Costco Wholesale Corporation is a leading global retailer that operates membership-only warehouse clubs designed to offer high-quality, nationally branded and private-label products at exceptionally low prices. The company's business model relies on high sales volumes, rapid inventory turnover, and strict operational efficiencies achieved through volume purchasing, streamlined cross-docking distribution, and a limited selection of under 4,000 active stock-keeping units (SKUs) per warehouse. This lean operating structure allows Costco to operate profitably at thin merchandise margins, offsetting retail costs with highly stable, recurring annual membership fees. As of mid-2026, Costco operates 931 warehouses globally, with a dominant presence in the United States and Canada, alongside growing international operations and robust e-commerce platforms.

Research as of 20 Jul 2026