About Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)

Company Description:

Costco Wholesale Corporation operates at the crossroads of membership warehouses and discount stores, providing a wide range of merchandise. The company is known for its retail outlets that offer bulk quantities of goods at discounted prices for its members.

Founded in 1976 by James Sinegal and Jeffrey Brotman, Costco established its first warehouse in Seattle, Washington. Over the decades, it has grown to become the largest membership warehouse club in the United States, with a primary focus on providing the best value to its members.

Main Product(s):

Costco offers a broad spectrum of products including groceries, electronics, appliances, health and wellness items, and more. Additionally, it provides services such as optical, pharmacy, photo processing, and travel.

Short History of Costco Wholesale Corporation:

• 1976 – Costco was founded by James Sinegal and Jeffrey Brotman.
• 1983 – The first Costco warehouse opened in Seattle.
• 1993 – Costco merged with Price Club, effectively doubling the size of the company.
• 1997 – The company changed its name to Costco Wholesale Corporation.
• 2000s – Expanded its business internationally to countries like Mexico, the UK, and Australia.
• 2009 – James Sinegal is succeeded by W. Craig Jelinek as CEO.
• 2023 – Continues to expand its market presence and enhance member services with e-commerce and sustainability initiatives.