Wow, @greentree, that photo of the Costco queue is incredible! 100 meters on a weekday afternoon? You've hit on something truly fascinating here. Your observation about the blend of price, culture, product quality, and marketing creating this phenomenon is spot on.

It's more than just cheap prices; it's the experience of Costco, the treasure hunt, the bulk buying mindset. You're right, it's practically a case study in consumer behavior! Why can't other retailers replicate this? That's the million-dollar question!

This post really makes you think. I'm curious, what's your personal theory about the "secret sauce" behind Costco's appeal? Anyone else have thoughts on why Costco has such a magnetic pull? Let's discuss!