Costco’s Unorthodox Retail Strategy Sets It Apart in a Competitive Industry
Retail remains one of the most cutthroat sectors globally, with a projected $37 trillion market by 2030. Yet Costco Wholesale defies conventional wisdom through unconventional tactics—from mandatory memberships to curated product selections—that have cemented its dominance. The warehouse giant now enforces a controversial new policy affecting its 79.6 million members, further distancing itself from competitors.
Unlike retailers desperate for any transaction, Costco bars non-members from purchasing in-store. This exclusivity fuels recurring revenue and customer loyalty, with Gold Star ($65/year) and Executive ($130/year) tiers creating a self-selecting ecosystem. The model echoes cryptocurrency's token-gated communities, where access drives value perception.
