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Answer the questions based on Costco Wholesale Case Study.
1: The first element in the mission statement is providing highest quality goods and services which reflect in the percentage of established brand products the company sell. As per the case, company sell 85% branded products along with 15% private brands. The company’s second element in its mission statement is to provide goods and services at lowest price which it is doing very efficiently. The mark up at 14 per cent is normally the highest the company goes in comparison to 20- to 50- per cent at other discounters. However, it cannot be appreciated on investors’ front as low cost is killing the revenue for the company. The exceptionally low cost of the products leads to low net income after tax. The pay scale of employees at Costco is appreciable. Most of the company’s strategy conforms to the elements mentioned in its mission statement.
2: Costco operates on membership-only warehouse club business model. The consumers who are interested to shop at Costco, pays a membership fee to access the low cost products at the store. The people are not the member of in the store can visit the store with those who are members but only the members of the stores are allowed to make the purchase. The people are not yet the members of the Costco store can use Costco Cash Cards to shop at company’s store. The business model of Costco has allowed it to follow its mission without fail. The business model of Costco has helped the whole business align with the mission statement of the company.
3: If the total number of membership is taken into consideration, then it can be stated that the company has grown faster in a decade beginning 2000. The gold star members have shown growth of more than 200% in ten years and the businesses have grown by more than 50%. Such growth shows that the company is moving successfully ahead and its strategies are working appreciably. The five year statement shows the company grew with flying colours in all the places from United States to Canada to other international operations.
4: The philosophy and values of the company is that it needs to improve the customer experience and shareholders value without pressing any toes. Based on the assessment of the case and the related financial statements, it can be stated that the company is standing well on its philosophy and values. It is trying to provide products to its customers at competitive prices and also involves in corporate social activities thus bringing something of value to the society. Moreover, the continuously increasing loyal customers are a witness that the company is doing what it strategized to help its customers. It has built good relationship with the businesses and customers that seems to go ahead for long crushing the competition.