Costco’s Harvest: A Season of Questions

Costco’s strength, like that of any good farmer, lies in understanding the land. They don’t make fortunes on the price of the wheat, but on the steady stream of hands willing to pay for the right to harvest it. Membership fees, that’s the core. They can afford to sell goods at a thin margin, knowing the real profit comes from the annual pledge. It’s a simple equation, but one easily upset. They’ve built a mountain on the backs of loyal customers, and a crumbling base is a dangerous thing indeed.







