Mel,
I to have an original Costco card, all cracked broken from being sat on. When Costco started pumping gas I had to get a new card. The guy at the counter said, "Here, keep this. It's a real collector's item." Still got it.
Some of the other aspects of COST that strike me as exception are its approach to marketing and its "shrinkage" from theft, bounced checks, etc. I figure there can be much loss from: 1.) its membership plan and checks only, 2.)the register receipt checks upon exiting, 3.) a security plan that makes it virtual impossible for shoplifting, 4.) Happy employees (one of the biggest creators of shrinkage).
Knowing some CSOT vendors and potential suppliers, it is apparent that the company is exceptionally innovative in it's marketing. A potential vendor get a test, (those people with the sample trays) you buy your samples out of COST inventory, and everything is accounted for by the end of the day. If a product does turn it's gone - no long marketing chains to go through before pulling something from the shelf.
I think COST is what the "new" retailing is about. The net? I think you'll see a large presence by COST when it becomes essential. Don't forget, Brottman is in Seattle and schmooses with Schultz, Brozos, and all the other retail and net wizards. |
