I echo your sentiments on Costco but this is an argument for different metrics, not an argument against analytics.
There is no chance that Costco doesn't use analytics. They might not A/B test their online button colors for highest conversion rate, but I'd bet they have their own set of analytics to determine product quality, sales, returns, viability, etc.
This, thank you. I feel like people are making big assumptions about what "analytics" are that don't even begin to cover the whole spectrum of analytics.
There is no chance that Costco doesn't use analytics. They might not A/B test their online button colors for highest conversion rate, but I'd bet they have their own set of analytics to determine product quality, sales, returns, viability, etc.