend contacting educational institutions with hospitality or drinks programmes for access to freelance sampling staff. - **Plumpton College** — has students available for hire as in-store tasters on a freelance basis; contact Paul Harley for inquiries.