While wandering through through the aisles, I realized that Costco is more than just a massive warehouse with an amplitude of supplies. Costco is the new ground of the American frontier. Since we have no new sources for land expansion, Americans have expanded their frontier for purchasing essential and frivolous products. With the focus on rapid consumption, Costco provides excessive portions of consumer products. Every time I return there is a new "deal" which is meant to inspire even more consumption. Continued expansion within the realm of consumer goods could ultimately designate Costco as an "endlessly fertile continent whose boundaries never need be reached" (Shames 91). Yet with so much expansion, Costco continues to remain semi exclusive. With required membership fees Costco can deter those who may not be willing or able to spend outlandish amounts of money on bulk amounts of goods which are most likely not necessities. Still a likely possibility is that Americans continue purchasing and renewing their Costco memberships because it is a "manufactured status symbol" (Soloman 527). No matter what the facts may be Costco is going to continue expanding anyway possible as long as Americans keep piling in and handing over fists full of sweet currency.
Shames, Laurence. "Consuming Passions". Signs of Life in the USA. Ed Sonia Maasik and Jack Soloman. 6th ed. Boston. Bedford / St. Martins. 2009. (86 - 92). Print.
Soloman, Jack. "American Paradox". Signs of life in the USA. Ed. Sonia Maasik and Jack Soloman. 6th ed. Boston. Bedford / St. Martins. 2009. (524 - 534). Print.
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