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<generator>Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/</generator><item><title><![CDATA[Cheap Stocks: Costco Wholesale]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/07/cheap-stocks-costco-wholesale/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/07/cheap-stocks-costco-wholesale/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/07/cheap-stocks-costco-wholesale/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/cost/" rel="tag">Costco Wholesale (COST)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/sandp-500/" rel="tag">S and P 500</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/stocks-to-buy/" rel="tag">Stocks to Buy</a></p><p><em><img  hspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2008/12/cheap-stocks-costco-200cs112608.jpg" align="right" vspace="4" border="1" alt="" />This post is part of a series featuring bargain stocks that are worth a look now. See more <strong><a href="http://money.aol.com/investing/cheap-stocks">Cheap Stocks</a></strong>.</em></p>
<p>In troubled economic times, it seems like a no-brainer that discount retailers will fare better than their mid-market competitors. Of the discount group, <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/costco-wholesale-corporation/cost/nas">Costco Wholesale</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/costco-wholesale-corporation/cost/nas">COST</a>) garners extra points for its brand recognition, broad geographic reach, and dedication to its customers.</p>
<p>Speaking of customer service, I recall being mildly shocked earlier this year upon reading <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/jul2008/pi20080723_131368.htm?chan=rss_topEmailedStories_ssi_5">this <em>BusinessWeek</em> article</a>, which alleges that Costco often chooses to cater to its customer base rather than pleasing its investors. Amid skyrocketing commodity costs in July, the mega-retailer warned of a quarterly earnings shortfall, because of a reluctance to hike its own prices and potentially alienate its customer base.</p>
<p>I'm no CEO, but to my mind, the happiness of Costco's investors is directly pegged to how satisfied its customers are. If shoppers are turned off by price increases and take their business over to, say, Sam's Club -- what have the investors won? It takes a clear-headed management team to consider the long-term effects on its core customer base over the short-term demands of frustrated traders.</p><p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/07/cheap-stocks-costco-wholesale/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Cheap Stocks: Costco Wholesale</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/07/cheap-stocks-costco-wholesale/">Cheap Stocks: Costco Wholesale</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Sun, 07 Dec 2008 15:10:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/07/cheap-stocks-costco-wholesale/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/1380329/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/07/cheap-stocks-costco-wholesale/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>cheap stocks</category><category>cost</category><category>Costco</category><category>costco wholesale</category><category>discount retail</category><category>Richard Galanti</category><category>Sams Club</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Elizabeth Harrow]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 07 Dec 2008 15:10:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Costco presents buying opportunity after satisfactory seasonal sales]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/26/costco-presents-buying-opportunity-after-satisfactory-seasonal-s/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/26/costco-presents-buying-opportunity-after-satisfactory-seasonal-s/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/26/costco-presents-buying-opportunity-after-satisfactory-seasonal-s/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/good-news/" rel="tag">Good news</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/products-and-services/" rel="tag">Products and Services</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/competitive-strategy/" rel="tag">Competitive Strategy</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/cost/" rel="tag">Costco Wholesale (COST)</a></p><img width="200" height="NaN" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2007/12/logo_costco.gif" alt="costco logo" />Although there's still need for concern about the retail sector, I must admit that I'm feeling fairly secure right now about <a href="http://beta.finance.aol.com/quotes/costco-wholesale-corporation/cost/nas">Costco</a> Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ: <a href="http://beta.finance.aol.com/quotes/costco-wholesale-corporation/cost/nas">COST</a>). That is why I see this morning's 1.25% drop in Costco's share price as an possible buying opportunity. Already, that share price is being supported and lifted from a low of $69.55 and I'd be willing to speculate that Costco shall end the day in positive territory. <br /><br />A <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119853220625149311.html?mod=googlenews_wsj"><em>Wall Street Journal</em> article</a> today puts a shine on Costco's seasonal performance, indicating that management executed a seasonal plan which worked nicely within the fragility of today's retail realm. Costco CFO Richard Galanti stated Monday, "We were left pretty clean in terms of seasonal markdowns.Generally speaking, our season went well." Costco has already changed over its seasonal square footage to furniture offerings, something it began doing even before the Christmas season grinds to a halt.<br /><br />The two issues to keep focus on regarding Costco this year is how well it takes advantage of new opportunities and the quality of its management team. Already, five NBA teams have joined with Costco to sell discounted game tickets through Costco's website, according to <a href="http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article.preview&amp;articleId=57631">SportsBusinessJournal.com</a> (registration required). This development may prove to be part of a marketing push which will see <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/tag/Costco/">Costco</a> attempting to sell more non-perishable goods via the Internet.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/26/costco-presents-buying-opportunity-after-satisfactory-seasonal-s/">Costco presents buying opportunity after satisfactory seasonal sales</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Wed, 26 Dec 2007 16:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119853220625149311.html?mod=googlenews_wsj>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/26/costco-presents-buying-opportunity-after-satisfactory-seasonal-s/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/1071114/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/26/costco-presents-buying-opportunity-after-satisfactory-seasonal-s/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>cost</category><category>costco</category><category>inthenews</category><category>retail</category><category>Richard Galanti</category><category>RichardGalanti</category><category>seasonal</category><category>Sports Business Journal</category><category>SportsBusinessJournal</category><category>target</category><category>Wal-Mart</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Gary Sattler]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 26 Dec 2007 16:00:00 EST</pubDate></item></channel></rss>
