Core Insights - Costco has quietly become a global apparel giant with sales reaching $9.7 billion in fiscal year 2025, surpassing major brands like Prada and Coach [3][4] - The company's apparel sales have grown by 40% from 2019 to 2024, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 7%, while the overall clothing market in China and the U.S. has slowed down [3][4] - Costco's unique selling proposition lies in its ability to offer both affordable basics and luxury brands, appealing to a younger demographic that is increasingly skeptical of traditional luxury pricing [7][9] Apparel Strategy - Costco's clothing strategy focuses on selling basic items with a limited selection, maintaining only 4000 SKUs in total, which is significantly lower than traditional supermarkets [12] - The company employs a bundling sales approach to increase turnover and reduce costs, allowing for lower prices while still maintaining profitability [12][13] - Despite a lower gross margin of 14-15% in its apparel segment, Costco's massive sales volume allows it to outperform many fashion brands [13][14] Membership Model - Membership fees are the primary profit driver for Costco, contributing $5.32 billion in fiscal year 2025, which accounts for 65.7% of net profit [17][18] - The company has a high membership renewal rate of nearly 90%, indicating strong customer loyalty and satisfaction [20] - Costco's strategy of placing luxury items prominently and offering exclusive member benefits is designed to enhance customer retention and encourage repeat visits [18][22] Market Position - Costco's overall revenue for fiscal year 2025 reached $275.24 billion, positioning it among the top five global retailers [16] - The company's apparel business, while significant, is still considered a secondary operation compared to its core fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) offerings [16][21] - The success of Costco's apparel segment in markets like China demonstrates the effectiveness of its business model in diverse regions [21][22]

Core Viewpoint - Costco is emerging as a significant player in the global apparel market, with its clothing sales reaching $9.7 billion (approximately 69.1 billion RMB) in the fiscal year 2025, surpassing major luxury brands and traditional retailers [6][36]. Group 1: Sales Performance and Growth - Costco's apparel sales have seen a cumulative growth of 40% from 2019 to 2024, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 7%, while the overall clothing market in China and the U.S. has been growing at only 4.64% and 3% respectively [7][36]. - The company's clothing business is not only large but also maintains a high growth rate, distinguishing itself from competitors like Sam's Club, which only saw a 21% increase in the same period [7][36]. Group 2: Consumer Behavior and Market Positioning - Two main types of consumers shop for clothing at Costco: those seeking luxury items at discounted prices and those looking for basic, no-frills apparel from Costco's private label, Kirkland Signature [11][21]. - The appeal of Costco lies in its ability to offer luxury brands alongside affordable basics, resonating with younger consumers who are increasingly skeptical of traditional luxury pricing and branding [15][16]. Group 3: Business Model and Strategy - Costco operates on a simplified SKU model, offering only 4,000 total SKUs compared to traditional supermarkets' 20,000, which allows for lower costs and higher turnover rates [29][30]. - The company employs a bundling sales strategy to increase sales volume and reduce inventory turnover time, which further enhances its purchasing power [30][31]. - Costco's marketing expenses are minimal, with only 9% of its revenue allocated to market, sales, and management, allowing it to maintain low prices while still achieving significant sales [32]. Group 4: Membership and Profitability - Membership fees are the primary profit driver for Costco, accounting for 65.7% of its net profit in fiscal year 2025, highlighting the company's focus on member services rather than traditional retail profit margins [39][40]. - The company has achieved a global membership renewal rate of nearly 90%, indicating strong customer loyalty and satisfaction [40]. Group 5: Market Expansion and Future Outlook - Costco's expansion in China has been met with enthusiasm, with record-breaking membership sign-ups and sales growth in new stores, suggesting that its business model is adaptable and appealing in diverse markets [41][42].

Core Insights - The trading card market, particularly for sports and Pokémon cards, is experiencing a surge in demand, prompting retailers to expand their offerings in this category [2][4][5]. Retailer Strategies - Dick's Sporting Goods has launched Collectors Club Houses in 20 locations, with plans for further expansion, to cater to the growing interest in trading cards and memorabilia [2][7]. - Target has diversified its collectibles business, including various trading card categories, and reported a nearly 70% increase in trading card sales during the first half of the year [5]. Consumer Trends - The consumer response to trading cards has surpassed expectations, with many adults purchasing them as investments [3][7]. - The popularity of trading cards has been bolstered by the pandemic, as consumers had more disposable income from stimulus checks and increased time at home [5]. Market Performance - Trading cards, including baseball and Pokémon cards, have outperformed the S&P 500 in recent years, although predicting their future trajectory remains challenging [3][8]. - Analysts suggest that the growth in the collectibles market is driven by adult consumers, as traditional toy markets face demographic challenges [10].

Group 1: Thanksgiving Closures - Most federal and financial institutions will pause operations on Thanksgiving Day, including banks, post offices, and the stock market (NYSE and Nasdaq) [2] - Major shipping carriers such as United Parcel Service Inc. and FedEx Corp. will suspend standard pickup and delivery services on this day [2] - Retail giants like Walmart Inc., Target Corp., Costco Wholesale Corp., Macy's Inc., and Kohl's Corp. will remain closed on Thanksgiving Day [3] Group 2: Thanksgiving Openings - Many grocery chains, including Kroger Co., Whole Foods, and Sprouts Farmers Market Inc., will be open on Thanksgiving, albeit with reduced hours [4] - Select pharmacies like CVS Health Corp. and Walgreens will operate, but customers should check local store hours as pharmacy counters may be closed [4] Group 3: Black Friday Operations - Business operations will resume on Black Friday, November 28, with banks and post offices reopening for regular service [6] - The stock market will open but will close early at 1 p.m. ET on Black Friday [6] - Major retailers, including Walmart and Target, will open at 6 a.m. for Black Friday deals, marking the start of the shopping season [6]

Core Insights - The article discusses the mixed macroeconomic environment as Black Friday approaches, highlighting a concentrated investment strategy in retail and technology sectors due to a "K-shaped" recovery [1][2]. Retail Sector Analysis - Louis Navellier recommends a focused investment in two major retailers, Costco Wholesale Corp. and Walmart Inc., citing their strong same-store sales growth amidst consumer spending constraints [3]. - The "trade-down" effect is emphasized, indicating that consumers are prioritizing value, which benefits discount retailers over luxury brands [3]. Holiday Spending Outlook - Despite predictions of record holiday revenue, the retail sector is viewed as risky due to consumer budget tightening, leading to a decline in overall shopping activity [4][9]. AI Sector Insights - The AI trade is evolving, with a shift in leadership towards companies that apply AI technology and those that build supporting infrastructure, rather than just hardware manufacturers [4][5]. - Specific companies identified as leaders in the AI application space include Applovin Corp. and Palantir Technologies Inc., while data center infrastructure firms like Vertiv Holdings Co. and Emcor Group Inc. are also highlighted [8]. Economic Context - Navellier argues that the U.S. is currently benefiting from China's economic slowdown, which is leading to imported deflation and alleviating pricing pressures from tariffs [6]. - The housing sector is facing challenges, with high ownership costs causing consumers to defer home improvement spending, negatively impacting companies like Home Depot and Lowe's [7][9]. Investment Strategy - The article concludes with a clear message for investors to avoid broad market indices and focus on concentrated opportunities in AI appliers, data center builders, and the two recommended retailers [10].

Core Insights - Costco Wholesale Corporation and BJ's Wholesale Club operate in the warehouse retail space, with Costco having a market capitalization of approximately $396.6 billion and BJ's at roughly $11.8 billion [1][2] - Both companies are navigating a challenging consumer environment characterized by tighter budgets, with Costco leveraging its global scale and BJ's focusing on operational efficiency and market-specific execution [3] Costco's Strengths - Costco's membership-based business model provides a steady revenue stream, with membership renewal rates of 92.3% in the U.S. and Canada and 89.8% worldwide in Q4 of fiscal 2025 [3][4] - The company reported a 14% increase in membership fee income to $1,724 million in the quarter [3] - Costco's net sales for October increased by 8.6% year-over-year to $21.75 billion, demonstrating its ability to adapt to changing consumer preferences [5] - Digitally-enabled comparable sales surged by 16.6% in October, reflecting the effectiveness of Costco's digital initiatives [6] BJ's Wholesale Strengths - BJ's Wholesale has a membership-driven model with a tenured renewal rate of 90% and a higher-tier penetration level of 41%, ending Q3 of fiscal 2025 with 8 million members [7] - The company reported a 30% increase in digitally enabled comparable sales, driven by its focus on convenience and digital engagement [9] - BJ's continues to invest in curated assortments and fresh offerings, enhancing its competitive position against national brands [10] Sales and Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Costco's current fiscal-year sales and EPS indicates year-over-year growth of 7.7% and 11%, respectively [13] - For BJ's Wholesale, the current financial-year sales and EPS estimates imply year-over-year growth of 4.5% and 7.4%, respectively [15] Stock Performance and Valuation - Costco shares have decreased by 12.2% over the past six months, while BJ's Wholesale has seen a steeper decline of 22.3% [18] - Costco's forward P/E ratio is 43.85, below its one-year median of 50.09, while BJ's stands at 19.37, below its median of 23.60 [19] Investment Outlook - Both companies carry a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), but Costco is viewed as the stronger investment option due to its broader scale, strong member loyalty, and consistent execution in challenging consumer conditions [21]

Core Viewpoint - Costco Wholesale is a well-regarded company with strong employee satisfaction and consistent revenue growth, making it an appealing investment despite its high valuation multiples [2][4][8]. Employee Satisfaction - Costco is recognized as a favorable employer, with an employee turnover rate of only 8%, significantly lower than the retail industry average of 60% [5]. - Employee reviews on Glassdoor rate Costco at 3.9 out of 5 stars, outperforming competitors like Walmart's Sam's Club (3.3) and BJ's Wholesale (3.0) [5]. Dividend and Financial Performance - Costco offers a modest dividend yield of 0.6%, lower than Walmart's 0.9%, but has a history of 20 consecutive years of dividend increases [6]. - The company occasionally issues special dividends, with the last one in 2023 providing a one-time distribution that added 1.5% to annual income [6]. Valuation Metrics - Costco trades at a high price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 49, compared to Walmart's 36 and BJ's 20, indicating a premium valuation [7]. - Despite its high valuation, Costco has demonstrated positive revenue growth in 33 of the last 34 fiscal years, suggesting strong business fundamentals [8].

Core Insights - The article discusses the phenomenon of businesses maintaining stable prices despite rising costs and competition, using examples from various industries to illustrate this trend [1][2][3] Group 1: Business Examples - A local bakery has maintained a price of 1 yuan for its popular pepper salt buns, offering a "buy two, get one free" deal, which has contributed to its steady customer base [1] - Other examples include the "Old Zhongjie" ice pops and the "Qianxiancao" cucumber water, both of which have not increased their prices for years, demonstrating a commitment to affordability [2] - Costco's hot dog combo has remained at $1.50 since 1985, showcasing a successful pricing strategy that has not hindered its growth, with projected net sales of $269.9 billion for fiscal year 2025 [2] Group 2: Pricing Strategy and Market Position - Coca-Cola has kept its 500ml bottle price around 3 yuan for nearly 20 years, leveraging a low-margin, high-volume model to create a competitive advantage [3] - The local bakery sells approximately 4,000 to 5,000 buns daily, generating nearly 3,000 yuan in revenue, indicating a successful business model focused on customer retention and community engagement [3] - The bakery's pricing strategy may be aimed at retaining price-sensitive customers and differentiating itself in a competitive market, reflecting a broader trend of businesses prioritizing long-term customer relationships over short-term profits [3]

Group 1 - Whales have shown a bullish stance on Costco Wholesale, with 44% of trades being bullish and 34% bearish, indicating strong investor interest [1] - The total amount for put trades was $1,861,411, while call trades totaled $2,471,674, suggesting a higher confidence in upward price movement [1] - The predicted price range for Costco Wholesale is between $580.0 and $1280.0, reflecting the expectations of significant price movement [2] Group 2 - Recent options activity shows a mix of bearish and neutral sentiments, with notable trades including a bearish call sweep and a bearish put trade [7] - Costco Wholesale operates approximately 910 warehouses and serves over 80 million members, with a revenue breakdown of 73% from the US, 13% from Canada, and 14% from international markets [8] - Analysts have a consensus target price of $1,068.75 for Costco Wholesale, with individual targets ranging from $1,025 to $1,100, indicating a generally positive outlook [10][11] Group 3 - The current stock price of Costco Wholesale is $885.73, reflecting a slight decrease of -0.04%, with upcoming earnings expected in 16 days [13]

We recently published Top 10 Non-AI Stocks Redditors are Buying Ahead of Potential Bubble Burst. Costco Wholesale Corp (NASDAQ:COST) is one of the top non-AI stocks redditors are buying. Redditors believe Costco Wholesale Corp (NASDAQ:COST) remains one of the best non-AI stocks for long-term investors. Evercore ISI analyst Greg Melich said in a note last month that extended operating hours and selling GLP-1 drugs at its stores are expected to boost traffic for Costco Wholesale Corp (NASDAQ:COST). The anal ...