[Outliers] Sol Price: The Godfather of Costco, Walmart, and Modern Retail

This is the story of Sol Price, a man who invented the warehouse club, pioneered membership retail, and quietly revolutionized how 300 million plus people shop today.

Part 1: Early Years

The Teacher’s Prophecy

In the third grade, Sol Price dipped a girl’s ponytail into his inkwell. When his mother got called to school, the teacher delivered a prophecy that would follow him forever: “Your son is very smart, Mrs. Price. But he could go in one of two directions. He could become a gangster, or he could become someone who does much good.”