Summary
Costco is resisting a shareholder proposal urging an evaluation of potential business risks linked to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. The proposal argues that Costco’s DEI initiatives pose litigation, reputational, and financial risks.
Costco believes its commitment to inclusion is essential and that the requested report would not provide valuable information. This stance contrasts with other major companies, which have scaled back DEI programs due to pressures from conservative groups and the Trump administration.
Costco’s support for DEI sets it apart from other companies facing similar pressures.
Yes big box stores drive out small businesses but it’s far more efficient to have one central hub where giant pallets of products are delivered and sold in large quantities than hundreds of small stores each burning oil on heating and delivery trucks to sell small portions of products requiring more trips from consumers. -or even worse: Amazon and Door Dash.
For me at least, costco is a good complement for smaller local stores. Get the basic staples/commodities where price is the main factor at costco, and hit the local shops for speciality items that you don’t need or want a pallet of.
The real threat to mom & pop shops is places like Walmart and Amazon that sell virtually everything under the sun.