Costco built its brand on supermarket staples. If you wanted a truckload of toilet paper or enough ham to pack 50 sandwiches, it was the place to go. But Costco has increasingly moved beyond mustard and milk.The most well-known "surprise" in Costco's sales success strategy may be the boom in gold bars bought by its customers in recent years. But the big-box retailer is also seeing a boom in sales of saunas and sofas, many of them purchased online. In industry parlance, these purchases are termed "big and bu ...

Core Insights - Membership-based warehouse clubs like Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's Wholesale are experiencing significant growth due to increased membership and changing consumer demographics, particularly among younger shoppers [2][3][27] Group 1: Membership Growth and Expansion - Costco has nearly 80 million paid household members globally, while BJ's has about 8 million members, reflecting a 55% increase since going public [25] - Sam's Club aims to double its membership over the next eight to ten years, with membership income growing nearly 8% in the most recent quarter [26] - All three retailers are expanding their locations, with Costco planning to open about 30 clubs per year, BJ's targeting 25 to 30 new clubs over the next two fiscal years, and Sam's Club planning to open 15 clubs annually [10][9][8] Group 2: Consumer Trends and Preferences - Younger consumers, particularly Gen Z and millennials, are driving membership growth, with these demographics accounting for half of Sam's Club's membership growth over the past two years [27] - The average age of Costco members has decreased, with nearly half of new members being under 40 [28] - Spending among customers aged 25 to 34 on general merchandise at clubs rose by 3% from January to July 2025 compared to the previous year [29] Group 3: Retail Strategies and Innovations - Warehouse clubs are enhancing the shopping experience by incorporating technology such as curbside pickup, home delivery, and self-checkout options like Sam's Club's Scan & Go, which accounts for about 40% of transactions [18][20] - Costco and BJ's are expanding their digital offerings, with BJ's e-commerce sales jumping 34% in the most recent quarter [20][22] - Clubs are diversifying their merchandise, including trendy brands and private label products, to attract a broader customer base [30][32] Group 4: Economic Factors and Challenges - High inflation has increased the appeal of warehouse clubs as consumers seek cheaper options for groceries and household staples [4] - Retailers are navigating challenges such as an uncertain job market and tariffs, with strategies in place to mitigate the impact of high tariffs on imported goods [11][12] - BJ's plans to carry more holiday items from the U.S. or countries with lower tariff exposure to adapt to these economic pressures [13]

As gold prices dip in Vietnam, a contrasting trend is seen in the global market. In the latest market update, the price of gold bars from the Saigon Jewelry Company fell by 1.43% to VND131.4 million (approximately US$4,980.1) per tael. Meanwhile, local bullion prices still outstrip global ones by VND15 million per tael, a notable gap in the current economy.Gold ring prices also took a hit, decreasing by 1.23% to VND128 million per tael. For reference, a tael weighs about 37.5 grams or 1.2 ounces, a unit fam ...

President Trump on Monday said gold bars will not face tariffs –  leading to relief from global bullion markets after days of speculation that the precious metal could be caught up in the ongoing global trade war.“Gold will not be Tariffed!” Trump wrote in a post on his social media platform Truth Social Monday.US spot gold – the global benchmark – fell 1.2% to $3,357 an ounce following Trump’s comment, while gold futures dropped 2.4% to $3,407 after soaring to a record-high above $3,500 last week. Presiden ...

Group 1: Company Overview - Costco is a strong investment option due to its consistent business performance and high membership renewal rate of 93% in the U.S. market, indicating customer loyalty [2][3] - The majority of Costco's profits come from membership fees rather than product sales, allowing for steadier annual earnings compared to traditional retailers [3] Group 2: Competitive Position - Costco's comparable-store sales increased by 9% in the last quarter, outperforming competitors like Target (2%) and Walmart (5%) [4] - The company's e-commerce revenue, which includes discretionary products, grew by 22% last quarter, showcasing its ability to thrive in various market conditions [5] Group 3: Valuation and Investment Appeal - Costco shares are trading at over 50 times earnings, indicating a premium valuation compared to Walmart's P/E ratio of 36 and Target's 0.5 times sales [6] - Despite a lower dividend yield compared to Walmart, Costco is expected to deliver market-beating returns as it continues to gain market share and expand into new growth areas [7][8]