Costco Wholesale relists Omega-3 Seal Oil Capsules at its St. John�s Location

(Ottawa) - Today Costco Wholesale and the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced that, in response to consumer demand, Costco would be very shortly relisting Omega-3 seal oil capsules at its St. John�s, Newfoundland and Labrador location.

Costco Wholesale management met with Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Tom Rideout and senior department officials in Ottawa today to discuss the sale of these capsules. Senior vice-president and country manager Louise Wendling informed him that the seal oil capsules containing Omega 3 would be back on shelves again soon at the St. John�s warehouse.

"Government is pleased that Costco had decided to return this important product to its shelves in St. John�s," said Minister Rideout. "We had a productive meeting with Costco which provided us with some very useful information on the company and how they make their business decisions. We look forward to working cooperatively with them in the future on the sale of this and other Newfoundland and Labrador products."

Ms. Wendling said, "This product is returning to our shelves because we concluded that our members in St. John�s would be better served by doing so. Unfortunately, our earlier decision to remove the product was misinterpreted. Costco does not and has never supported the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society or its methods of getting its issues addressed. Let me be clear on this point - the only lobby Costco pays attention to is the consumer lobby. When there is sufficient demand for a product, we listen. Clearly, we are showing that today."

In restocking the product in St. John�s, Costco management is anticipating a pickup in sales. Costco will continue to review the viability of this product just as it regularly does for the thousands of products sold in its locations across Canada.

Costco has a long history of supporting all kinds of local businesses in Newfoundland and Labrador. The company will buy nearly $3 million in goods and services in 2006 from Newfoundland and Labrador suppliers, on top of its nearly $240,000 in support for Janeway Hospital over the last ten years. Costco is also a loyal supporter of the United Way, the St. John�s Food Sharing Association, and many more organizations. As well, Costco employees take part in a grade school tutoring program.

Ms. Wendling expressed her hope that this misunderstanding would be cleared up quickly. "The only way to address issues is through dialogue and discussion", concluded Ms. Wendling.

Media contact:
Ron Damiani, Costco Wholesale, (613) 221-2004
Lori Lee Oates, ABC, Fisheries and Aquaculture, (709) 729-3733, 690-8403

2006 04 05                                                   2:45 p.m.