When Tik Tocker Evelyn Huarez saw that her toddler had done this, >> look at what this human did. >> Jani, >> she put slime on my carpet. >> She thought the Costco rug she bought just 4 months ago was a sunk cost.>> I like gasped. I tried to scrape off the slime with my nails and nothing worked. But then she says she remembered the company's risk-free return policy.>> I'm kind of nervous to ask, but we're going to see. >> Anything wrong. Do you have any.>> Yes. It has a stain on it and I couldn't take it ou ...

Core Insights - Costco's first flagship store in South China opened in Longhua, Shenzhen, attracting significant customer traffic and indicating strong market interest [6][7]. Company Overview - Costco's Longhua store has nearly 150,000 members with a renewal rate of 70%, showcasing strong customer loyalty [6][9]. - The store's customer base consists of 60% local Shenzhen residents, 15% from Hong Kong, and others from nearby cities like Guangzhou and Dongguan [9]. Market Dynamics - The retail landscape in Shenzhen is evolving, with Costco facing competition from established players and online shopping [6][10]. - Shenzhen's retail market saw a total retail sales of 411.59 billion yuan in the first five months of 2023, growing by 4.7% year-on-year, indicating a robust consumer market [10]. Strategic Positioning - Costco's entry into Shenzhen is supported by local government policies aimed at enhancing modern service and high-end retail sectors [7][11]. - The store's location near public transport and its focus on high-quality, differentiated products align with the increasing consumer demand for premium goods [7][9]. Future Plans - Costco plans to expand its online business in China, aiming to provide a diversified shopping experience [11]. - The company is also set to establish an eight-story headquarters in China by 2025, indicating a long-term commitment to the market [11].

Compensation & Benefits - Costco's starting hourly pay for new employees is $20 [1] - After 5 years, the hourly pay increases to $31.90 [1] - After 6 years, employees are eligible for approximately $5,500 in annual bonus checks [1] - With overtime and Sunday pay (1.5x base rate), annual salary can exceed $80,000 [1]

Group 1: Target Corp (TGT) - Barclays downgraded Target Corp stock to "underweight" from "equal weight," indicating potential ongoing sales weakness unless a strategy revision occurs [1] - TGT shares are down 0.8% to $102.67, with a 24% year-to-date deficit and on track for its fourth loss in five sessions [2] - The stock has struggled to surpass $110 since March but has remained above $100 this month [2] Group 2: Costco Wholesale Corp (COST) - COST is down 0.1% to $949.69, with a support level forming around the $950 region [3] - The stock is experiencing its fourth loss in five sessions and has recorded a second consecutive weekly loss [3] - Year-over-year, COST shares are up 13.3% [3] Group 3: TJX Companies Inc (TJX) - TJX is outperforming its peers, up 2.3% to $125.01, marking its best single-day percentage gain since May [4] - The stock is bouncing off the $120 region, which has provided support during its June pullback [4] - Over the last 12 months, TJX shares have increased by more than 12% [4]

Based on recent trends in the market and the economy, investors might think that the only way to achieve outsized returns is to allocate capital to the technology sector. After all, that's where some of the most dominant businesses reside. But other sectors can also provide winners. Since mid-July 1995, one top retail stock has generated a monster total return of just over 16,000%, or 18.5% on an annualized basis. Had you been around to invest just $1,000 into this business back then, you'd have $163,000 to ...

Overall Summary - The Brand Finance report reveals that the total brand value of the world's top 100 retail brands has reached USD 1.3 trillion, with a 9% increase year-on-year, highlighting the dominance of US brands and the strong performance of Chinese e-commerce brands [16][26][29]. Group 1: Brand Performance - Amazon retains its position as the world's most valuable retail brand for the tenth consecutive year, with a brand value of USD 356.4 billion, reflecting a 15% growth [16][35][42]. - Walmart ranks second with a brand value of USD 137.2 billion, marking a 42% increase, driven by private-label expansion and a rebranding effort aimed at younger consumers [16][36]. - Kmart is noted as the fastest-growing brand, with a 79% increase in brand value to USD 2.2 billion, attributed to its successful private label strategy [16][53]. Group 2: Regional Insights - The United States leads with 36 brands contributing 68% of the total brand value, amounting to USD 856.1 billion [29][30]. - China, despite a 14% decline in overall brand value, remains the third-highest contributor with USD 66.7 billion [27][29]. - Germany ranks second in brand value contribution at USD 83.4 billion, with strong performances from discount retailers like Lidl and Aldi [27][29]. Group 3: Brand Strength and Leadership - ICA from Sweden is recognized as the strongest retail brand globally, with a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 93.2 [2][65]. - The Brand Guardianship Index ranks Philip Daniele of AutoZone as the top retail brand CEO, reflecting strong leadership in brand management [80][89]. - E-commerce brands are increasingly prominent, with four of the top ten strongest retail brands originating from this sector, including JD.com and Meituan from China [71][72]. Group 4: Sustainability Trends - Sustainability is becoming a critical factor in consumer choice, with 4.9% of consideration driven by sustainability practices in retail [93]. - Brands are focusing on energy efficiency, waste reduction, and ethical sourcing to meet growing consumer demand for transparency and responsible practices [93].

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Core Viewpoint - Costco is currently in Phase 11 of its 18-phase Adhishthana Cycle, suggesting a potential peak formation after a strong rally, with the stock declining approximately 11% from its all-time high of $1078.23 [1][6]. Weekly Chart Analysis - Costco confirmed a breakout from its Cakra formation in Phase 9, leading to a rally of approximately 23% [4]. - In Phase 10, the stock surged an additional 66%, indicating continued upward momentum without forming a peak [4]. - Phase 11 saw the stock reach an all-time high of $1078.23, but it has since failed to reclaim that level, suggesting a possible peak has been formed [6][5]. Monthly Chart Analysis - On the monthly chart, Costco is in Phase 12, having also broken out of its Cakra in Phase 9 and rallied through Phases 10 and 11 [9]. - Uniquely, the stock did not form a peak in either Phase 10 or 11, which is rare according to the Adhishthana framework [9]. - The last bar of Phase 11 is critical; if it confirms the peak at $1078.23, it would indicate a potential end to the rally [10]. Investor Outlook - Investors should monitor the $893.62 level, which is the Phase 10 high; breaking this level could confirm the beginning of a descent [11]. - If the stock breaches $1078.23, it would indicate that the rally continues, potentially entering a more powerful phase [12].

Core Viewpoint - The retail sector presents challenges for investors due to rapidly changing consumer preferences and retailer adaptability, with Costco and Kohl's demonstrating contrasting performance trends [1][2]. Costco - Costco is well-known for its bulk-selling warehouse model, charging an annual membership fee that grants access to a wide range of goods and services at competitive prices [4]. - The company has maintained high membership renewal rates, consistently around 90%, with a recent rate of 92.7% in the U.S. and Canada despite a membership fee increase [5]. - Membership numbers have grown to 79.6 million, up from 76.2 million, and the company operates 905 warehouses, having opened 20 to 30 new locations annually [6]. - Costco's operating income increased by 15.2% to $2.5 billion in the third quarter, reflecting strong profitability [6]. - Over the past five years, Costco's share price has risen by 203.8%, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 98.7% increase [7]. - The stock has a high price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 56, indicating strong market expectations for continued profitability growth [8]. Kohl's - Kohl's offers a range of moderately priced merchandise but has struggled with declining sales and profits, with fiscal 2024 same-store sales dropping by 6.5% and earnings per diluted share falling by approximately 47% to $1.50 [9][10]. - The company has implemented various initiatives to drive traffic and sales, including integrating Sephora beauty shops and facilitating Amazon returns, but these efforts have not significantly improved sales [9]. - Management projects a further decline in same-store sales of 4% to 6% and diluted earnings per share to fall between $0.10 and $0.60 for the current fiscal year [11]. - The company has experienced leadership instability, with the recent CEO being terminated after a few months, complicating long-term turnaround efforts [11]. - Kohl's board reduced the quarterly dividend from $0.50 to $0.125, a move that typically signals a lack of confidence in future performance [12]. - Over the last five years, Kohl's share price has decreased by more than 55%, and it currently has a low P/E multiple of 9 [12]. Selection - Costco is identified as a better-managed company with consistent execution and growth opportunities, despite its higher valuation compared to Kohl's [13]. - Kohl's is viewed as a less attractive investment due to the current unlikelihood of a turnaround [13].

Legal Dispute - Costco 被 Lululemon 起诉，原因是涉嫌销售后者高端运动休闲服装的廉价仿制品 [1] Industry Implication - 该事件反映了消费者对 Costco 的高度关注 [1]