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In Part One of this Deep Dive, we provide an overview … · •The 40-year-old global warehouse...

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1 | V The 40-year-old global warehouse club sector is estimated to generate approximately $191 billion in revenues in 2017. The clubs’ business model seeks to limit gross profits so as to offer low prices to members while generating profits for shareholders through reasonable membership fees. The majority of the clubs are located in the US, which accounted for nearly three-quarters of sector revenues in 2016. The market is dominated by three companies: BJ’s Wholesale Club, Costco Wholesale and Sam’s Club (a division of Walmart). The US warehouse club sector grew at a 7.2% CAGR from 2001 through 2016. Its growth rate outpaced that of the total US retail industry by 3.3 percentage points over the period. The international market grew at an even brisker 10.8% CAGR. Yet the sector’s growth rate slowed over the same period, actually hitting zero in 2015. And researchers are forecasting that the US segment will grow at a 2.4% CAGR, more than 1.5 points lower than overall retail, from 2016 through 2020. The spoiler behind the sector’s decelerating growth rate has likely been e-commerce, which the clubs have been slow to embrace. Warehouse clubs currently generate 4% or less of their revenues from e-commerce. As is the case with many other retailers, warehouse clubs need to develop a strategy to compete with e-commerce players, as well as leverage their unique strengths to adapt to other demographic and technological changes. In Part One of this Deep Dive, we provide an overview of the warehouse-club sector. May 29, 2017
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• The40-year-oldglobalwarehouseclubsectorisestimatedtogenerateapproximately$191billioninrevenuesin2017.

• Theclubs’businessmodelseekstolimitgrossprofitssoastoofferlowpricestomemberswhilegeneratingprofitsforshareholdersthroughreasonablemembershipfees.

• ThemajorityoftheclubsarelocatedintheUS,whichaccountedfornearlythree-quartersofsectorrevenuesin2016.Themarketisdominatedbythreecompanies:BJ’sWholesaleClub,CostcoWholesaleandSam’sClub(adivisionofWalmart).

• TheUSwarehouseclubsectorgrewata7.2%CAGRfrom2001through2016.ItsgrowthrateoutpacedthatofthetotalUSretailindustryby3.3percentagepointsovertheperiod.Theinternationalmarketgrewatanevenbrisker10.8%CAGR.

• Yetthesector’sgrowthrateslowedoverthesameperiod,actuallyhittingzeroin2015.AndresearchersareforecastingthattheUSsegmentwillgrowata2.4%CAGR,morethan1.5pointslowerthanoverallretail,from2016through2020.

• Thespoilerbehindthesector’sdeceleratinggrowthratehaslikelybeene-commerce,whichtheclubshavebeenslowtoembrace.Warehouseclubscurrentlygenerate4%orlessoftheirrevenuesfrome-commerce.

• Asisthecasewithmanyotherretailers,warehouseclubsneedtodevelopastrategytocompetewithe-commerceplayers,aswellasleveragetheiruniquestrengthstoadapttootherdemographicandtechnologicalchanges.

InPartOneofthisDeepDive,weprovideanoverviewofthewarehouse-clubsector.

May 29, 2017

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AboutThisDeepDive...........................................................................................................................3ExecutiveSummary..............................................................................................................................4WarehouseClubCompaniesataGlance...............................................................................................6SectorOverview...................................................................................................................................7HistoricallyStrongGrowthandOutperformance..................................................................................7SectorInflectionPointin2015............................................................................................................10WarehouseClubCharacteristics.........................................................................................................11Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...26

Table of Contents

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AboutThisDeepDiveFungGlobalRetail&TechnologyispublishingitsDeepDive:WarehouseClubStores—TimetoTaketheTreasureHuntOnlineinthreeinstallments.

TheExecutiveSummaryoutlinesthespectacularriseofthesectoroverits40-yearhistory.Fromhumblebeginnings,warehouseclubshavegrownintobelovedshoppingdestinationsfortheirmembers,whoenjoylowpricesaswellasthechancetobesurprisedanddelightedastheygoonatreasurehuntthroughthestores.Yettheindustryisatacrossroads,characterizedbyslowinggrowth,demographicchanges,andthechallengespresentedbytheconvenienceandappealofe-commerce.

Part One Overview: Sector Overview PartOneofthereportdiscussesthehistoricalstronggrowthandperformanceofthewarehouseclubsector,itsheavyconcentrationintheUSandthetopthreecompaniesinthespace.Theanalysisrevealsthatthesectorhitaninflectionpointin2015andhasexperiencedaslowinggrowthtrendinrecentyearsthatmarketresearchersexpecttocontinuethrough2020.

Thewarehouseclubsectorfeaturesauniquebusinessmodel,wheremembershipfeesaretheprimarycontributortoprofitsandlargevolumesoffsetultraslimmargins.Whilethemajorityofwarehouseclubmembersareindividualconsumers,smallbusinessesarealsoanimportantcomponentofmembership.Warehouseclubs’growthhasexceededthatofdepartmentstoresandgrocerystores.E-commerce,however,accountsforasmallerpercentageofsalesinthesectorthanitdoesforotherretailsectorsandtheUSretailindustryoverall.ThesectorisledbyCostco,thelargestclubbyrevenue.PartOneconcludeswithananalysisofwarehouseclubsbyregion.

Part Two Overview: Warehouse Club Advantages and Challenges PartTwoofthereportexaminestheadvantagesandchallengeswarehouseclubsface.Theclubsbenefitfromeconomiesofscaleandtheirbroadproductmixes,whichattractshoppers.Theyprovidesignificantvaluepricingtotheircustomers,atreasurehuntshoppingexperiencethatoffersunexpectedsurprisesandbargains,andafocusonorganicproducts.RetailerssuchasCostcoarelocatedintheprosperoustopthirdoftheWeinswigRetailHourglass,amodelthatillustrateshowcompaniesoperatinginthemidmarketgetsqueezed.

Challengesthewarehouseclubsfaceincludeshiftingshopperpreferencesduetogenerationalanddemographicchanges,thesteadyencroachmentofe-commerce,andAmazon’sentryintomultipleareasofcommerce.

Part Three Preview: 10 Topics for Retail, Company Profiles and International Overview PartThreediscusses10topicsaffectingthewarehouseclubsectorandretailingeneral:thechanginggroceryshopper,e-commerce,mobilecommerce,roboticsinretail,privatelabels,thesourcingrevolution,ancillaryproductsandservices,USmarketsaturation,internationalexpansion,andthebriefindependenceofJet.com.

PartThreeconcludeswithprofilesofthetopthreeUSwarehouseclubsandananalysisoftheattractivenessofselectedglobalmarkets.

TheFungGlobalRetail&TechnologyteamhopesthatyouwillfindthisDeepDiveinterestingandinformative!

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Warehouseclubstoreshavehadagreatruninthe40yearssince1976,whenSolPricefoundedthefirstPriceClub,whichultimatelybecametoday’sCostco.Theclubswereinitiallyopenonlytobusinesscustomers,butlaterallowedemployeesofnonprofitandgovernmentorganizationstojoin,andeventuallyopenedtothepublic.Theclubshadauniquebusinessmodel—limitingprofitabilitysoastopassthesavingsontocustomersandmakingthebulkoftheirprofitsfrommembershipfees.Customerslovetheclubs’lowprices,theabilitytobuyinenormousquantitiesandthedelightoffindingunexpectedbargainsintreasurehuntsthroughoutthestores.Therearenotmanystoresinwhichcustomerscanpurchasea20lb.packageofsteaks,aflat-panelTVandadiamondengagementringallinonetrip.

Thewarehouseclubshavesuccessfullyleveragedpostwardemographics,generallysituatingthemselvesinsuburbanareaswithhighmedianincomesandmanysmallbusinessestoserve,offeringconsumersinthoseareastheconveniencetheyneed.Whileshoppersinsuchareastendtobeaffluent,everybodylovesabargain,somanywell-offconsumersshopthewarehouseclubsalongwiththeirmoreprice-consciousneighbors.

Executive Summary

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Theclubs’popularityhasshownupintheirfinancials.From2001through2016,USwarehouseclubrevenuesgrewataCAGRof6.2%,outpacingthe3.0%annualgrowthrateoftheoverallretailindustrybymorethanthreepercentagepoints.Thesector’sgrowthoutsidetheUSwasevenmorebriskoverthesameperiod,averaging10.8%.Profitabilitydidnotsuffer,either.Despitetheclubs’vowtolimitgrossmarginsinordertoofferattractiveprices,thetopthreeUSwarehouseclubsgenerallyhaveseenoperatingmarginsofaround2%–4%.

Despitethisprosperity,growthhasslowedoverthepast15years,andglobalgrowthgroundtonearzeroin2015,makingitaninflectionpoint.Now,theUSsegmentisforecasttogrowannuallyatabout2.4%,lessthanhalfapointhigherthanthetotalretailindustry.Theslowdowncanbeattributedtochangesindemographicsandthewayspeopleshopand,ofcourse,tothesteadygrowthandencroachmentofe-commerce.In2016,e-commerceaccountedfor8.1%ofUSretailandgrewby15.1%yearoveryear.

Whatshouldthewarehouseclubsdotorecapturetheirpreviousappealtoconsumersandreignitethegrowthratesofyearspast?Clearly,e-commerceispartoftheanswer.Amongthemajorwarehouseclubs,e-commerce’sshareofsalesislikelyhighestatCostco,wherethechannelaccountsfor4%ofrevenues.Oneshort-livedbutinterestingplayerinthee-commercefieldwasJet.com,whichWalmartacquiredin2016.Jetattemptedtocombinethelowpricesofwarehouseclubswiththeconvenienceandeaseofe-commerceandm-commerce.Thecompanyalsoimplementedsomeinnovativewaystoreduceshippingcosts.

Thewarehouseclubsneedtoleveragetheiruniquestrengths,whichincludeprovidinghigh-qualitygoodsatlowpricesandprovidingcustomerswithatreasurehuntexperience,aswellasofferingstrongprivate-labelbrands.Costco’sKirklandSignatureprivatelabelaccountsforaboutone-quarterofthecompany’ssales,makingita$30billionbrand.KirklandSignatureproductsareavailableonAmazon.comandJet.com,andthelabelisarguablyamajorinternationalbrandinitsownright.

WarehouseclubsalsoneedtoadapttothechangingdemographicpatternsofAmericansuburbanlife.Membersofyoungergenerationsareincreasinglylivingincitiesratherthaninsuburbs.Inurbanareas,livingspaceandstorageareatapremium,andmanyurbandwellersdonotownavehiclethattheycandrivetoawarehouseclubandfillwithlarge,bulkypurchases.Tomeettheseconsumers’needs,warehouseclubsshouldexploreofferingmoreoftheirgoodsinsmallerquantitiesonlineandalsoexploredeliverymethodsthate-commercecompaniesareusing,suchasclick-and-collectandexpeditedshipping.

Inthisdeep-divereport,weofferanoverviewofthewarehouseclubsector,analyzethekeyfactorsthatareinfluencingthesectorandprofilethemajorplayers,aswellasprovidesuggestionsonwhatwarehouseclubscandotorecapturethestronggrowththeysawinpreviousperiods.

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Warehouse Club Companies at a Glance

Figure1.SelectedMetricsfortheBigThreeUSWarehouseClubs,2016

Category BJ’s1 Costco2 Sam’sClub3Financial NetRevenues(USDBil.) $15.0 $119.6 $57.4YoY%Change 4.0% 2.5% 0.9%

E-Commerce’sShareofRevenues(LastFY) N/A 4.0% 2.8%*MembershipFeeIncome(USDMil.) $270 $2,683 $1,348

GrossMargin 16.5% 13.8% 16.0%

OperatingProfit(USDMil.) $294 $4,211 $1,671OperatingMargin 2.0% 3.5% 2.9%

Membership NumberofMembers(Mil.) 11.1 87.6 60.3PercentBusiness 25% 55% 20%

PercentConsumer 75% 45% 80%Avg.AnnualHouseholdIncome(USD) $59,600 $74,000 $45,000+

MembershipFee—Basic/Premium(USD) $50/$100 $55/$1104 $45/$100Avg. Annual Membership Fee Revenue perMember(USD)5

$25 $32 $23

Stores NumberofClubs—USandPuertoRico 219 506 659NumberofClubs—International — 219 2016

NumberofClubs—Total 219 725 860TotalStoreArea(Mil.Sq.Ft.) 24 104 88

AverageStoreSize(Thous.Sq.Ft.) 107 144 132

Products NumberofSKUs 7,000 4,000 6,000

NumberofPrivate-LabelSKUs 500 550 500

NumberofPrivate-LabelBrands 8 3 11

Other Avg.SalesperClub(USDMil.) $70 $168 $87

Avg.SalesperSq.Ft. $637 $1,168 $659Avg.SalesperEmployee(USDThous.) $571 $554 $497

Avg.SalesperMember(USD) $1,362 $1,405 $970*ForparentcompanyWalmartSource:Companyreports/eMarketer/USCensusBureau/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

1BJ’swasacquiredbyseveralprivateequityfirmsonSeptember30,2011.Thecompany’slastpublicfilingwasforthefiscalyearendedJanuary2011;allsubsequentfiguresareestimates.2FiguresforCostcointhisreportarecalendarized(Costco’sfiscalyearendsAugust31),unlessotherwisenoted.3FiguresforSam’sClubconsiderthefiscalyearashavingendedinDecemberoftheprioryear.4Costcoannouncedthat,effectiveJune1,2017,themembershipfeeforallUSandCanadaGoldStar(individual),BusinessandBusinessadd-onmemberswillriseto$60,andthatmembershipfeesforExecutivemembersintheUSandCanadawillriseto$120.5Averagefeerevenueisbelowthemembershipfeeduetofreememberships(e.g.,Costcoprovidesafreehouseholdcardwithallpaidmemberships).6Sam’sClub’sinternationalstoresarereportedunderWalmart’sInternationalsegment.

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HistoricallyStrongGrowthandOutperformanceTotalrevenuesforglobalwarehouseclubsareestimatedtohitarecord$191billionin2017,accordingtoEuromonitorInternational.ThesectorpostedanexceptionalCAGRof7.2%intheUSoverthe15-yearperiodfrom2001through2016,andEuromonitorpredictsthattheglobalsectorwillgrowata4.1%ratefrom2016through2020.

Figure2.GlobalWarehouseClubSectorRevenues(USDBil.)

Source:EuromonitorInternational/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

$0

$50

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01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17E18E19E20E

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ThewarehouseclubmarketislargelyaUS-centricphenomenon.TheUSrepresented73%oftheglobalmarketin2016,butEuromonitorexpectsthecountry’ssharetodecreaseto68%by2020.

Figure3.ShareofGlobalWarehouseClubRevenues,byGeography

Source:EuromonitorInternational/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

Costcoisthelargestinternationalwarehousecluboperator,withstoresinAustralia,Canada,Japan,Mexico,SouthKorea,Spain,Taiwan,theUKandtheUS.Sam’sCluboperateswarehousesinBrazil,ChinaandMexicoaswellastheUS.

Apartfromthe“bigthree”USclubs(BJ’s,CostcoandSam’sClub),therearejustahandfulofotherplayersinthesector.Cost-U-Lessoperates13storesintheCaribbeanandSouthPacific.MakroCash&CarryBelgiumisacash-and-carryretaileroperatedbyGermany’sMetroGroup.Finally,PriceSmartisthelargestoperatorofmembershipwarehouseclubsinCentralAmericaandtheCaribbean.

ThepredictedchangeinsharewithinagrowingmarketmeansthatthewarehouseclubsectorisgrowingfasterinothergeographiesthanitisintheUS.Euromonitorpredictsthattheglobalmarketwillgrowata4.1%CAGRthrough2020andtheUSmarketata2.4%CAGR.

Figure4.Est.WarehouseClubMarketGrowth,byGeography,2016–2020E(CAGR)

Source:EuromonitorInternational/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

74% 73% 72% 70% 69% 68%

8% 8% 8% 8% 9% 9%

2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2%

16% 17% 18% 20% 20% 21%

15 16 17E 18E 19E 20E

US Brazil Mexico Other

10.8%

8.4% 8.0%

6.3% 6.1%

4.1%

2.4%

0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

China Other Brazil Mexico UK World US

ThewarehouseclubmarketislargelyaUS-centricphenomenon.TheUSrepresented73%oftheglobalmarketin2016,butEuromonitorexpectsthecountry’ssharetodecreaseto68%by2020.

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IntheUS,thesectorisdominatedbyCostco,whichrepresentsabout65%ofthemarketandgeneratesmorethantwicetherevenueofitsnearestcompetitor,Sam’sClub.

Figure5.BigThreeWarehouseClubs:EstimatedRevenue(LeftAxis,USDBil.)andMarketShare(RightAxis,%),2016

FiguresareinUSdollars,convertedbasedonyear-over-yearexchangerates.Source:EuromonitorInternational/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

Inaddition,thesectorhasremainednicelyprofitable,withthebigthreeUSplayerspostingsolidandgrowingprofitsinrecentyears.

Figure6.BigThreeWarehouseClubs:AnnualOperatingIncome(USDBil.)

Source:Companyreports/Bloomberg/NationalRetailFederation(NRF)/KantarWorldpanel/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

$4.9$5.2

$5.5 $5.7$6.2

$0

$1

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$3

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12 13 14 15 16

Costco SamʼsClub BJʼs

$119.6

$57.4

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30%

8%

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Costco SamʼsClub BJʼs

IntheUS,thesectorisdominatedbyCostco,whichrepresentsabout65%ofthemarketandgeneratesmorethantwicetherevenueofitsnearestcompetitor,Sam’sClub.

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SectorInflectionPointin2015Thewarehouseclubsectorhasenjoyedmanyyearsofstronggrowth,anditappearstohavemanymoreyearsofgrowthaheadofit.Butasthegraphbelowshows,sectorrevenuegrowthwas4.0%in2016.

Figure7.GlobalWarehouseClubRevenues(USDBil.)

Source:EuromonitorInternational/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

Thefigurebelowshowsthatwarehouseclubsectorgrowthslowedoverthe2002–2015period,evenhittingnear-zerogrowthin2015.

Figure8.GlobalWarehouseClubSectorGrowthRate

Source:EuromonitorInternational/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

$0

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01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 1617E18E19E20E

2001–2016CAGR:7.2%

2016–2020ECAGR:4.1%

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02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17E18E19E20E

World US

Trend

Thewarehouseclubsectorgrowthslowedoverthe2002–2015period,evenhittingnear-zerogrowthin2015.

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WarehouseClubCharacteristics

BusinessModelWarehouseclubssellpaidmembershipstoconsumersandsmallbusinesscustomersthatprovideaccesstoawideselectionofgoods,ofteninbulk,atdiscountedpricesinlarge-storeformats.Groceryproductsareamajordriveroffoottraffic,butshopperscanpurchaseeverythingfromappareltoappliancestoseasonalgoodstoeyeglassesatwarehouseclubs.Attheheartofthewarehouseclubbusinessmodelaremembershipsandeconomiesofscale.Theclubs’largemembershipbasesenablethemtopurchaseitemsfromsuppliersinlargevolumesatlowcost,which,inturn,helpsthemattractmoremembers.Clubscanpriceproductswithjustenoughmarkuptocovercostsandoperatingexpensesand,insomecases,asliverextratocontributetothebottomline.

Attheirinception,warehouseclubssolditemsgearedtowardsmallbusinessowners,generallythemoreaffluentdemographicinaregion.Asthebusinessmodelevolved,theclubsaddedgreat-qualitymerchandiseatbargainpricesfornonbusinessuse,andthetreasurehuntaspectofshoppingintheclubs,whichdelightsconsumers,gainedtractionandbecameintegraltotheclubs’operations.Today,generalconsumersrepresentagreaterportionoftheclubs’membershipbasethanbusinessownersdo.

Thewarehouseclubsectorhasenjoyedresilientgrowththroughmosteconomiccycles,offeringvaluepricingonbrand-namestaplesanddiscretionary“luxuries”whentheeconomystalls,aswellashigh-enditemsthatappealtoshoppersinarobusteconomy.OnarecenttriptowarehousestoresinConnecticut,ourteamfounditemsavailablefromavarietyofwell-knownbrands,includingBosesoundsystems,AppleiPadsandiPhones,Charismasheets,Dockerskhakis,SpeedoswimsuitsandFitbitactivitytrackers.WhileCostcohadluxuriousdiamondringsforsaleat$16,999,Sam’sClubofferedanaspirationalhandbagcollectionfeaturingCoach,KateSpade,MichaelKorsandToryBurch.Inadditiontowell-pricednationalbrands,warehouseclubsareincreasinglyofferingprivate-labelitemsandancillaryservicesthatrangefromgasstationstopharmacies.

BJ’s,Costco,Sam’sClub—theBigThreeTheUS,whichcomprisesthemajorityoftheglobalwarehouseclubmarket,ishometothreemainwarehouseclubcompanies,knownasthebigthree:BJ’s,CostcoandSam’sClub(adivisionofWalmart).

Figure9.BigThreeWarehouseClubs:Revenues,2016(USDBil.)

Source:Companyreports/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

$119.6

$57.4

$15.0

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Costco SamʼsClub BJʼs

Warehouseclubssellpaidmembershipstoconsumersandsmallbusinesscustomersthatprovideaccesstoawideselectionofgoods,ofteninbulk,atdiscountedpricesinlarge-storeformats.

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MembershipFeesAretheMainProfitDriverWhilesalespermemberdriverevenueatwarehouseclubs,membershipfeesarewhatexpandprofits.Overtime,membershiprevenueexceedsnetincomeandaccountsforasubstantialportionofpretaxoperatingprofits.Weestimatethattotalmembershipfeescontributed70%ofthebigthree’soperatingincomein2016.

Figure10.BigThreeWarehouseClubs:OperatingIncomeBreakdown,2016(USDMil.)

Source:Companyreports/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

AtCostco,membershipfeesexceedednetincomeeveryfiscalyearfrom2004through2016,andfellwithinarangeof69%–86%ofoperatingincome,averaging75%duringtheperiod.Giventheimportanceofmembershipfees,attractingandretainingmembersisapriorityforthecompany.Infiscal2016,Costco’srenewalratewas90%intheUSandCanadaand88%worldwide.

Costcorunsonleanoperatingmarginstoensuremembersavings,andleadsthesectorinsalespermember.Thecompanygenerated45%highersalespermemberthanSam’sClubdidin2016.Costcoalsomaintainsalargeandgrowingmembershipbasethatdrivesprofits.

Figure11.BigThreeWarehouseClubs:MerchandiseRevenueperMember(LeftAxis)andMembershipFeeRevenueperMember(RightAxis),2016

Source:Companyreports/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

$2,683

$1,345$270

$1,528

$326

$24

$4,211

$1,671

$294

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MembershipFees OtherOperasngIncome

$1,405

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$1,362$32

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Whilesalespermemberdriverevenueatwarehouseclubs,membershipfeesarewhatexpandprofits.Overtime,membershiprevenueexceedsnetincomeandaccountsforasubstantialportionofpretaxoperatingprofits.

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Infiscalyear2016,Costcohadthehighestmembershipofthebigthreewarehouseclubsandonlyabout11%ofitsmembershadexplicitbusinessaccounts.

Figure12.BigThreeWarehouseClubs:MemberComposition,FY16(Mil.)

BJ’sandSam’sClubfiguresareestimates.Source:Companyreports/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

Inrecentyears,CostcoandWalmart(servinghereasaproxyforSam’sClub)bothsawflattishgrowthinthepercentageoftheirrevenuesderivingfrome-commerce.E-commerceaccountsforalowershareofbothcompanies’salesthanitdoesfortheoverallUSretailindustry:in2016,e-commerceaccountedfor8.1%ofallretailsalesintheUS,andgrewby15.1%yearoveryear.

Figure13.CostcoandWalmart:E-Commerce’sShareofSales

Source:Companyreports/InternetRetailer/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

36.8

10.8

39.1

10.9

86.7

50.7

0

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Costco-GoldStar Costco-Business

Costco-HouseholdMembers Members

3.0% 3.0% 3.0%

4.0%

1.7%

2.1%

2.5%2.8%

0.0%

0.5%

1.0%

1.5%

2.0%

2.5%

3.0%

3.5%

4.0%

4.5%

FY13 FY14 FY15 FY16

Costco Walmart

Infiscalyear2016,Costcohadthehighestmembershipofthebigthreewarehouseclubsandonlyabout11%ofitsmembershadexplicitbusinessaccounts.

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AlthoughthefigureaboveshowsthatCostcoleadsWalmartintermsofe-commercerevenueasapercentageofsales,thefigurebelowshowsthatWalmartleadssubstantiallyintermsofe-commercerevenueindollarterms.WalmartcompleteditsacquisitionofonlineretailerJet.comonSeptember20,2016,andarecentarticlepublishedontechnewswebsiteRecodeestimatedJet’sannualrevenueatabout$500million.

Figure14.CostcoandWalmart:OnlineSalesTotals(USDBil.)

Source:Companyreports/InternetRetailer/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

MembershipCompositionIsKeyMacroeconomicfactors,includingdisposableincome,employmentandconsumersentiment,affectwarehouseclubmembershipgrowth.Currently,economicconditionsintheUSfavorthesector.Unemploymentcontinuestodeclineandconsumersentimenthasincreased.Locatingstoresingeographicareaslikelytoenjoyeconomicgrowthandwithstanddownturnsisthekeyforincreasingandsustainingclubmembership.Costco’sUSlocationsareinstatesthataremoreaffluentthanitscompetitors’storesare,andBJ’shasclustersofstoresinaffluentstates.Thelocationsofthesestoreslikelybenefitthecompanies.

Themajorityofwarehouseclubmembersareconsumers,butsmallbusinessesarealsoanimportantcomponentofmembership.ThenumberofsmallbusinessesintheUSgrewby1.7%between2010and2014,anditislikelytoincreaseastheUSeconomygrows.Costcocommandsthelargestpercentageofbusinessmembersamong

$3.1 $3.3 $3.4

$4.6

$7.7

$10.0

$12.2

$13.7

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FY13 FY14 FY15 FY16Costco Walmart

Macroeconomicfactors,includingdisposableincome,employmentandconsumersentiment,affectwarehouseclubmembershipgrowth.Currently,economicconditionsintheUSfavorthesector.

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thebigthreewarehouseclubs.Inastrongeconomy,thisisanadvantage,butfallingdemandfromsmallbusinesscustomersinaweakeconomycouldslowthechain’sgrowth.

Figure15.US:SmallBusinessData

2010 2012 2014NumberofSmallBusinesses 5,717,302 5,707,941 5,806,382

%Change — (0.2)% 1.7%

EmploymentbySmallBusinesses 54,996,680 56,062,893 57,894,592

%Change — 1.9% 3.3%2014datawerereleasedonSeptember29,2016.Source:USCensusBureau

SectorPerformanceTheUScontinuestodominatethewarehouseclubsector,asitistheonlyinternationalmarketwithasubstantialnumberofmajorclubchains.TheUSisalsotheonlymajoreconomywhosestatisticsofficeroutinelyreportssectordataforwarehouseclubs.Thesesectordataarebundledwithdataonpredominantlynonfoodsupercenters,suchasthoseoperatedbyWalmart.Inthissection,weexaminefiguresforboththewarehouseclubsectorandthewarehouseclubandsupercentersectorscombined.CostcohasledthegainsintheUSsector.Infiveyears,thecompanygainedmorethantwopercentagepointsofshareofthebroader,combinedwarehouseclubandsupercentersector.

Figure16.BigThreeWarehouseClubs:ShareofWarehouseClubandSupercenterSales

Source:Companyreports/USCensusBureau/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

3.1% 3.1% 3.1% 3.2% 3.3% 3.4%

17.2%18.0% 18.2%

18.9% 19.3% 19.7%

13.9% 13.9% 13.6% 13.4% 12.9%13.0%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

BJʼs Costco(US) SamʼsClub

TheUScontinuestodominatethewarehouseclubsector,asitistheonlyinternationalmarketwithasubstantialnumberofmajorclubchains.

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TheWarehouseClubSectorHasEnjoyedRobustGrowthInthefaceofcompetitionfromdiscountchannels,Internetpureplaysandspecialists,somenonspecializedretailsectorsarefaltering.Warehouseclubs,though,remainstrong,evencomparedwithrivalgroceryanddepartmentstores.

Figure17.US:SectorSalesforWarehouseClubsandSupercenters,DepartmentStores,andGroceryStores(USDBil.)

Source:Companyreports/USCensusBureau/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

BasedonUSCensusBureaudata,grocerywasthefastest-growingsectorofthethreein2016,withsalesincreasingby2.3%,followedbywarehouseclubsandsupercenters,whichgrewby0.6%.Thedepartmentstoresectordeclinedfortheeleventhconsecutiveyearin2016,shrinkingby3.1%.

$0

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99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

WarehouseClubsandSupercenters

DepartmentStores

GroceryStores

Inthefaceofcompetitionfromdiscountchannels,Internetpureplaysandspecialists,somenonspecializedretailsectorsarefaltering

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Thefigurebelowbreaksdownthebigthreewarehouseclubs’combinedrevenueintermsofdomesticandinternationalsales.Salesinbothmarketsegmentsgrewfrom2012through2016.

Figure18.BigThreeWarehouseClubs:CombinedAnnualSales(USDBil.)

Source:Companyreports/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

Revenuegrowthforthebigthreewarehouseclubswasmuchlowerin2015thanintheimmediatelyprecedingyears,andinternationalgrowthuncharacteristicallylaggedthatoftheUSin2015,largelyowingtodeclinesinBrazilandMexico.

Figure19.BigThreeWarehouseClubs:TotalSalesGrowth

Source:Companyreports/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

$142.0 $146.4 $153.8 $156.3 $159.6

$28.1$30.2 $32.6 $31.5 $32.4$170.1 $176.6

$186.3 $187.8$191.9

$0

$20

$40

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$120

$140

$160

$180

$200

12 13 14 15 16

US Internasonal

7.5%

3.1%

5.0%

1.6% 2.1%

13.5%

7.2%7.9%

(3.1)%

2.6%

(4)%

(2)%

0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

14%

16%

12 13 14 15 16

US Internasonal

Revenuegrowthforthebigthreewarehouseclubswasmuchlowerin2015thanintheimmediatelyprecedingyears,andinternationalgrowthuncharacteristicallylaggedthatoftheUSin2015,largelyowingtodeclinesinBrazilandMexico.

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WarehouseClubGrowthExceedsSupercenterGrowth

HistoricalResultsFrom2012through2016,USwarehouseclubrevenuesgrewata3.0%CAGR,whilerevenuesforsupercentersgrewmoreslowly,ata1.7%CAGR,weestimate,basedonUSCensusBureaudata.

Figure20.USWarehouseClubsandSupercenters:Revenues(USDBil.)andCAGR

Source:Companyreports/USCensusBureau/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

IntermsofpercentageoftotalUSretailsales(excludinggasolineandautoparts),thewarehouseclubandsupercentercombinedsectorremainedflatfrom2012through2016,whereasthebigthreewarehouseclubsgainedjust0.2percentagepointsofshare.

Figure21.US:SectorSalesasaPercentageofTotalUSRetailSales

Source:Companyreports/USCensusBureau/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

$142.0 $146.4 $153.8 $156.3 $159.6

$264.3 $272.9 $279.5 $283.9 $283.1

$406.3 $419.3 $433.3 $440.2 $442.7

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12 13 14 15 16

USWarehouseClubs Supercenters

CAGR

3.0%

1.7%

3.0%

11.9% 12.0% 12.0% 12.2% 11.9%

4.1% 4.2% 4.2% 4.3% 4.3%

0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

14%

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

WarehouseClubsandSupercenters BigThreeWarehouseClubs

From2012through2016,USwarehouseclubrevenuesgrewata3.0%CAGR,whilerevenuesforsupercentersgrewmoreslowly,ata1.7%CAGR.

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RecentResultsDuringthe2016calendaryear,Costcopostedrevenuesof$119.6billion,up2.5%yearoveryear.Comparablestoresalesfortheyearexcludinggasolineincreasedby2.8%.Consensusestimatescallforrevenuesof$126.7billioninfiscalyear2017,up6.7%,andforEPSof$5.91,up10.9%.

Initsfiscalsecondquarterof2017,Costcoreportedatotalcompincreaseof3%,comprisinga3%increaseintheUS,an8%increaseinCanadaanda2%decreaseinotherinternationalregions.

Infiscal2017,Costcoplanstoopeneightnewwarehouses,fiveintheUSandthreeinCanada.

InMarch2015,CostcoannouncedthatVisawouldreplaceAmericanExpressasthecompanyofferingitsrewardscreditcardbeginningApril1,2016,puttinganendtoa16-yearbusinessrelationship.ThistransitionnegativelyimpactedCostco’sfiscalfirst-quarter2016earningsby$15million,or$0.02ashare.Bytheendoffiscal2016,nearly85%of11.4millionAmericanExpresscardshadbeentransferredandactivated,and730,000newmembershadactivatedtheircards;thesefigureswereaheadofthecompany’sinternalexpectations.

Infiscal2017,Sam’sClubreportedrevenuesof$57.4billion,up0.9%yearoveryear.Intheyear,comparablestoresalesincreasedby0.2%includingfuelandincreasedby1.1%excludingfuel.Forthefourthquarteroffiscal2017,Sam’sClubreportedcompsalesgrowth(excludingfuel)of2.4%.Includingfuel,compsincreasedby3.1%.

InOctober2016,anSECfilingdisclosedthatWalmarthadincreaseditsstakeinChinesee-commercecompanyJD.comaftersellingitsstakeintheYihaodianonlinemarketplacetoJD.cominJune.Initsfiscalthird-quarter2017earningscall,WalmartannouncedthatitsSam’sClubflagshipstorehadlaunchedonJD.com’swebsite,offeringhundredsofmillionsofcustomersaccesstoSam’sClub’sproductswithsame-dayandnext-daydeliveryservice.

InMarch2015,CostcoannouncedthatVisawouldreplaceAmericanExpressasthecompanyofferingitsrewardscreditcardbeginningApril1,2016,puttinganendtoa16-yearbusinessrelationship.ThistransitionnegativelyimpactedCostco’sfiscalfirst-quarter2016earningsby$15million,or$0.02ashare

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TheCompetitiveLandscapeAsstatedearlier,thewarehouseclubsectorishighlyconcentrated.Thereareonlythreebigplayers,allofwhichareUS-centricandheadquarteredintheUS,whichaccountsformorethan70%ofsectorrevenue,andconcentrationislikelytoremainhighgiventhesubstantialcapitalneededfornewentrantsorotherrivalstobeabletocompetewiththesesectorleaders.Nonetheless,warehouseclubchainsfaceheavycompetitionfromeachotherandfromotherretailverticals,includingspecialtyhardline,drugstore,departmentstore,massmerchantandInternetretailers.

RevenuesandGrowth:CostcoLeadstheUSMarketCostcoistheleaderofthebigthreewarehouseclubsintermsoftotalsales,USsalesandsalesperstore.Itsscaleisdueinparttoitssubstantialinternationalpresence,buthigh-volume,low-marginandlimited-linetradingisthecompany’sformulaforsuccess.Thebigthreerecordedanestimatedtotalof$192billioninrevenuesin2016,up2.2%fromtheprioryear.Costcodrovethesector’sgrowthintheyear;thecompany’s$3.0billionofgrowthexceededanincreaseof$0.6billionatBJ’sandanincreaseof$0.5billionatSam’sClub.

AdropinSam’sClubrevenuein2015stemmedfromanear-30%declineinthecompany’sgasolinerevenue,whichdecreasedto$4.5billionfrom$6.4billionintheprioryear,primarilyduetolowerfuelprices.Sam’sClub’srevenuesexcludinggasincreasedby1.4%in2015.Thecompany’sretailsquarefootageincreasedby1.2%anditscomparablestoresaleswereflattish.

Compsweakenedduringthe2012–2015periodacrossthesector,reflectingtoughertradingasthesectormovedclosertomaturity,ifnotsaturation.

Figure22.CostcoandSam’sClub:ComparableStoreSales(YoY%Change)

Source:Companyreports/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

6.2%

4.1%

4.8%

(0.3)%

0.6%

3.8%

0.4% 0.5% 0.4%

0.2%

(1)%

0%

1%

2%

3%

4%

5%

6%

7%

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Costco SamʼsClub

Costcoistheleaderofthebigthreewarehouseclubsintermsoftotalsales,USsalesandsalesperstore.Itsscaleisdueinparttoitssubstantialinternationalpresence,buthigh-volume,low-marginandlimited-linetradingisthecompany’sformulaforsuccess.

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ThefigurebelowdisplaysUSstorerevenuesandnumberofUSstoresforthebigthreewarehouseclubs.

Figure23.BigThreeWarehouseClubs:USRevenue(LeftAxis,USDBil.)andNumberofUSStores(RightAxis),2016

Source:Companyreports/NRF/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

ThetablebelowlistsnetUSrevenuesforthebigthreewarehouseclubs.

Figure24.BigThreeWarehouseClubs:NetUSRevenues(USDBil.)

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

BJ’s $12.5 $13.0 $13.8 $14.4 $15.0

Costco $73.1 $76.3 $81.9 $85.0 $87.2

Sam’sClub $56.4 $57.2 $58.0 $56.8 $57.4

Total $142.0 $146.5 $153.7 $156.2 $159.6IncludesmembershipfeesforBJ’sandCostcoSource:Companyreports/NRF/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

Thetablebelowlistsnetrevenuegrowthforthebigthreewarehouseclubs.

Figure25.BigThreeWarehouseClubs:NetRevenues(YoY%Change)

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

BJ’s 5.7% 4.0% 6.5% 4.3% 4.0%

Costco 10.9% 5.2% 7.5% 1.8% 2.6%

Costco(USonly) 9.9% 4.4% 7.4% 3.8% 2.6%

Sam’sClub 4.9% 1.3% 1.5% (2.1)% 0.9%

TotalGlobal 8.4% 3.8% 5.5% 0.8% 2.1%IncludesmembershipfeesforBJ’sandCostcoSource:Companyreports/NRF/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

$15.0

$87.2

$57.4

219

506

659

0

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BJʼs Costco SamʼsClub

USRevenue USStores

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WarehouseClubsVersusOtherLargeGeneralMerchandisersWarehouseclubscompeteagainstspecialistssuchaselectronicsandtoyretailers,generalistssuchasWalmartandSears,andInternetpureplays.So,howdothetwobiggestUSwarehouseclubsmeasureupagainsttheirprimarycompetitorsintermsofsalesandgrowth?

• Inscale,CostcoandSam’sClubrivallargespecialistretailerssuchasKrogerandBestBuy,respectively.Bothclubsalsoarewellaheadofbig-namegeneralists,suchasKohl’s,SearsandDollarGeneral.

• Comparedwithmanybigstore-basedrivals,suchasWalmart,Target,BestBuyandSears,CostcoandSam’sClubhaveoutperformedintermsofrevenuegrowth.Costcogrewata5.5%CAGRfrom2011through2016andSam’sClubgrewata1.3%CAGRfrom2011through2016.

• Costco’sgrowthhasrivaledDollarGeneral’s,confirmingthatbothhavebenefitedfromthepolarizationinretailthathasmadediscountchannelsthechampionovermidmarketplayers.

Figure26.SelectedUSWarehouseClubsvs.SelectedUSRetailers:Revenues(USDBil.,2016)andRevenueCAGR(2011–2016)

Source:Companyreports/FactSet/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

$0

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(15)% (10)% (5)% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%

2016Reven

ue

RevenueCAGR2011–2016

SearsToys"R"Us

BestBuy

Kohlʼs

TargetSamʼsClub

WalmartUS

KrogerHomeDepot

CostcoAmazon

NorthAmerica

DollarGeneral

Warehouseclubscompeteagainstspecialistssuchaselectronicsandtoyretailers,generalistssuchasWalmartandSears,andInternetpureplays.

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LargeVolumeCompensatesforUltraslimMarginsWarehouseclubsareinherentlyalow-gross-marginformat:sectorprofitsaredrivenbyvolume,evenmoresothaninotherformsofmass-marketretail.Costcooperatesonespeciallyleangrossmargins,whichfeedthroughtoultraslimoperatingmarginsthatareaninherentpartofitsvalue-for-moneyproposition.Membershipfeescontributethebulkofprofits.Membershiprevenuesalonecontributed2.2%ofCostco’stotalrevenuesinfiscal2016.

Figure27.BigThreeWarehouseClubs:GrossMargin,2016

Source:Companyreports/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

Costco’sreportedandBJ’sestimatedoperatingmarginsgenerallyincreasedduringthe2012–2016period,butSam’sClub’smarginsdeclinedin2015and2016duetohighercostsfrominvestmentinpeople,payroll,technology,promotionsanddemoscombinedwithcostsforexpandedpaymentoptionsandrealestatecharges.

Figure28.BigThreeWarehouseClubs:OperatingMargins,2012–2016

Source:Companyreports/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

11.2%

16.0% 16.5%

Costco SamʼsClub BJʼs

2.8% 2.9% 2.9%3.1%

3.5%3.3% 3.2%

3.4%3.2%

2.9%

1.8% 1.8% 1.9% 1.9% 2.0%

0.0%

0.5%

1.0%

1.5%

2.0%

2.5%

3.0%

3.5%

4.0%

12 13 14 15 16

Costco SamʼsClub BJʼs

Warehouseclubsareinherentlyalow-gross-marginformat:sectorprofitsaredrivenbyvolume,evenmoresothaninotherformsofmass-marketretail.Costcooperatesonespeciallyleangrossmargins,whichfeedthroughtoultraslimoperatingmarginsthatareaninherentpartofitsvalue-for-moneyproposition.

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CostcoLeadsinSalesperStoreandStoreSizeSalesperstoreisoneofCostco’smostimpressivemetricsandhelpsexplainitsmarketleadership.Thecompany’saverageannualsalesperoutletarealmostdoublethoseofitsclosestcompetitor.Costcosaidthat165ofitsstoresgeneratedrevenuesexceeding$200millioneachinfiscalyear2014.Ofthose,twogeneratedrevenuesofmorethan$400millionthatyear.

TheaverageCostcostoreis7%largerthantheaverageSam’sClub,andmuchlargerthantheaverageBJ’s(BJ’sreportedlystayssmallinordertohaveahigherdensityofclubs).Costcodoesbenefitfromlargerstoresizes,butthatalonedoesnotaccountforthedisparityinsalesperoutletbetweenthechains.BecauseCostcoandSam’sClubhaveclosetothesamenumberofstores,onaverage,Costco’sdominanceislikelyduetoitsimpressivesalesdensitycoupledwithitslargerstoresizes.

Figure29.BigThreeWarehouseClubs:AverageStoreSize(Thous.Sq.Ft.)

Source:Companyreports/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

TheaverageCostcostoreproducesnearlytwicetherevenueoftheaverageSam’sClubstore,andmuchhigherrevenuethantheaverageBJ’sstore.

Figure30.BigThreeWarehouseClubs:SalesperStore,2016(USDMil.)

Source:Companyreports/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

144132

107

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Costco SamʼsClub BJʼs

$168

$87

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SalesperstoreisoneofCostco’smostimpressivemetricsandhelpsexplainitsmarketleadership.Thecompany’saverageannualsalesperoutletarealmostdoublethoseofitsclosestcompetitor.

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Costcoistheleaderinsalesdensity(i.e.,insalespersquarefoot),despiteofferingfewerSKUsthaneitherSam’sCluborBJ’s,indicatingthatCostcoachievesexceptionallystrongsalesvolumeperSKU.ThisallowsCostcotogetbetterbuyingprices,whichitpassesontoshoppers.Thisistheepitomeofnarrow-range,deep-discountretailing,andCostco’sperformanceonthismeasuresuggeststhatrivals(especiallySam’sClub)havesignificantpotentialtodriveupsalesdensitiesandboostprofitabilityperstore.

Figure31.BigThreeWarehouseClubs:SalesperSq.Ft.,2016

Source:Companyreports/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

Thetablebelowshowsthatthebigthreewarehouseclubshavebeensteadilygrowingtheirstorecountsinrecentyears.

Figure32.BigThreeWarehouseClubs:StoreCounts

FY13 FY14 FY15 FY16 Mar.2017BJ’s 201 207 210 213 219

Costco 634 663 686 715 728

Sam’sClubUS 620 632 647 655 659

Total 1,455 1,502 1,543 1,583 1,606Source:Companyreports/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

$1,168

$659 $637

$0

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$1,000

$1,200

$1,400

Costco SamʼsClub BJʼs

Costcoistheleaderinsalesdensity(i.e.,insalespersquarefoot),despiteofferingfewerSKUsthaneitherSam’sCluborBJ’s,indicatingthatCostcoachievesexceptionallystrongsalesvolumeperSKU.ThisallowsCostcotogetbetterbuyingprices,whichitpassesontoshoppers.

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NumberofProductSKUsDoesNotDifferentiateOfferingmemberswidechoicedoesnotreallyofferacompetitiveadvantageinthewarehouseclubsector.WithfewerproductlinesthanitsUSrivals,Costcohasachievedleadershipandimpressivegrowth.ThisunderscoresthatCostcosellsveryhighvolumesoftheSKUsitstocks,whichallowsthecompanytobuyatveryattractiveprices.Plus,largestoresandlimitedrangesmeansubstantialon-shelfpresence,drivingdowncostsofreplenishment.

Bythesemetrics,CostcoiseffectivelyaharddiscounterakintoEuropeangrocerydiscountersAldiandLidl,whoseultranarrowrangesandhighvolumestranslateintolowprices,andturnwafer-thinmarginsintoaprofitablebusiness.

Figure33.BigThreeWarehouseClubs:SKUsandPrivateLabels

No.ofSKUs No.ofPrivate-LabelSKUs No.ofPrivate-LabelBrandsBJ’s 7,000 500 8

Costco 4,000 550 3

Sam’sClub 6,000 500 11Source:Companyreports/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

USWarehouseClubsHaveVaryingRegionalFocusesIntermsofgeography,BJ’sfocusesprimarilyontheNortheasternUS,whileCostco’sstoresaremostcommonintheSouthwest.Sam’sClubstoresareprimarilylocatedintheSouthwest,MidwestandSouth-CentralUS.Theregionswiththehighestnumberofstoresarehighlightedinthetablebelow.

Figure34.BigThreeWarehouseClubs:USStoreDistribution,2016

Region BJ’s Costco Sam’sClub TotalNortheast 138 62 58 258

Southeast 75 50 108 233

Midwest 6 74 134 214

SouthCentral — 36 156 192

Northwest — 63 33 96

Southwest — 207 165 372

Other — 14 5 19

Total 219 506 659 1,384Source:Companyreports/FungGlobalRetail&Technology

Conclusion—PartOnePartOneofthereportdiscussedthehistoricalstronggrowthandperformanceofthewarehouseclubsector,itsheavyconcentrationintheUSandthetopthreecompaniesinthespace.Theanalysisrevealedthatthesectorhitaninflectionpointin2015andhasexperiencedaslowinggrowthtrendinrecentyearsthatmarketresearchersexpecttocontinuethrough2020.

PartTwoofthereportexaminestheadvantagesandchallengeswarehouseclubsface.Advantagesincludetheeconomiesofscalewhileprovidingsignificantvaluepricingtocustomersandatreasurehuntshoppingexperiencethatoffersunexpectedsurprisesandbargains.Challengesthewarehouseclubsfaceincludeshiftingshopperpreferencesduetogenerationalanddemographicchanges,thesteadyencroachmentofe-commerce,andAmazon’sentryintomultipleareasofcommerce.

Offeringmemberswidechoicedoesnotreallyofferacompetitiveadvantageinthewarehouseclubsector.WithfewerproductlinesthanitsUSrivals,Costcohasachievedleadershipandimpressivegrowth.

PartOneofthereportdiscussedthehistoricalstronggrowthandperformanceofthewarehouseclubsector,itsheavyconcentrationintheUSandthetopthreecompaniesinthespace.

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DeborahWeinswig,CPAManagingDirectorFungGlobalRetail&TechnologyNewYork:917.655.6790HongKong:852.6119.1779China:86.186.1420.3016deborahweinswig@fung1937.comJohnMercerSeniorAnalyst

JohnHarmon,CFASeniorAnalyst

AmyLinResearchAssistant

HongKong:8thFloor,LiFungTower888CheungShaWanRoad,KowloonHongKongTel:85223004406London:242-246MaryleboneRoadLondon,NW16JQUnitedKingdomTel:44(0)2076168988NewYork:1359Broadway,9thFloorNewYork,NY10018Tel:6468397017FungGlobalRetailTech.com


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