Founding of Costco
Costco was founded by James Sinegal and Jeffrey Brotman in Seattle, Washington. The first warehouse opened its doors on September 15, 1983.
1983
1985
First Expansion Outside of Seattle
Costco opened its second warehouse in Portland, Oregon, marking the beginning of its expansion beyond Seattle.
1993
Merger with Price Club
Costco merged with Price Club, a similar warehouse retail chain, to form PriceCostco. This merger significantly expanded Costco's footprint and customer base.
1997
Rebranding to Costco Wholesale Corporation
The company rebranded itself as Costco Wholesale Corporation, simplifying its name and solidifying its brand identity.
1999
Launch of Costco.com
Costco launched its e-commerce site, Costco.com, allowing members to shop online for a wide range of products.
2001
First International Expansion
Costco opened its first warehouse outside of North America in the United Kingdom, marking the beginning of its international expansion.
2005
Introduction of Costco Travel
Costco introduced Costco Travel, offering members discounted travel packages, cruises, and rental cars.
2009
First Warehouse in Australia
Costco opened its first warehouse in Australia, expanding its presence in the Asia-Pacific region.
2013
30th Anniversary
Costco celebrated its 30th anniversary, having grown to over 600 warehouses worldwide.
2014
Expansion into Spain
Costco opened its first warehouse in Spain, continuing its European expansion.
2015
Transition to Visa
Costco transitioned from American Express to Visa as its exclusive credit card network in the United States, partnering with Citibank to issue the Costco Anywhere Visa Card.
2017
First Warehouse in France
Costco opened its first warehouse in France, further expanding its European footprint.
2018
Expansion into Iceland
Costco opened its first warehouse in Iceland, marking its presence in the Nordic region.
2020
COVID-19 Pandemic Response
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Costco implemented various safety measures, including special shopping hours for seniors and health care workers, to ensure the safety of its members and employees.
2022
Expansion into New Zealand
Costco opened its first warehouse in New Zealand, continuing its global expansion strategy.
