Costco; the better model for retail in the U.S.?

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2013_06/the_secret_of_costcos_success045176.php

"Getting back to Costco: the abstract theorizing that MBA students learn in microeconomics courses often has little relevance to practical business situations. The simplified textbook models do teach the lesson that policies like unions and the minimum wage are wrong — that message comes through loud and clear. Economics as it’s taught in most American colleges today encourages poor labor practices.
No wonder why Costco prefers its own cart-pushers to fancy MBA bean counters. Costco’s business model relies on investing in its workers."

comparing Walmart and Costco should be a part of any MBA program.  Costco cares for its employees.