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Costco Wholesale Corporation is a multinational retail company, founded in 1983 by James Sinegal and Jeffrey Brotman, and headquartered in Issaquah, Washington, USA. The company is listed in the services sector, with a focus on specialty retail.
Costco is globally recognized for its membership-based warehouse club model, offering a wide range of products at highly competitive prices to both individual consumers and businesses.
Core Business Segments:
- Wholesale Retail: Bulk sales of food, electronics, apparel, furniture, cleaning products, and more.
- Private Label - Kirkland Signature: Exclusive in-house brand offering food, beverages, home goods, and clothing.
- Financial and Travel Services: Includes credit cards, insurance, auto services, travel packages, and other exclusive member benefits.
- E-commerce: An online platform with exclusive deals and fast delivery options for members.
- Gas Stations and Pharmacies: Many warehouse locations include fuel stations and pharmacies for added member convenience.
With over 800 warehouse locations worldwide, Costco operates in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, UK, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, Spain, France, and China, among others.
The company’s subscription-based business model fosters customer loyalty through annual memberships that grant access to Costco’s unique benefits.
Costco is known for its lean operating model, high inventory turnover, and cost discipline, which ensure strong operating margins and allow it to offer consistently low prices.
Its shares are listed on the Nasdaq under the ticker COST.
History and Founding of Costco Wholesale Corporation
Costco Wholesale Corporation was founded in 1983 in Seattle, Washington, by James Sinegal and Jeffrey Brotman, with a vision to provide high-quality goods at reduced prices through a members-only shopping model.
From the beginning, Costco emphasized operational efficiency, bulk purchasing, and cost savings to deliver value to its members. The concept quickly gained traction, appealing to both individual shoppers and businesses seeking to reduce procurement costs.
In 1993, Costco merged with Price Club, an early innovator in the warehouse club industry. This strategic merger greatly expanded its reach and marked the formation of a dominant player in the North American retail space.
Costco went public in 1985, listing its shares on the Nasdaq, which provided the financial resources needed to fuel its national and international expansion.
From the early 2000s onward, Costco rapidly entered new international markets, reinforcing its presence in Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
Between 2020 and 2024, the company invested heavily in e-commerce infrastructure, supply chain optimization, and sustainability initiatives, such as expanding its offering of eco-friendly products and reducing its carbon footprint.
Under the leadership of CEO Craig Jelinek, Costco continues to grow steadily, maintaining its reputation as one of the world’s largest and most trusted retailers. Its unique business model, product quality, and commitment to customer satisfaction remain key drivers of its global success.
Additional Information
The Company Costco Wholesale Corporation (United States), is listed on Nasdaq with a market cap of $ 399.16 Billions, having an equity of $ 29.16 Billions.
With a total of 273.000 employees, the company is listed in the sector of Services and categorized in industry of Specialized Retail Trade.
In the last 12 months the Company had a revenue of $ 275.24 Billions, which generated a profit in the amount of $ 8.10 Billions.
As for its main indicators, the Company has a P/E ratio of 49.29, a P/BV ratio of 13.69 and in the last 12 months the dividend yield of COST was at 0.56%.
The Company is traded internationally through the ticker COST.
