Notes from https://www.economist.com/business/2024/02/15/why-costco-is-so-loved * Costco * "arrogantly simple" business model - hook shoppers by offering high-quality products at the lowest prices * gross margin iss ~12% vs. Walmart’s 24% * 129 million members in 2023 -> \$4.6 bn, more than half of operating profits * 3,800 distinct items vs. 7,000 items at Sam's Club vs. 120,000 at Walmart superstore * Kirkland Signature accounts for over a quarter of sales * Staff turnover is 8% * offers generous medical and retirement benefits to employees * Telsey Advisory Group Notes from https://hbr.org/2024/03/lessons-from-costco-on-sustainable-growth * Costco * intelligent loss of sales * To protect low prices, Costco has in place what organizational psychologists call “commitment devices” that deliberately limit what it can do in the future. * There is a rule for not marking up any branded item by more than 14% and any Kirkland item by more than 15%. * 871 stores * Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts * doesn’t do loyalty programs. * Its way of boosting sales and attracting new customers is to offer consistent service and rely on word of mouth. * Isadore Sharp is the founder * high-touch-service, medium-size hotels * Unit managers — those who run a single factory, store, hospital, call center, or hotel