I read it but didn't read it extremely thoroughly (it is long and feels like it kinda sits too long on points).

Do you think Costco will rise in popularity any further? It looks like it's at a maximum of ethicalness to profitability in terms of food goods. (It offers bottom barrel ethics on clothes as far as I've seen) Do you think if the economy tanks then costco will just immediately switch to less ethical options because consumers will not be able to afford all their more ethical options? Did anyone study what they did during the recession?

I feel like a lot of their more ethical food options are more recent in invention... Mainly following upper class trends. A lot of the things there seem like they're trying their best to imitate what the upper class has. It's rare to see a high end good by itself at a good price. They offer thermoflasks instead of hydroflasks. Only one or two Le Creuset pots but they're really high priced still. Kirkland versions of kitchenware instead of the cuisinart ones that are just knockoffs of the all-clads everyone wants.

Personally - Costco feels like a slight improvement over Walmart but only at certain goods. It feels far lower than Whole Foods when it comes to ethical choices. I think that ethical gap is far greater than the image you posted gives off.

As far as price goes - I think Costco only feels like a good value to consumers who aren't savvy at shopping. For me - an overly savvy shopper - I feel like I'm getting ripped off when I go there as I buy most goods for less or equal to what they offer.