Costco Wholesale Corporation operates a global chain of membership-only warehouse clubs, offering a wide array of products and services at low prices. Its merchandise selection includes groceries, electronics, home furnishings, apparel, health and beauty items, industrial supplies, and seasonal goods. In addition to retail offerings, Costco provides ancillary services such as optical centers, pharmacies, gas stations, photo processing, and travel packages, leveraging its membership model to drive customer loyalty and recurring revenue through annual fees.
Founded in 1983 by James Sinegal and Jeffrey Brotman, Costco merged with Price Club in 1993 to form a consolidated warehouse retailer. Headquartered in Issaquah, Washington, the company has expanded its footprint across North America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania, with locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, Spain, France, China, and Iceland. It also supports a growing e-commerce platform that complements its brick-and-mortar operations, allowing members to shop online for home delivery or in-warehouse pickup.
Costco’s private-label brand, Kirkland Signature, is a significant part of its value proposition, offering quality products at competitive price points. The company’s low-price strategy is enabled by operating on thin retail margins and relying on membership fees to bolster profitability. This business model has cultivated a loyal customer base and driven consistent year-over-year growth in membership enrollment and warehouse count.
Corporate leadership is headed by President and Chief Executive Officer W. Craig Jelinek, who has led the company since 2012. The board of directors is chaired by Hamilton E. James, with Richard A. Galanti serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Under this leadership team, Costco continues to emphasize employee welfare, efficient supply chain management, and disciplined expansion into new markets.