The national survey of 2,932 Canadians, conducted by Maru Public Opinion as part of the Canada’s Most Respected Awards Program, found that Costco was the most respected food retailer in Canada for the second consecutive time.
The national survey of 2,932 Canadians, conducted by Maru Public Opinion as part of the Canada’s Most Respected Awards Program, found that Costco was the most respected food retailer in Canada for the second consecutive time.
Costco’s business model makes way more sense than most other grocery retailers. My only complaint previously was that the sheer volume of groceries you needed to buy to make it worthwhile turned it into more of a mecca of car-dependency culture than anything.
Now that there are somewhat affordable delivery options, they are head and shoulders better than any other grocery store in my opinion.
Yes, there is something to be said about only opening stores in high density, high income neighbourhoods. With only 855 stores worldwide (and only 107 in Canada), they are able to generate well over a billion dollars in net income by doing so.
But there is only so many high density, high income neighbourhoods, and they can only handle so many stores. It is not really a duplicatable model. Instead, Loblaw and the like go where Costco refuses to. You can actually find their stores in small towns and other poduck places.
Sure, it’s not nearly as profitable serving the poor. Loblaw has over 2,400 stores, yet only sees a measly 500 million dollars in net income, but ultimately someone needs to service those markets. And, really, it’s still a pretty good gig. Old Galen there isn’t exactly hurting.
I go by bike. Very possible, especially with a cargo bike, but even with a normal one with panniers.