Costco Essay

(3) In an effort to replace foreign- sourced goods sold at Wal-Mart stores with American-made ones, Wal-Mart developed its “Buy American” program. By 1989, the company estimated it had converted or retained over $1.7 billion in retail purchases that would have been placed or produced offshore, and created or retained over 41,000 jobs for the American work force.

Costco buys the majority of its merchandise directly from manufacturers for shipment either directly to Costco’s selling warehouses or to a consolidation point where various shipments are combined so as to minimize freight and handling costs. As a result, Costco eliminates many of the costs associated with multiple step distribution channels, which include purchasing from distributors as opposed to manufacturers, use of central receiving, storing and distributing warehouses, and storage of merchandise in locations off the sales floors. (1)

Generating high sales volume and rapid inventory turnover by offering fee-paying members low prices on nationally branded and private-label products. Yes, it is appealing because the fees paid by members allowed for sufficient supplemental revenues while the turnover rates allowed Costco to receive cash for inventory before it had to pay many of its merchandise vendors.

Costco has a simple strategy for being one of the leaders in the wholesales, which is concentrating on driving sales. If the sales of a company are good than everything else will take care of itself. While other companies such as Wal-Mart, Target and BJ’s pour money into marketing; Costco has a no-frills approach and doesn’t advertise. Costco focuses on selling fewer items which increases sale volume and

Wal-Mart Corporation is one of the largest retail stores in the world. They serve customers in meeting their needs with low cost saving items. On October 31, 1962, Wal-Mart was founded and incorporated by Sam Walton in Bentonville, Arkansas. Mr. Walton went into business because he felt that items sold were too high for the average customer to afford. His focus was to sell products at low prices to get higher volume sales at a lower profit margin. He bought bulk products from different suppliers so he could incorporate savings into his pricing to lower cost for customers. Under the savings cost concept, Wal-Mart grew rapidly and surpassed its competitors in sales and generating profits.

Publix Supermarkets, Inc. is the largest employee supermarket chain and fastest growing company in the United States. It was founded in 1930 by George W. Jenkins and opened the first Publix store in Winter Haven Florida is a employee- owned privately held corporation. Publix is has over more than 1,061 supermarket stores, eight grocery distribution centers, twelve brand manufacturing facilities, and 820 Publix Pharmacies. The manufacturing facilities produce its dairy, deli, bakery, and other food products. Our stores are located in Florida- 752, Alabama-51, Georgia- 180, South Carolina- 45, and Tennessee- 33. Publix built its first distribution in Lakeland, Florida and moved its headquarters there from Winter

Costco Wholesale club is the second largest retailer in the United States. It is a $42.5 billion company that operates wholesale club stores in seven countries across western Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific.

Exploitability- Since Grocery Checkout is the only online grocery destination in London, they can exploit the full potential of their resources. Grocery Checkout’s

In my understanding of the case study one the CEO Jim Sinegal has proven to be an effective CEO. I would give Mr. Sinegal a “B+” in overall strategic Management Process. In developing a strategic vision he has visualized who, what, and how he is going to sell Costco products. The managements vision is to have rapid inventory turn-over, with operating efficiencies by volume purchasing, efficient distribution, reduce handling of merchandise in no-frill, self-service warehouse facilities. This will enable the company to operate at lower price then their rivals and continually offer members lost cost merchandise.

In order for Costco to stay competitive in the market and ahead of its competitors, it is essential to venture into different products and services. Costco’s main products vary, which include: groceries and frozen products, fresh meats and produce, bakery goods, beverages and liquors, health and beauty products, seasonal goods, office products, appliances and electronics. To increase Costco’s product differentiation over its competitors and increase sales, Costco began to introduce other products; such as pharmacy, gasoline, auto insurance, and a food court. In addition, extends more services to executive card members that include check printing, payroll services, identity protection, free roadside assistance with Costco’s auto insurance, and traveling benefits.

As it was mentioned in previous statements, Costco employees receive beyond minimum wage in addition towards health benefits and services. With 401 (k) retirement plans, reimbursement for child care costs and medical expenses, and open opportunities for career advancement, these initiatives, and incentives make it difficult for stakeholders, consumers, and critics to speak negatively regarding the company.

With 360 warehouses, located in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, and the United Kingdom, Costco Wholesale Corporation is the largest and most profitable chain of its kind.

Dividends were assumed to grow at the geometric average of the last 6 years, 20.28%. P0 = D2 Dn Pn D1 + + ··· + + 1 2 n (1 + Ke ) (1 + Ke ) (1 + Ke ) (1 + Ke )n $1.58 $2.28 $87.31 $1.31 + + ··· + + = 1 2 4 (1 + 7.0%) (1 + 7.0%) (1 + 7.0%) (1 + 7.0%)4 = $72.53

Wal-Mart represents the sickness of capitalism at its almost fully evolved state. As Jim Hightower said, "Why single out Wal-Mart? Because it's a hog. Despite the homespun image it cultivates in its ads, it operates with an arrogance and avarice that would make Enron blush and John D. Rockefeller envious. It's the world's biggest retail corporation and America's largest private employer; Sam Robson Walton, a member of the ruling family, is one of the richest people on earth. Wal-Mart and the Waltons got to the top the old-fashioned way: by roughing people up. Their low, low prices are the product of two ruthless commandments: Extract the last penny possible from human toil and squeeze the last

When you ask an average American about a wholesale dealer, one name stands out, Costco Wholessale Corp. They are one of the biggest wholesale corporation in US. That is very impressive considering they have only been in the industry for about 30 years. They are member based and provide quality goods and services to member only. Their members not just every day people but people who run small business so not only customers buy their product but sell them to others in their own stores as well. While their competitor, Wal-Mart, looks to provide lowest price but inlike Costco’s they overlook the quality. While BJ tries to look pretty to their customer, Costco pay less