Sol Price by Robert E. Price Summary
Overview of Sol Price
Sol Price revolutionized retail with the warehouse club model that inspired Costco, Walmart, and beyond. When Sam Walton openly admitted "stealing" Sol's ideas, he simply replied: "I wish you'd stolen more." Discover how one man's integrity transformed shopping forever.
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When a Lawyer Accidentally Revolutionized How America Shops
What if the person who fundamentally changed how you buy groceries, electronics, and bulk toilet paper was someone you'd never heard of? Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart and once America's richest person, openly admitted he "borrowed" most of his ideas from one man: Sol Price. Yet Price's name rarely appears in business history books. This quiet revolutionary didn't just transform retail once-he did it twice. First with FedMart in 1954, pioneering the discount store concept that spawned Walmart, Target, and Kmart. Then again with Price Club in 1976, inventing the warehouse membership model that became Costco and Sam's Club. His secret wasn't ruthless competition or aggressive expansion. It was something far more radical: treating customers and employees as if their wellbeing actually mattered. Sol Price's story begins in 1916 in the Bronx, where his mother Bella arrived at Ellis Island at thirteen with nothing but her name sewn onto her dress. Nearly turned away for an eye infection, she survived New York's brutal garment district while his father Sam organized labor unions before starting a coat manufacturing business. The family wasn't religiously observant-Sam refused to attend synagogue after being denied entry without a ticket-but they were deeply principled. When Sam contracted tuberculosis in 1927, the family moved to San Diego for his health. Thirteen-year-old Sol told his Bronx friends they were "going west with the cowboys and Indians." That cross-country journey would ultimately reshape American commerce.
From Immigrant Roots to Legal Career: The Making of a Revolutionary
Breaking Every Rule: FedMart and the Birth of Modern Discount Retail
The Radical Philosophy: Paying More to Make More
Betrayal, Reinvention, and the Birth of Price Club
The Warehouse Revolution: From Cracked Floors to Retail Dominance
A Legacy Beyond Profit: What a Lawyer Taught Business About Doing Right
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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