Costco’s Global Expansion: Surpassing 900 Locations
Costco Wholesale Corporation, the multinational warehouse club chain, is poised to surpass the milestone of 900 global locations with the planned opening of several new warehouses in early March 2025. This achievement marks a significant expansion for the Issaquah, Washington-based retailer.
Upcoming Store Openings
In December 2024, Costco announced its ambitious plans to open 29 new locations during its 2025 fiscal year, which concludes on August 31, 2025. Six of these new warehouses are scheduled to open in March 2025 in various locations across the United States:
- Murfreesboro, Tennessee
- Fairview Heights, Illinois
- Columbus, Georgia
- Genesee County, Michigan
- Puyallup, Washington
- Kapolei, Hawaii
With these six new additions, Costco will operate a total of 903 locations worldwide.
Current Global Presence
Costco currently boasts a vast network of 897 warehouses globally, with a significant presence in the United States and Puerto Rico (617 locations). The company also has a growing international footprint, with locations in:
- Canada (109)
- Mexico (41)
- Japan (36)
- United Kingdom (29)
- Korea (19)
- Australia (15)
- Taiwan (14)
- China (7)
- Spain (5)
- France (2)
- Iceland (1)
- New Zealand (1)
- Sweden (1)
Financial Performance and Growth
Costco’s expansion strategy aligns with its strong financial performance. For the first 22 weeks of its fiscal year, beginning September 2, 2024, the company reported an 8.2% increase in net sales to $113.55 billion. Comparable sales in the U.S. surged by 6.6% during that period, driven by favorable holiday shopping conditions. In the four-week period ending February 2, comparable U.S. sales rose by an impressive 9.2%.
Analysts predict continued growth for Costco in its second quarter 2025 earnings report, due on March 6. S&P Global Market Intelligence forecasts a revenue increase of over 7% to $63 billion, along with a 4.5% rise in net income to more than $1.8 billion compared to the same period last year.
Membership Fees
Costco offers membership-based access to its stores, with two main tiers:
- Gold Star Membership: $65 annually for U.S. and Canada
- Executive Membership: $130 annually, providing additional benefits such as a 2% annual reward up to $1,250 and exclusive services discounts.
Costco implemented a modest price increase for memberships in September 2024, the first since 2017.
Conclusion
Costco’s continuous expansion demonstrates its commitment to providing its members with convenient shopping experiences worldwide. With its strong financial performance and focus on customer satisfaction, Costco is well-positioned to further solidify its position as a global retail leader.
