Costco Supplier FAQs 2024

THESIS 2024

How can I access THESIS 2024?

Please go to this link and create a new account if you are new to THESIS, and put in your existing credentials if you are returning to THESIS. If you are unsure if your company has completed THESIS previously, or if you are a subsidiary to a parent company that may have completed THESIS, please email help@sustainabilityconsortium.org and we will assist you promptly.

What is the difference between Sphera and The Sustainability Consortium?

The Sustainability Consortium (TSC) is a global university-based organization that developed THESIS alongside industry, NGO and academic stakeholders. In 2019, TSC partnered with SupplyShift, a Sphera company, to deploy THESIS on their cloud-based platform.

How can I see the recording of the Costco THESIS 2024 Supplier Kick Off?

Please click on this link and enter the passcode: THESIS24 to view the recording.

Do I need to be a TSC member to use THESIS?

No – to use THESIS 2024 all you need to do is purchase a license.
If you are interested in receiving additional support, you can sign up for THESIS Affiliate.

Is Costco mandating the use of THESIS or is it a request?

While suppliers are not required to participate, please note that the request came from Costco's Executive VP of Merchandising, as well as the SVP of Sustainable Global Compliance. Buying teams will be updated on which suppliers have submitted their assessments. We highly encourage you to purchase a license and submit THESIS 2024 to Costco.

What will Costco do if I score low on THESIS 2024?

Costco understands that sustainability is a journey, and every supplier is at a different stage. Costco cares about engagement and using THESIS to drive positive sustainability change. If you can’t answer a question, it is ok to select “unable to determine” and it is ok (and expected for some questions) to score low.

How much does THESIS 2024 cost?

THESIS 2024 costs $799 per annual license, which is good from now until August 2025. You may share as many assessments as you would like to as many retailers using THESIS 2024 under the same license.

What is the deadline for THESIS 2024?

All Costco suppliers must submit their THESIS assessments (including THESIS start and THESIS wrap up) to Costco by November 8, 2024.

What other retailers are using THESIS 2024?

Ahold Delhaize USA, Dollar Tree and Family Dollar, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Staples, Tractor Supply Company, Walgreens, Walgreens Boots Alliance, and Woolworths.

We have already purchased a THESIS license and have already selected assessments to share with different retailers. How do we add Costco and add assessments?

To add retailers to your THESIS account, please follow these instructions
To add assessments to your THESIS account, please follow these instructions

Can multiple users be online at the same time from the same company's registration?

Yes, you can have multiple users in THESIS at the same time under the same account. Please see this link to learn how to add users into THESIS.

How should we handle if our parent company can answer many of these questions whereas we do not have many emissions, etc. info at the division level that works directly with Costco?

Please note that THESIS is global in scope and intended to capture data for the products you sell to Costco at the company level, not just for a specific division or site. Therefore, you should engage your parent company to gather this data. We do understand that not every subsidiary can connect with a parent company. If this is the case, please email us at help@sustainabilityconsortium.org and we will offer you 1:1 advice to ensure you can submit to Costco based on what you have.
For more information on the scope of THESIS, please see this article.

How do we download THESIS questions?

All THESIS product category level assessments are available on the platform for download in PDF or Excel form.

What is an average score currently? We can aim for 100% but what is a score that suppliers would be happy with?

THESIS average scores vary per assessment and per KPI as suppliers answer in real-time. You will be able to see the THESIS average once you submit your assessment but be sure to go back into THESIS to view your scorecard after the submission period ends, as the average may have changed as suppliers answer THESIS up to the deadline!

What does the comprehensive CDP survey we were recently asked to complete by Costco come into play with the new THESIS request?

THESIS is separate from CDP and Costco is encouraging you to please submit THESIS 2024 even if you have completed CDP. However, some THESIS questions on GHG and climate do align directly with CDP, and you can use your answers from CDP to answer these questions. The guidance in the questions will tell you where you can use CDP answers.

Is there an indication in the scorecard how far a supplier is from Costco expectation on the different KPIs? e.g emissions reductions?

Costco has not communicated an expectation on emissions reductions and the THESIS scorecard does not have that capability. Rather, we encourage you to please answer accurately based on where you are now and focus on your KPI score independent on thinking about a retailer expectation. You are able to see how you rank according to other suppliers who have also answered that question within THESIS 2024.

The retailers you have on this list are US companies. What about Canadian companies also using Supply Shift?

Unfortunately, THESIS is currently only used by the retailers listed. However, we would love to have additional retailers come on board! You have the option to write-in the name of a retailer you would like to use THESIS in future. TSC will use that write-in to connect with that retailer.

I am a Canadian supplier who has used Supply Shift to submit data to another Canadian retailer. Can the same survey be uploaded for Costco since much of the data required is the same?

No, you cannot upload the survey into THESIS as THESIS questions will be different and have different scope questions. However, you can absolutely lean on the data collection work you’ve already completed to answer THESIS KPIs!

CDP asks that you report from the highest level (ie at the global conglomerate level rather than from a subsidiary US supplier of Costco), is THESIS the same?

Yes, THESIS follows the same rule as we want you to be able to answer from a global scope representing the entirety of your supply chain as a company. It is possible that your global conglomerate level company may already be participating in THESIS. Please email us at help@sustainabilityconsortium.org and we will check to see if they are active in THESIS and connect you to the right person at the global HQ level.
For more information on the scope of THESIS, please see this article.

I need help! Where do I turn to?

Never fear! We are here to support you. Please email help@sustainabilityconsortium.org with any questions – none are too big or too small – and we will assist.
Please see our Supplier Support Center for guides, links and access to videos to help walk you through the process of answering THESIS and learning what to do with your results!
We are offering frequent THESIS Lives QA hours for you to come in and get your questions answered by live experts. You may register for them here.