Stock Report: Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST) Report Updated: Nov 16, 2009  |  Print This Page

Costco Wholesale Corporation operates membership warehouses that offer a selection of branded and private label products in a range of merchandise categories in no-frills, self-service warehouse facilities. The company’s product categories include candy, snack foods, tobacco, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and cleaning and institutional supplies; appliances, electronics, health and beauty aids, hardware, office supplies, garden and patio, sporting goods, furniture, and automotive supplies; dry and institutionally packaged foods; apparel, domestics, jewelry, housewares, media, home furnishings, cameras, and small appliances; meat, bakery, deli, and produce; and gas stations, pharmacy, food court, optical, one-hour photo, hearing aid, and travel. It offers Business and Gold Star (individual) memberships. As of October 8, 2009, Costco operated a chain of 560 warehouses comprising 407 in 40 states and Puerto Rico, 77 in Canada, 21 in the United Kingdom, 7 in Korea, 6 in Taiwan, and 9 in Japan, as well as 32 warehouses in Mexico and 1 in Australia. It also offers its products through costco.com in the U.S. and through costco.ca in Canada. The company, formerly known as Costco Companies, Inc., was founded in 1976 and is based in Issaquah, Washington.