Costco CEO Jim Sinegal on how the wholesale retailer went from concept to $1 billion in just three years.

Source: CNNMoney – video report
 
Date: 8/17/2009

Keys: Management, marketing, small business

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/smallbusiness/2009/08/17/sbiz.hwgs.costco.sinegal.smb/

Questions for discussion:

• Summarize the small business developmental history of Costco into the firm that exists today?
• What were some of the key problems faced by management in the early years?
• What would you say is the key competitive advantage offered to customers that has resulted in Costco’s success?
•  In which ways do you think Costco will be different in say, five years from today? For example, will its customer base or product offering change?