Too little, too late?
Forbes ranked Costco #3 in the nation for treating their employees well. Well-treated employees create a well-run company that in turn treats their customers well. Return customers are the key to retail success. Great combination that is tough to beat.
Sam’s Club will have to change a LOT of things to compete successfully with Costco.
“Sam’s Club will have to change a LOT of things to compete successfully with Costco.”
indeed. how about starting with self-checkout lanes that take cash and cash register display pads that show change due, both of which are 100% lacking at our local Sam’s, and yet are available at every other grocery store in town ...
not to mention a dearth of open staffed checkout lanes, and a bunch of checkout “supervisors” that stand around and gossip with each other and give you dirty looks if you ask them to open another lane or ask them to assist the checkout clerks when the run out of one dollar bills ...
I love Costco. I drive about 7 miles every weekend to get to it. There is a Sam's about a mile or less from my house that I pass on the way to Costco. I still keep my Sam's membership in case I need something in a hurry, but I far prefer Costco, from the product selection to the speed of the checkouts. Even when the lines are long at Costco, the checkout people race through the orders. Sam's takes forever. Because I get a rebate for my purchases at Costco, my Executive membership is practically free, because the rebate amount usually equals the membership fee.
The Sam's near me has recently done a lot of remodeling/shuffling of things to make the store appear more Costco-like. It is an improvement, but they're no Costco.
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Biggest gripe I have with Sam’s stores is that their staff in general are not terribly bright.
I’ve never run into that problem at Costco.
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We have business memberships and use Sams and Costco heavily. They both have their place with our standing weekly business orders at Sams. They’ve just added a fantastic meat counter so you don’t have to buy steaks or fish in bulk. A buddy that has a BBQ restaurant buys his prime grade brisket from them. Their produce is better than Costco. I’m more likely to do personal shopping at Costco. I love Costco dress shirts as my everyday uniform and at <$20 I’m not too concerned if they get damaged. Costcos electronics policy (and returns in general) and warranty is awesome.