Costco Case From Strategic Management
Costco Case From Strategic Management
Costco Case From Strategic Management
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Our Presentation at a
Glance
About Costco Wholesale, Mission & Vision
Costcos Business Model, Driving Forces,
KSFs
Costcos Strategies & Objectives
Industry Analysis-SWOT, Porters 5 Forces,
Life Cycle
Competitive Analysis- Strategic Group Map
Financial Analysis
Recommendations
Case Summary
End of 2011
$88.9 Billion in Sales
598 warehouses world-wide
54 million members
- Average yearly income $70,000
Quality merchandise
Low price
About Costco
Wholesale
Seventh Largest retailer in the
world and third largest retailer in the
U.S
CEO: James Sinegal
Headquarters: Issaquah, WA
Inception: Seattle, WA 1983
Founders: James Sinegal & Jefferey
Brotman
Mission of Costco
Wholesale
Mission:
Continually provide our members with
quality goods and services at the lowest
possible prices.
Vision of Costco
Wholesale
Vision:
Our business is to give the customer the best
value we can. Jim Sinegal, CEO & Founder of
Costco
We're going to be a company thats on a firstname basis with everyone.
Volume purchasing
Efficient distribution
Reduced handling of merchandise
+No-frills, self-service warehouse
Operating efficiencies
Driving Forces
Internet
Technology
green technology is a concern
Market saturation
Legislation- proposed tax on
big-box stores
Rising costs
Recession
Corporate
Strategy
Cost strategy
Penetration Pricing
Below the Line Promotion
No frills
Diversion Buying Strategy
Treasure hunt" shopping experience
Chief Elements of
Costco's Strategy
Low prices
Limited product lines and
selection
Treasure hunt shopping
environment
Employment Objectives
Management Objectives
Always promote from
within
Training happens
constantly
Grow our own talent
Model what you want
from your employees
Business Objectives
Dont try to be too
much to too many
Know on what level
you compete
Know your
customers
why they do
business with you
Stay focused on
your core business
Growth Objectives
Run the business for
long-term
sustainability
Open new stores
50-60 new
locations per year
Keep Internet sales
growing
Marketing Objectives
Word of mouth only
No PR department,
ever?
Ethics Objectives
Obey the law
Treat customers right
Treat employees right
Treat suppliers right
Industry Analysis
SWOT Analysis
Porter Analysis
Life Cycle
SWOC Analysis
S
Strengths
Low Prices
Strong Brand
Operating Efficiency
Exceptional Workforce
Strong membership
High Inventory Turnover
Opportunities
Appeal to conscientious
shopper
Expand into foreign
stable markets
Mergers & Acquisitions
Massive supplier pool
Weaknesses
Burden of high wages
paid to workers
Low price margins
E-commerce activities
Small Marketing budget
compared to discount
retailers and Super
Markets
Challenges
Aggressive price
competition by rivals
Political complications in
foreign markets
Cannibalization due to
domestic market
saturation
Suppliers
Weak bargaining
power
Many suppliers
Low switching
cost
Many substitutes
exist
Large quantities
are needed
Strong threat
Good substitutes
everywhere
Price not significantly
higher
Comparable product
features
More variety of features
Competing
Low
switching cost
Sellers
Fierce competition
Costco is on top
Quality is slightly
better
Buyer demand is
growing
Buyers switching
Potential
New
cost is low
Entrants
Low threat
Small pool of entry
candidates
High barriers to
entry
Buyers
Weak bargaining
power
Some switching
costs
Large
membership base
Costco has the
best value
Competitive Analysis
Costco's main competitors are Sam's Club, BJs Wholesale Club,
Other retailers. They share a similar business model, selling
high volumes of merchandise at low prices in a membershiponly warehouse club. Each company sells a similar array of
general merchandise, including food, apparel, and gasoline.
FY 2011 Costco vs. Competitors
Company
Costco
Sam's Club
BJ's Wholesale Club
Revenue
(Billions)
$70.9
$53.8
$10.0
Comparable
Net Income Operating Store Sales
(Billions)
Margin
(Decline) Locations
$1.3
2.7%
6.0%
598
N/A
3.4%
4.8%
611
$2.3
2.3%
9.4%
195
Competitive Analysis
Greater benefits for Costco employees
Wages: $17/hr on average
Health Insurance : 90% premium
coverage
Sales Breakdown
Lower price margins
Financial Analysis
Costco earned $88.9 Billion in
revenue in 2011 2.23%
increase from 2010
In 2011, Costcos operating
income (margin) reached
2.80% of sales.
Costcos net income in 2011
was $1.46 billion dollars an
12.2% increase from 2011
Financial Analysis-Key
Ratios
Costco Financial Summary
($ in millions)
2008
2009
2010
2011
ROA
6.2%
4.9%
5.5%
5.5%
ROE
14.0%
10.8%
12.0%
12.2%
FCF
$1,070
$1,773
$2,206
$2,092
EPS
$2.89
$2.47
$2.92
$3.30
Div/share
$0.61
$0.68
$0.77
$0.89
Yield
0.9%
1.3%
1.4%
1.1%
23.2
20.6
19.3
23.8
8%
-4%
7%
10%
PIE ratio
Store sales
growth
Recommendation &
Conclusion
Accept food stamps
Acquire BJs Wholesale Club
Keep expanding overseas
Be more ethical
Continue to add services
Industry Leader strategy
Better promotions
Improve e-commerce
A little good PR better than no PR