Affirm is partnering with Costco to offer online shoppers the option to pay over time for transactions.The financial services company announced the collaboration Thursday (May 8) in a shareholder letter. Customers, if approved, will be to able select monthly Affirm payment plans when shopping on Costco’s website.“[We] are proud to announce our online partnership with Costco — a brand and a retailer I have personally admired for a long time because of their unwavering commitment to customer experience and tr ...

Core Viewpoint - Costco's internal investigation policies are criticized for being overly broad and potentially infringing on employee rights, particularly regarding confidentiality agreements that employees must sign when raising complaints [1][7]. Group 1: Case Background - The case involves Jessica Georg, who filed a sexual harassment complaint against a co-worker in 2022 using Costco's "Open Door" policy [2]. - Georg was required to sign a confidentiality agreement that prohibited her from discussing the matter with coworkers, which raised concerns about the implications for employee rights [3][6]. Group 2: Legal Arguments - Costco's lawyer argued that confidentiality rules are designed to protect the integrity of investigations and encourage candid employee statements, especially in the retail industry [4]. - The lawyer emphasized that the rules are not meant to deter discussions about wages, working conditions, or union formation [5]. Group 3: NLRB Findings - The NLRB found that the individual Georg complained about had multiple prior complaints against him, and Georg expressed concerns that sharing information could jeopardize her job [6]. - NLRB attorneys suggested that a more tailored confidentiality agreement could protect sensitive information while ensuring workers' rights against harassment [7]. Group 4: Judge's Decision - Judge Gollin proposed that Costco post a notice in the warehouse where the violation occurred, as the NLRB did not conclusively prove that similar confidentiality forms were used across all US locations [8]. - The case will proceed to the NLRB's board, with exceptions to the decision due by June 2 [8].

Core Insights - Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) demonstrated strong comparable sales growth in April, driven by its competitive pricing and high-quality offerings, appealing to value-conscious shoppers [1][6] Sales Performance - For the four weeks ending May 4, 2025, comparable sales in the United States, Canada, and Other International markets grew by 5.2%, 1.5%, and 3.2% respectively, leading to a total company comparable sales increase of 4.4% [2] - The sales growth in April followed increases of 6.4% in March and 6.5% in February [2] - A calendar shift due to Easter resulted in one less shopping day in April compared to the previous year, negatively impacting total and comparable sales by approximately 1.5% to 2% [3] Adjusted Sales Figures - When excluding the effects of gasoline prices and foreign exchange rates, comparable sales in the United States rose by 7.1% in April, while Canada and Other International markets saw increases of 5% and 6.5% respectively, leading to a total comparable sales increase of 6.7% [4] E-commerce Growth - Costco's e-commerce comparable sales surged by 12.6%, or 13% when adjusted for gasoline prices and foreign exchange fluctuations [5] - Net sales for April reached $21.18 billion, a 7% increase from $19.80 billion in the same period last year, following sales improvements of 8.6% and 8.8% in March and February respectively [5] Business Model and Investor Sentiment - Costco's membership-based business model, high membership renewal rates, efficient supply-chain management, and bulk purchasing power contribute to its competitive pricing and customer loyalty [6] - The company's shares have increased by 29.3% over the past year, outperforming the Retail – Discount Stores industry's growth of 14.6% [6]

然而，光环之下暗流涌动。2024年，山姆中国新店增速从2023年的40%骤降至18%，下沉市场门店坪效 不足一线城市的60%。更严峻的是，其线上GMV增速仅为25%，远低于盒马X会员店的65%和京东七鲜 的50%。高歌猛进的山姆，正面临会员增长放缓、供应链承压、本土化不足的多重挑战。 山姆的三重护城河 山姆会员店用26年时间在中国市场筑起了一座看似坚不可摧的堡垒，但2024年的数据却暴露出裂痕—— 当会员费涨价与消费降级浪潮碰撞，当Costco与盒马X会员店从南北两翼包抄，这座堡垒的根基正在动 摇。 1. 精准的会员筛选机制 山姆会员店通过设置较高的会员门槛，成功筛选出一批具有高消费能力和忠诚度的优质客户群体。其会 员年费在2024 年达到 260 元，这一费用虽然不菲，但却为山姆筛选出了家庭年收入超过 30 万元，且以 30 至 50 岁中青年为主的高价值用户。这些人追求生活品质，愿意为优质商品支付溢价，为山姆带来了 稳定的客源和较高的客单价。数据显示，2024 年山姆的会员数量突破 400 万，会员年费收入高达 20 亿 元，会员的高粘性使得其复购率保持在 70% 左右，远高于普通超市。 2. 严选供应链 ...

Summary of Conference Call Company Overview - The conference call was led by Andrew Yoon, director of finance and investor relations, discussing sales results for the retail month of April, comparing it to the same period last year [1] Key Financial Metrics - Net sales for April reached $21.18 billion, marking a 7% increase from $19.8 billion in the previous year [2] - The month had one less shopping day compared to last year due to the shift in Easter, negatively impacting total and comparable sales by approximately 1.5% to 2% [2] Comparable Sales Performance - Reported comparable sales for April were as follows: - US: 5.2% - Canada: 1.5% - Other International: 3.2% - Total Company: 4.4% - E-commerce: 12.6% [3] - Comparable sales excluding impacts from gasoline prices and foreign exchange were: - Total Company: 6.7% - E-commerce: 13% [3] - Comp traffic increased by 4.2% worldwide and 5% in the US [3] Impact of External Factors - Foreign currency fluctuations negatively impacted total and comparable sales: - Canada: -1.6% - Other International: -2.5% - Total Company: -0.6% [3] - Gas price deflation negatively impacted total reported comparable sales by approximately -1.7%, with the average worldwide selling price per gallon down about 13.4% year-over-year [4] Regional Performance - Strongest comparable sales in the US were observed in the Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast regions [5] - Internationally, the best results were seen in Mexico, Korea, and Taiwan [5] Merchandise Highlights - Foods and sundries showed positive high single-digit growth [5] - Better performing departments included: - Fresh foods: high single digits - Meat and bakery: strong performance - Non-foods: mid to high single digits, with jewelry, majors, and home furnishings performing well [6] - Ancillary business sales were down mid to high single digits, while pharmacy, optical, and food court were the top performers [7] Future Outlook - The May reporting period will cover the four weeks beginning May 5 and ending June 1, compared to the same period last year [7]

Core Insights - Costco reported net sales of $21.18 billion for April 2025, a 7.0% increase from $19.80 billion in April 2024 [1] - For the first 35 weeks of the fiscal year, net sales reached $180.05 billion, up 8.2% from $166.44 billion in the same period last year [1] - Comparable sales for the four weeks ended May 4, 2025, showed a total company increase of 4.4%, with U.S. sales up 5.2% and Canadian sales up 1.5% [1][2] Sales Performance - Comparable sales excluding gasoline price and foreign exchange impacts were 6.7% for the four weeks and 8.1% for the first 35 weeks [2] - E-commerce sales saw significant growth, with a 12.6% increase for the four weeks and a 16.3% increase for the first 35 weeks [1][2] Operational Insights - Costco operates 905 warehouses globally, with 624 located in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, and additional locations in Canada, Mexico, Japan, the U.K., and other countries [4] - The company also runs e-commerce sites in multiple countries, including the U.S., Canada, and Australia [4] Calendar Impact - April 2025 had one less shopping day compared to the previous year due to the Easter calendar shift, negatively impacting total and comparable sales by approximately 1.5% to 2% [3]

Core Viewpoint - Costco Wholesale Corporation is currently trading at a high forward P/E multiple of 52.96X, indicating it may be overvalued compared to the industry average of 32.41X and the S&P 500's 20.97 [1][7] Valuation and Performance - The stock has risen 11.9% over the past month, outperforming its peers, but this steep increase may limit near-term upside potential [2][3] - Costco's valuation is above its median P/E level of 50 observed over the past year, suggesting caution for new investors [1][7] Membership and Growth - Costco ended Q2 of fiscal 2025 with 78.4 million paid household members, a 6.8% year-over-year increase, with executive memberships growing by 9.1% [9] - Membership fee income increased by 7.4%, aided by a recent fee hike contributing approximately 3% growth in the quarter [9] E-commerce and Digital Transformation - E-commerce comparable sales grew by 20.9% in Q2, reflecting the success of Costco's digital transformation strategy [10] - The company is enhancing its online product assortment and fulfillment efficiencies to drive traffic and sales [10] Expansion Plans - Costco plans to open 28 new locations by the end of fiscal 2025, including 25 new warehouses and three relocations [11] Competitive Landscape - Costco is outperforming competitors like Ross Stores, Dollar General, and Target, which are also investing in enhancing customer experience [12] - The competitive environment is intensifying, necessitating continued focus on maintaining margins and managing operational costs [13] Financial Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current fiscal year has risen to $17.96, while the estimate for the next fiscal year has decreased to $19.73, indicating expected growth rates of 11.5% and 9.9% respectively [14]

Company Performance - Costco's stock closed at $1,014.89, reflecting a +0.65% change, outperforming the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.64% [1] - Over the past month, Costco shares have increased by 10.02%, significantly surpassing the Retail-Wholesale sector's gain of 0.16% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.38% [1] Upcoming Earnings Report - Costco is set to release its earnings report on May 29, 2025, with analysts expecting earnings of $4.25 per share, indicating a year-over-year growth of 12.43% [2] - The consensus estimate for revenue is projected at $63 billion, representing a 7.67% increase compared to the same quarter last year [2] Annual Estimates - For the annual period, Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $17.96 per share and revenue of $274.3 billion, reflecting year-over-year changes of +11.48% and +7.8%, respectively [3] - Recent changes to analyst estimates for Costco are noted, as positive revisions typically indicate optimism regarding the company's business and profitability [3] Zacks Rank and Performance - The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from 1 (Strong Buy) to 5 (Strong Sell), shows Costco currently holds a rank of 3 (Hold) [5] - Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate for Costco has increased by 0.09% [5] Valuation Metrics - Costco's Forward P/E ratio stands at 56.16, which is a premium compared to the industry average of 21.93 [6] - The company has a PEG ratio of 6.02, compared to the Retail - Discount Stores industry's average PEG ratio of 2.65 [6] Industry Context - The Retail - Discount Stores industry, part of the Retail-Wholesale sector, has a Zacks Industry Rank of 94, placing it in the top 39% of all industries [7] - Research indicates that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1 [7]

COST rises throughout the session after alertCostco, Inc. (COST) today experienced a Power Inflow, a significant event for those who follow where smart money goes and value order flow analytics in their trading decisions. Today, at 10:03 AM on May 5th, a significant trading signal occurred for Costco, Inc. (COST) as it demonstrated a Power Inflow at a price of $1006.24. This indicator is crucial for traders who want to know directionally where institutions and so-called "smart money" moves in the market. Th ...

观察者网消息，美国总统特朗普不可预测的关税政策，对越南庞大的出口行业造成巨大冲击。 美国《纽约时报》5月4日刊文称，即便有90天的暂缓期，但越南工人仍生活在迷茫与恐惧之中。多名越南 工厂的高管表示，工厂利润率微薄，平均只有5%。目前一些工厂正加大产量，以便在暂缓期结束前完成发 货。但与此同时，一些美国客户开始取消订单或推迟新订单，有工厂已经开始裁员或冻结招聘。 谈到有关特朗普可能会延长关税暂缓期的分析时，一家越南工厂的老板表示，如果不确定性持续，客户将 选择其他供应商，"他们为什么要再等90天？如果等到最后结果不好怎么办？" "恐惧正在越南工厂蔓延" 阮氏雪杏（Nguyen Thi Tuyet Hanh，音译）现年40岁，是一家工厂的生产线经理，每月工资为577美元，负 责为耐克等全球品牌生产鞋子。2023年丈夫失业后，她每周六天在工厂打两份工，持续了一年多。她别无 选择，因为需要养活四个孩子，让他们继续上学。 "太残酷了，"阮氏雪杏表示，"我的家人经历过一段艰难的时期，我不想再经历一次了。" 她透露，她的丈夫已经重返工厂全职工作，但特朗普计划对越南进口产品征收46%的关税，让他们一家人 的生活再次充满不确定 ...