Read Behind the Scenes Case Study in Chapter 15 Costco Pushes Its Supply Chain to Satisfy Customers and answer the following Critical Thinking Questions

1. If customers repeatedly ask Costco to carry certain items that the company thinks are outside its price/quality comfort zone (because theyre too expensive or not of high enough quality), should it give in and carry the items? Why or why not?
2. Most of the items on Costcos website are available only through Costco; should it expand its online product selection to include more commonly available products, since an online store doesnt have the physical constraints of a brick-and-mortar location? Why or why not?
3. If Costco cant find enough land in, say, Japan, to build its usual store format, should it leverage the Costco brand name anyway and build something such as conventional department stores or grocery stores in these areas? Why or why not?