Over the last several years, Costco has seen a yearly increase in its global net sales, rising from 110.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2014 to 138.43 billion U.S. dollars by 2018. Costco has made a name for itself worldwide as a members-only wholesale retailer with warehouse style stores.

Costco in the U.S.

Costco opened its first warehouse in Seattle, Washington in 1983 and has since expanded to become one of the most respected and valuable retailers in the United States and worldwide. Among the top three mass market retailers in the United States: Walmart, Costco, and Target; Costco had the highest average sales volume per store, at 182.5 million U.S. dollars as of 2017.

Costco Customers

Costco sets itself apart from many other mass merchants by requiring customers to pay a yearly membership fee in order to shop at its locations. A 2018 survey found that the largest share of Costco’s American customer base is between the ages of 30 and 49 years. The company also prides itself in having the highest customer satisfaction rating of any department or discount store in the United States in 2018.