Costco’s $2,000 gold bars are the new $1.50 hot dog

Branded is a weekly column devoted to the intersection of marketing, business, design, and culture. Gold is a hot commodity lately. Spot prices hit a peak this week, attributed to geopolitical jitters and uncertainty about a potential Fed rate cut. Those are traditional inspirations for a gold rush, but these days potential goldbugs have a venue other than the usual markets: Costco. The discount club chain has seen its share price jump 46% over the past year on rising sales and...