How Warehouse Clubs Became America's New Cultural Battleground
Welcome to Friday, futurists.
After sixteen straight weeks of foot traffic gains at Costco—at the expense of Target—it seems like cultural and political battlegrounds are being fought in member clubs, and not in the hallowed halls of retail.
This weekend we have an exclusive Member Briefing that unpacks the economics of abundance in an age of scarcity—introducing "The Bulk Index," our new quarterly tracker examining how warehouse clubs have transcended mere retail destinations to become performative spaces where American values and anxieties materialize in supersized packages.
As tariffs reshape consumer psychology and younger generations flee urban centers, Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's aren't just beneficiaries of economic uncertainty—they're architects of a new consumption narrative where membership cards function as cultural passports and hot dog prices become political statements.
Dive into our deep-dive analysis this weekend, exclusively for members of Future Commerce Plus.
— Phillip
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Layoffs à la Lauder. Estée Lauder Companies will cut thousands of jobs amid a double-digit sales decline that has the beauty giant scrambling to revitalize growth in an increasingly softening luxury beauty market. The conglomerate's austerity measures speak volumes about the state of premium beauty in a post-pandemic world.
FAIshon in Action. Gap Inc. EVP and Chief Technology Officer Sven Gerjets gave the LinkedIn-crowd (see what we did there?) an exclusive look at how the Athleta team uses AI in the creative process. From sketches to detailed renders, AI augments and accelerates the entire journey. Want more proof? Sven provides a step-by-step walkthrough.
Tariff Turbulence. Apple's latest earnings call revealed ominous forecasting as CEO Tim Cook acknowledged the tech giant could face $900 million in additional costs next quarter due to President Trump's tariffs. The geopolitical chess match continues to complicate supply chains for even the most valuable company on earth.
A Gem of a Space.
A Gem of a Space. The girlies love Kendra Scott (one necklace has a literal stranglehold), which makes the jewelry brand’s new collab with Pottery Barn a no-brainer. The collection brings Kendra Scott’s signature aesthetic to various teen-friendly items, from furniture to bedding, wall decor, jewelry storage—even dormroom—and other decorative accessories. Each item touches what so many young consumers love about the brand, including its signature designs, shapes, colors, and materials. This isn’t the first time Pottery Barn has tapped into a beloved brand from an adjacent category: the retailer is also putting its partnership with LoveShackFancy front and center, just in time for peak dorm-shopping season.
Lego My Hot Wheels. Mattel has unveiled the first product collection under its new Mattel Brick Shop brand, a move undoubtedly aimed at beating Lego at its own game. Appealing to kids and car aficionados alike, the collection includes seven collectible building sets for different Hot Wheels models. The collection will hit retail store shelves in the summer, but builders can preorder their sets online now. “Hot Wheels” nostalgia and big-boy kit sizes (>900 pieces), the prices are anything but nostalgic: kits are upwards of $119.99,redefining the meaning of “auto shop.”
For Your Convenient Consideration. Convenience store and pizza chain Casey’s is bringing back its Innovation Summit. The retailer is looking for “new, differentiated, and potentially exclusive products” that, if selected, will be sold in its 2,900 stores. Think your brand has what it takes to fly off Casey’s shelves? Think of it as American Idol, but for CPG. (Are we dating ourselves yet?)
Way-mo Safer Than Humans. Waymo's latest data release demonstrates impressive safety metrics after 56.7 million autonomous miles, reinforcing the company's edge in preventing serious injuries compared to human drivers. The autonomous vehicle pioneer continues methodically building its case for machine superiority through relentless data accumulation and transparency.
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