Amazon vs Target vs Costco

Amazon, Target, and Costco each solve the problem of buying household essentials in fundamentally different ways. Shopping at each one reveals what the company believes about its customers. Amazon assumes you know what you want and optimizes for speed, delivering it to your door in 1 to 2 days with no friction beyond clicking a button. Target assumes shopping is partly entertainment, with wide aisles, curated endcap displays, and a layout that encourages browsing even when you came in for toothpaste. Costco assumes you're willing to buy in bulk and navigate a warehouse because the unit price savings justify the membership fee and the inconvenience.