What are retail store chain Costco's target customers, its core competencies, and its strategy for delivering value?

The
Costco Wholesale Corporation, established in 1983 is, as the New York Times
article the link to which is provided below, attests, considered among retail industry experts
the anti-Walmart because of its strategy based upon providing the highest quality products at
the most reasonable €“ which does not necessarily mean cheapest €“ cost, while treating
employees like respected members of the company.  While this answer is not intended as an
indictment of Walmart, which has been heavily criticized for its low wages and low-quality
consumer goods, any discussion of Costcos success has to include some level of comparative
analysis with regard to other similar chains. 

In addition to the
aforementioned New York Times article, the Washington
Monthly article also linked below summarizes...

href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/2013/06/09/the-secret-of-costcos-success-revealed-hint-no-mbas-need-apply/">https://washingtonmonthly.com/2013/06/09/the-secret-of-co...