The science behind Costco's No. 1 product
The big-box retailer spends a lot of time studying the quality of its biggest-selling item.
By Kim Peterson Apr 25, 2012 12:59PM
Costco (COST) shoppers are very particular about their toilet paper. They post reviews online. They make funny YouTube videos about it. They debate endlessly whether Kirkland is better than Charmin.
Toilet paper is Costco's top-selling product, in fact. And the company takes it seriously. It even studies the quality of Kirkland toilet paper in its laboratory near Seattle, as the following video shows.
Post continues below.
Costco sells $400 million worth of toilet paper every year. Any loss in quality can mean hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenue. No wonder Costco scientists are so focused on it.
Technicians measure the whiteness of the paper. They squeeze the heck out of it -- breaking an old Charmin rule. And they pay special attention to softness and the way the paper bunches up in your hand.
I've never bought Kirkland. I always go for Charmin. What do you think, readers? Is Costco's toilet paper worth all the attention?
"The Costco Craze" premieres Thursday, April 26 at 9 p.m. ET, with a re-air at 12 a.m. ET.
More from MSN Money
Toilet paper is Costco's top-selling product, in fact. And the company takes it seriously. It even studies the quality of Kirkland toilet paper in its laboratory near Seattle, as the following video shows.
Post continues below.
Costco sells $400 million worth of toilet paper every year. Any loss in quality can mean hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenue. No wonder Costco scientists are so focused on it.
Technicians measure the whiteness of the paper. They squeeze the heck out of it -- breaking an old Charmin rule. And they pay special attention to softness and the way the paper bunches up in your hand.
I've never bought Kirkland. I always go for Charmin. What do you think, readers? Is Costco's toilet paper worth all the attention?
"The Costco Craze" premieres Thursday, April 26 at 9 p.m. ET, with a re-air at 12 a.m. ET.
More from MSN Money