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Retail

From Sam Walton's Arkansas warehouse to Jim Sinegal's Seattle membership club, American retail has been the laboratory for the most important operating lessons of the last century.

3 stories in Retail

Photograph of Nike — 1964
1964Portland, OregonRetail

How Phil Knight built Nike by betting on athletes, not advertising

Nike didn't have better shoes than Adidas or Converse for most of its history. It had a better story about who wore them.

Mar 12, 2025Apply the lesson
Photograph of Costco — 1983
1983Seattle, WashingtonRetail

How Jim Sinegal built Costco by treating customers like partners

Costco caps its margins at 14% on branded goods. That single rule, held for forty years, is worth more than any marketing campaign.

Feb 19, 2025Apply the lesson
Photograph of Walmart — 1962
1962Rogers, ArkansasRetail

How Sam Walton turned process discipline into a global empire

Walton didn't out-invent his rivals — he out-systematized them. The playbook still works for any operator today.

Jan 15, 2025Apply the lesson
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