Costco made $5.323 billion in membership fee revenue in its 2025 fiscal year.
Its total net income that year was $8.099 billion.
So roughly two thirds of everything Costco earned came from people paying for the right to shop there. The merchandise, all $269.9 billion of it, is close to a break-even operation that exists to justify the fee.
Now here is Bi-Mart, a chain of 80 stores across Oregon, Washington and Idaho.
Bi-Mart also charges a membership fee. Five dollars. One time. It never expires.
Two companies, same mechanic, completely different purpose. And the second one is far more interesting.