For decades, Costco offered members a simple proposition. Pay an annual membership fee and get access to the chain's warehouses, where it sells a narrow selection of high-volume items at very good prices. Until 1998, Costco did not even sell items directly through its website. You had to visit its stores if you wanted to buy anything. Even when it did add some online sales, they were limited for many years, and not a focus of the brand. Now, Costco has quietly come into the modern age with CEO Ron Vachr ...

Core Insights - Village Super Market, Inc. (VLGEA) shares have decreased by 12.8% since the earnings report for the quarter ended July 26, 2025, contrasting with a 2.9% decline in the S&P 500 index during the same period [1] - The stock has seen a 20% decline over the past month, while the S&P 500 has grown by 1.2% [1] Financial Performance - Fiscal fourth-quarter earnings per share (EPS) for Class A common stock was $1.05, a slight increase from $1.04 in the previous year, representing a year-over-year growth of less than 1% [2] - Quarterly sales increased by 3.7% to $599.7 million from $578.2 million, driven by a 1.6% rise in same-store sales and contributions from a new store in Watchung, New Jersey [3] - Net income rose by 1% to $15.5 million from $15.4 million in the same quarter last year, while adjusted net income declined by 8% to $15.6 million from $16.9 million [4] Operating Efficiency - Operating and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales improved to 23.11% from 24.20% year-over-year, indicating enhanced operational efficiency [5] - Digital same-store sales grew by 11%, reflecting a shift in consumer preferences towards online grocery shopping [6] Strategic Focus - Management is focusing on digital transformation and operational efficiency, with an emphasis on cost control initiatives and store renovations as growth drivers [8] - The company is prioritizing the modernization and relocation of underperforming stores, as evidenced by the recent opening of a 72,000 square-foot ShopRite replacement store in Watchung, New Jersey [14] Challenges - Profitability was impacted by narrowed gross profit margins, which decreased to 28.17% from 29.34% due to price investments, cost inflation, and reduced rebates from Wakefern [3][10] - The cannibalization effect from new store openings and increased competitive pressure has tempered same-store sales growth and profitability [9]