
Costco Wholesale Corporation owns 1 brand in our database. Browse the complete portfolio of Costco Wholesale Corporation subsidiaries and brands across various industries.
Company Type
public
Headquarters
Issaquah, Washington, USA
Brand Portfolio
1 brands
Stock
NASDAQ: COST
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.
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costco | USA | 1995 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Walmart | USA | 1993 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders |

Owned by Costco Wholesale Corporation
Costco's private label brand of coffee and espresso products, offering premium quality coffee at competitive prices exclusively to Costco members.

Owned by Walmart Inc.
Walmart's private label brand offering affordable groceries and household products across multiple categories.
Market Positioning: Costco Wholesale Corporation competes with 2 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Costco Wholesale Corporation maintains a diverse portfolio of 1 brands across multiple industries. This comprehensive brand portfolio demonstrates the company's market presence and strategic business units.
For consumers and researchers interested in corporate ownership structures, understanding which brands are owned by Costco Wholesale Corporationprovides valuable insights into market dynamics, product relationships, and corporate strategy.
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