SPECIAL SECTION: KIRKLAND SIGNATURE
EXTRA
benefits
From ageing gracefully to upping your daily energy, advocates say some supplements can help us meet the future head-on. BY BEN SMITHURST
L ocal demand for supplements is booming. Swelled by long-term demographic trends and heavily promoted by wellness enthusiasts, the Australian supplements industry has shown strong year-on-year growth for more than a decade. In 2025, its overall value fell just short of $ 3 billion.
Costco buyer Kerri-Ann Canavero says the surging demand for supplements shows no sign of slowing. The trend is propelled by Australia’ s ageing population, which appreciates health benefits while remaining keenly aware of cost-of-living considerations. Plus, according to Kerri-Ann, Australians in general have a growing awareness of health.“ Australians are now taking a proactive approach to prevent health concerns rather than just treating diseases,” she says.
Warehouse wellness
It’ s no wonder Costco’ s exclusive brand, Kirkland Signature, features many choices for vitamins and supplements. In fact, Kerri-Ann shares that Kirkland Signature vitamins were one of the first Kirkland Signature-labelled products to hit the warehouse shelves.
Kerri-Ann explains how Kirkland Signature products allow Costco to meet the demand of those members interested in the health benefits of supplements while also seeking value.“ The private label business model reduces branding, marketing and overhead costs, and allows members to purchase high-volume counts of vitamins at a fraction of the cost of national brands,” she says.
Nutrition matters
In the maze of the supplements aisle, two products have emerged as frontrunners in the sector: coenzyme Q10, a naturally occurring, vitamin-like molecule and antioxidant, and natural omega-3 fish oil.
Coenzyme Q10 – also known as CoQ10 – is important for heart and muscle function, among other benefits, says Dr Mitra Zarrati, the founder of Health Dash( healthdash. com. au). As an Accredited Practising Dietitian, Mitra’ s work focuses on nutrition care and health research.
“ CoQ10 plays an essential role in energy production and acts as an antioxidant,” says Mitra. She explains that people who“ always who feel tired”, despite seemingly eating well and getting enough sleep, can sometimes suffer from a deficiency of CoQ10, levels of which can naturally reduce as we age.
Natural omega-3 fish oil is a type of beneficial fat and has a longer history in the supplement world, tracing its roots to the 19th century.
“ Omega-3 is one of the special nutrients in our body,” says Mitra.“ Our body sometimes can’ t produce it itself, so we must get it from foods or sometimes from supplements. It is found in oily fish – salmon, sardines and mackerel – as well as in fish oil or flaxseed oil supplements.”
Omega-3‘ s health benefits, Mitra says, are widely accepted.“ It is one of the most studied nutrients, and we have strong evidence that shows us it can lower triglycerides and support heart health,” she continues.” It is linked to brain function, prevention of dementia and prevention of depression, as well as eye health and inflammation management.”
While the general benefits of these supplements are backed by research, Mitra is clear that every person’ s health is unique.“ I always recommend to my patients that if you want to take any kind of supplement, it’ s important to first consult with your dietitian or your GP,” she says.
The Costco difference
At Costco Australia, Kirkland Signature Omega-3 Fish Oil 1000mg and Kirkland Signature CoQ10 150mg are two of the best-selling supplements. Produced by Factors Group, one of the world’ s leading nutritional companies, the Kirkland Signature range of supplements focuses on quality and value.
RIDO / STOCK. ADOBE. COM
26 | MAR / APR 2026 COSTCO CONNECTION