What is Costco's business model? Is the company's business model appealing? Why or why not?

What are the chief elements of Costco's strategy? How good is the strategy?

What core values or business principles did Jim Sinegal stress at Costco?

What is competition like in the North American wholesale club industry? Which of the five competitive forces is strongest and why? Use the information in Figures $3\mathrm{.}2-3\mathrm{.}7($and the related discussions$)$ in Chapter $3$ to do a complete five$-$forces analysis of competition in the North American wholesale club industry. What factors are acting to intensify$/$weaken rivalry in the wholesale club industry? What factors are acting to intensify$/$weaken the threat of new entrants in the wholesale club industry? What factors are acting to intensify$/$weaken the competitive pressures associated with substitutes in the wholesale club industry? What factors are acting to intensify$/$weaken the bargaining power and leverage of suppliers in the wholesale club industry? What factors are acting to intensify$/$weaken the bargaining power of buyers in the wholesale club industry? Which of the five competitive forces is strongest and why?

How well is Costco performing from a financial perspective?