Costco Wholesale Corporation
American multinational corporation operating a chain of membership-only big-box retail warehouses, known for bulk sales and limited product selection.
Company Type
public
Founded
1983
Headquarters
Issaquah, Washington, USA
Stock
NASDAQ: COST
About 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, and Costco Auto Program as service businesses within its warehouses. Costco's e-commerce platform extends its product offering beyond what is available in warehouses.
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, and Costco Auto Program as service businesses within its warehouses. Costco's e-commerce platform extends its product offering beyond what is available in warehouses.
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. Co-founder James Sinegal reduced his stake significantly after retiring as CEO in 2012.
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. 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. 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.
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. 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.
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.
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 owns Costco?
Costco Wholesale Corporation is publicly traded on NASDAQ with a broad institutional and retail shareholder base. No single shareholder holds a controlling stake. Major institutional shareholders include Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street. Ron Vachris serves as President and CEO. Co-founder James Sinegal reduced his stake significantly after retiring as CEO in 2012.
Costco Wholesale Corporation is publicly traded on NASDAQ with a broad institutional and retail shareholder base. No single shareholder holds a controlling stake. Major institutional shareholders include Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street. Ron Vachris serves as President and CEO. Co-founder James Sinegal reduced his stake significantly after retiring as CEO in 2012.
History of Costco Wholesale Corporation
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, and brought that experience to the founding of Costco. The first Costco warehouse opened in Seattle in September 1983.
Price Club, founded by Sol Price in San Diego in 1976, was the pioneer of the membership warehouse club concept. Price Club merged with Costco in 1993 to form PriceCostco, which was subsequently renamed Costco Companies, Inc. in 1997 and Costco Wholesale Corporation in 1999.
Costco went public in December 1985, listing on NASDAQ under ticker COST. The company grew rapidly through the late 1980s and 1990s, expanding across the United States and into international markets.
Costco entered the Canadian market in 1985, the United Kingdom in 1993, South Korea in 1994, Japan in 1999, and Australia in 2009. International expansion has been a consistent growth driver, with international warehouses now accounting for approximately 27% of total net sales.
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 fiscal year 2025, Costco had approximately 76 million paid household memberships and approximately 137 million cardholders.
For fiscal year 2025 (ended September 1, 2025), Costco reported net sales of approximately $254.0 billion, up approximately 8% from fiscal year 2024. Q1 fiscal year 2026 (ended November 24, 2025) net sales were $65.98 billion, up 8.2% year-over-year.
Brands Owned by Costco Wholesale Corporation
Costco Wholesale Corporation owns 1 brand in our database.
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Stock Information
Costco Wholesale Corporation Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Membership model generates recurring, high-margin fee income that funds operating costs
- +Kirkland Signature is one of the most successful private label brands in retail history
- +Membership renewal rates consistently above 90% demonstrate exceptional customer loyalty
- +Limited SKU strategy enables superior supplier negotiations and inventory efficiency
- +International expansion provides a long runway for growth beyond the mature US market
Considerations
- -Low merchandise margins mean the business is heavily dependent on membership fee income
- -Large warehouse format limits location flexibility compared to smaller-format retailers
- -E-commerce capabilities lag pure-play online retailers in breadth of selection
- -Concentration in North America (approximately 80% of warehouses) limits geographic diversification
- -Premium valuation relative to earnings reflects high investor expectations
Frequently Asked Questions About 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, and Costco Auto Program as service businesses within its warehouses. Costco's e-commerce platform extends its product offering beyond what is available in warehouses.
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. 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. 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 owns Costco?
Costco Wholesale Corporation is publicly traded on NASDAQ with a broad institutional and retail shareholder base. No single shareholder holds a controlling stake. Major institutional shareholders include Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street. Ron Vachris serves as President and CEO. Co-founder James Sinegal reduced his stake significantly after retiring as CEO in 2012.
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