Empty Costco

[temeculaguy]

I think the costco barometric economic indicator is a flawed system. I think I have shopped there regularly since 1985 when I knew of only one (Price club at the time) on Morena. I have never been able to guage economic activity by seeing people buy staples at a specific time at a specific location. Even during those 22 years I have had good and bad financial times and still managed enough money to buy toilet paper at costco. I think when I was at my poorest I may have shopped there even more, forgoing other luxuries yet maintaining food and toiletries as my little treat.

I think foreclosures are the best indicator, maybe luxury cars, boats and recreational vehicles will give you some insight but not things that people will always buy. I don’t think the majority of the people out there took their heloc to costco, they bought toy haulers, jet skis, implants, granite counters, etc. If you want the man/woman on the street info I would gladly hang out at the local plastic surgeon’s waiting room and strike up a conversation with the waiting patients but the office staff threatened to get a restraining order against me if I keep doing it.

[bsrsharma]

TG,

This test, suggested by JPJones, seems interesting.

See what is selling: 

Steak or hot dogs?

Crab legs or cold cuts?

[bsrsharma]

TG,

This test, suggested by JPJones, seems interesting.

See what is selling: 

Steak or hot dogs?

Crab legs or cold cuts?

[bsrsharma]

TG,

This test, suggested by JPJones, seems interesting.

See what is selling: 

Steak or hot dogs?

Crab legs or cold cuts?

[temeculaguy]

I get the premise I just don’t think it’s too egocentric to base one’s 30 minute observation and translate it to the broader economy. My kids started school this week, I didn’t send them to school with crab legs in their lunchboxes yet I have more cash and income than I have ever had. The cold cuts and PB&J that I was stocking up on was not due to my budget and observing my purchases would give a false impression. Costco is one of the best places to buy the stuff for kid lunches, the single serving juice, yogurt, cheese, snacks are all high quality and low price, I would think some families had to hit costco before school starts but after they have been they don’t need to go for a week or two and the first week or two of school requires adjustments in routines. Different districts start on different days or weeks, some areas are still in summer mode and others are rushing to get ready and some have been in school all week.

I’m not saying that retail sales won’t be down, just that a big chunk of costco’s customers have families and their schedules at the end of August can be thrown off by the beginning of school and sports that suddenly start.

[temeculaguy]

I get the premise I just don’t think it’s too egocentric to base one’s 30 minute observation and translate it to the broader economy. My kids started school this week, I didn’t send them to school with crab legs in their lunchboxes yet I have more cash and income than I have ever had. The cold cuts and PB&J that I was stocking up on was not due to my budget and observing my purchases would give a false impression. Costco is one of the best places to buy the stuff for kid lunches, the single serving juice, yogurt, cheese, snacks are all high quality and low price, I would think some families had to hit costco before school starts but after they have been they don’t need to go for a week or two and the first week or two of school requires adjustments in routines. Different districts start on different days or weeks, some areas are still in summer mode and others are rushing to get ready and some have been in school all week.

I’m not saying that retail sales won’t be down, just that a big chunk of costco’s customers have families and their schedules at the end of August can be thrown off by the beginning of school and sports that suddenly start.

[temeculaguy]

I get the premise I just don’t think it’s too egocentric to base one’s 30 minute observation and translate it to the broader economy. My kids started school this week, I didn’t send them to school with crab legs in their lunchboxes yet I have more cash and income than I have ever had. The cold cuts and PB&J that I was stocking up on was not due to my budget and observing my purchases would give a false impression. Costco is one of the best places to buy the stuff for kid lunches, the single serving juice, yogurt, cheese, snacks are all high quality and low price, I would think some families had to hit costco before school starts but after they have been they don’t need to go for a week or two and the first week or two of school requires adjustments in routines. Different districts start on different days or weeks, some areas are still in summer mode and others are rushing to get ready and some have been in school all week.

I’m not saying that retail sales won’t be down, just that a big chunk of costco’s customers have families and their schedules at the end of August can be thrown off by the beginning of school and sports that suddenly start.

[cyphire]

probably true…

[cyphire]

probably true…

[cyphire]

probably true…

[stockstradr]

My wife and I are long-time COSTCO shoppers, at least twice a week.

In our area, all the COSTCO’s are so JAM-PACKED it is unfortunately like being at a standing-room-only rock concert, only without the benefit of hearing good music and being stoned.

[stockstradr]

My wife and I are long-time COSTCO shoppers, at least twice a week.

In our area, all the COSTCO’s are so JAM-PACKED it is unfortunately like being at a standing-room-only rock concert, only without the benefit of hearing good music and being stoned.

[stockstradr]

My wife and I are long-time COSTCO shoppers, at least twice a week.

In our area, all the COSTCO’s are so JAM-PACKED it is unfortunately like being at a standing-room-only rock concert, only without the benefit of hearing good music and being stoned.

[hipmatt]

You will never.. or very rarely see a Costco with out lines. It is part of the business plan. They constantly monitor door counts, ave. shopping cart price, and payroll and then cut/add hours to a very efficient ratio.(usually on the understaffed side)

If sales are down, they send people home. If sales are up, they call people in early. They consider it a huge waste of payroll to have cashiers and boxers/baggers standing around waiting for shoppers to check out.

Most Costco’s will have decent waits in lines, it is better to judge how many lines, and how much and what is in the cart.

This is also the end of the fiscal year, and payroll bonus do play a factor if you see longer lines lately. That being said, sales are edging down lately.

On another note, an old RE agent I used to work with said he was applying to Costco due to the “horrible” RE market. He blamed the newspapers and media for scaring consumers with bad news. I told him they are probably putting it mildly. Another old friend says that most of the business from the saloon that she works at has all but dried up. People are beginning to get it.

[hipmatt]

You will never.. or very rarely see a Costco with out lines. It is part of the business plan. They constantly monitor door counts, ave. shopping cart price, and payroll and then cut/add hours to a very efficient ratio.(usually on the understaffed side)

If sales are down, they send people home. If sales are up, they call people in early. They consider it a huge waste of payroll to have cashiers and boxers/baggers standing around waiting for shoppers to check out.

Most Costco’s will have decent waits in lines, it is better to judge how many lines, and how much and what is in the cart.

This is also the end of the fiscal year, and payroll bonus do play a factor if you see longer lines lately. That being said, sales are edging down lately.

On another note, an old RE agent I used to work with said he was applying to Costco due to the “horrible” RE market. He blamed the newspapers and media for scaring consumers with bad news. I told him they are probably putting it mildly. Another old friend says that most of the business from the saloon that she works at has all but dried up. People are beginning to get it.

[Author]

Posts