Costco Wholesale Corporation

What does Costco own?
Costco Wholesale Corporation owns and operates 923 membership warehouse locations worldwide and owns the Kirkland Signature private label brand. The company also operates Costco Pharmacy, Costco Optical, Costco Travel, Costco Auto Program, and Costco Gasoline as service businesses within its warehouses. Costco's e-commerce platform extends its product offering beyond what is available in warehouses. Kirkland Signature generates approximately $50 billion in estimated annual sales.

Is Costco publicly traded?
Yes, Costco Wholesale Corporation is listed on NASDAQ under ticker COST. The company has been publicly traded since December 1985. Costco has no single controlling shareholder, with major institutional holders including Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street. The company has a single class of common stock with equal voting rights per share. Co-founder James Sinegal reduced his stake significantly after retiring as CEO in 2012.

Who founded Costco?
Costco was founded in 1983 by James Sinegal and Jeffrey Brotman in Seattle, Washington. Sinegal had previously worked at Price Club, the pioneer of the membership warehouse club concept founded by Sol Price in San Diego in 1976. The first Costco warehouse opened in Seattle in September 1983. Costco merged with Price Club in 1993 to form PriceCostco, which was later renamed Costco Wholesale Corporation.

Where is Costco headquartered?
Costco Wholesale Corporation is headquartered in Issaquah, Washington, USA, a suburb of Seattle. The company was originally headquartered in Kirkland, Washington, which is the origin of the Kirkland Signature brand name. Costco operates 923 warehouse locations across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Spain, France, China, and other countries.

How many warehouses does Costco operate?
As of early 2026, Costco operates 923 warehouse locations worldwide. The United States has approximately 614 warehouses, Canada has approximately 108, and the remaining locations are in the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Spain, France, China, and other countries. Costco typically opens 20 to 30 new warehouses per year as part of its ongoing expansion program.

Who is the CEO of Costco?
Ron Vachris serves as President and CEO of Costco Wholesale Corporation, having succeeded Craig Jelinek in January 2024. Vachris joined Costco in 1986 and spent his entire career at the company. He served as President from 2011 until becoming CEO. Jelinek had led the company since 2012, succeeding co-founder James Sinegal.

What is Costco's annual revenue?
Costco reported net sales of approximately $254.0 billion for fiscal year 2025 (ended September 1, 2025), up approximately 8% from FY2024. Q1 FY2026 (ended November 24, 2025) net sales were $65.98 billion, up 8.2% year-over-year. Membership fees account for approximately 7% of total revenue but a much larger share of operating income, as the merchandise business operates on very thin margins.

Costco was founded in 1983 by James Sinegal and Jeffrey Brotman in Seattle, Washington. Sinegal had previously worked at Price Club, one of the first membership warehouse clubs, founded by Sol Price in San Diego in 1976. Sinegal brought that experience to the founding of Costco. The first Costco warehouse opened in Seattle in September 1983.

The company went public in December 1985, listing on NASDAQ under ticker COST. Costco grew rapidly through the late 1980s and 1990s, expanding across the United States and into international markets. The company entered Canada in 1985, the United Kingdom in 1993, South Korea in 1994, Japan in 1999, and Australia in 2009.

In 1993, Costco merged with Price Club to form PriceCostco. The company was subsequently renamed Costco Companies, Inc. in 1997 and Costco Wholesale Corporation in 1999. The Price Club merger brought additional warehouses and expanded the company's geographic footprint.

Costco launched Kirkland Signature in 1992 as its private label brand. The brand was named after Costco's original headquarters city of Kirkland, Washington. Kirkland Signature has since grown into one of the largest consumer brands in the United States, with products spanning nearly every category sold in Costco warehouses.

The company's membership model has proven remarkably resilient. Costco's US and Canada membership renewal rate has consistently exceeded 90%, reflecting the strong value proposition the company offers to members. As of FY2025, Costco had approximately 76 million paid household memberships and approximately 137 million cardholders.

In September 2024, Costco raised its US and Canada membership fees for the first time since 2017. Gold Star membership increased from $60 to $65 per year, and Executive membership increased from $120 to $130 per year. The fee increase was implemented smoothly and did not materially affect renewal rates.

For fiscal year 2025 (ended September 1, 2025), Costco reported net sales of approximately $254.0 billion, up approximately 8% from FY2024. Q1 FY2026 (ended November 24, 2025) net sales were $65.98 billion, up 8.2% year-over-year. The company continues to open 20 to 30 new warehouses per year.

In January 2024, Ron Vachris succeeded Craig Jelinek as CEO. Vachris had served as President since 2011 and joined Costco in 1986. The transition was planned and orderly, maintaining continuity in the company's leadership.

Costco has implemented sustainability initiatives focused on renewable energy, waste reduction, sustainable sourcing, and ethical business practices. The company has committed to reducing its environmental impact through energy efficiency improvements in warehouses, renewable energy procurement, and waste diversion programs.

On energy, Costco has installed solar panels on many of its warehouse locations and has committed to renewable energy procurement. The company has implemented energy-efficient LED lighting and refrigeration systems in its warehouses, reducing electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Costco has also invested in electric vehicle charging stations at select locations.

In waste management, Costco has implemented comprehensive recycling programs for cardboard, plastics, and other materials. The company works with suppliers to reduce packaging waste and has implemented food donation programs to reduce food waste. Costco's bulk packaging model inherently reduces per-unit packaging waste compared to traditional retail packaging.

For sustainable sourcing, Costco partners with suppliers using sustainability principles for Kirkland Signature products. The company works toward 100% Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification for palm oil used in Kirkland Signature products. Costco commits to sourcing 100% of fresh and frozen seafood from sustainable sources and maintains environmental standards for Kirkland Signature products.

Costco is widely recognized for paying wages significantly above the retail industry average, with starting wages typically above $20 per hour in the United States. The company provides comprehensive benefits including healthcare and retirement plans. Costco's employee retention rates are among the highest in retail.

Costco is not a Certified B Corporation. The company has set science-based targets for greenhouse gas emissions reduction. The company's sustainability reporting is self-disclosed and should be evaluated as first-party information.

Costco has faced relatively limited controversy compared to other large retailers, but several areas warrant attention.

The company experienced multiple product recalls in 2025 affecting both national brands and Kirkland Signature products. In May 2025, Costco recalled six Fresh and Ready ready-to-eat sandwich products due to potential listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recall was part of a larger outbreak that resulted in 10 hospitalizations and one death according to FDA reports. In June 2025, Costco recalled Topo Chico Mineral Water 16.9-ounce bottles sold in Texas and Louisiana due to potential Pseudomonas contamination. In July 2025, Ritz Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches were recalled due to labeling errors. In September 2025, Kirkland Signature Ahi Tuna Wasabi Poke was recalled due to potential listeria contamination in green onions.

Costco's chicken processing plant in Fremont, California, has faced ongoing scrutiny for consistently failing USDA salmonella tests. The plant received the worst Category 3 rating 92% of the time between September 2023 and July 2025, raising concerns about food safety controls at Costco's vertically integrated poultry operation.

The company has faced some criticism regarding its environmental impact, including packaging waste from its bulk merchandise model and the carbon footprint of its large warehouse facilities. Costco has committed to sustainability initiatives including renewable energy procurement and packaging reduction, but environmental groups have questioned the pace and scope of these commitments.

Costco has faced scrutiny regarding sourcing practices, including questions about labor conditions in its supply chain. The company has implemented supplier compliance programs that audit suppliers for labor practices, environmental compliance, and product quality standards. Costco's Kirkland Signature products undergo quality testing and many are sourced through programs that ensure ethical production practices.

The company has been recognized for its employee compensation practices, paying wages significantly above the retail industry average and providing comprehensive benefits. However, some labor advocates have raised questions about unionization and working conditions in specific warehouses.