Costco's membership fee revenue continued to climb in 2024, reaching close to five billion U.S. dollars globally. This marked a significant increase from 2023 and 2022. Notably, Costco's membership revenue outpaced that of Sam's Club, which reported 3.1 billion U.S. dollars in membership fees for the same year. Costco employees Costco continued expanding its workforce significantly in 2022. The company's employee count grew by 16,000 individuals, representing an increase of over five percent compared to the previous year. This brought the total number of employees to 304,000, marking the highest level recorded during the observed period. Notably, Costco has consistently demonstrated a positive trend of employee growth over the past several years. Costco’s locations and net sales As a US-based company, Costco's largest market in 2021 was unsurprisingly the United States. Generating over 138 billion U.S. dollars in net sales, the U.S. market accounted for a significant portion of Costco's overall revenue that year, reinforcing its position as a dominant player in the American retail landscape. While headquartered in the US, Costco has a significant international presence. In addition to its vast network of 614 stores within the United States, the company operated 108 locations in Canada in 2024. This made Canada the second-largest market for Costco that year. Furthermore, Costco had a footprint of over 40 stores in Mexico during the same period.

This timeline depicts Costco's revenue worldwide from 2014 to 2025. The company's global revenue was projected to grow steadily from 145.83 billion in 2018 to almost 200 billion U.S. dollars in 2025.

In 2024, Costco generated 184.1 billion U.S. dollars in revenue from their operations in the United States. In Canada and through its international ventures the company generated 34.9 billion and 35.3 billion U.S. dollars, respectively. Costco Wholesale CorporationCostco 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. 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 249.6 billion U.S. dollars by 2024. The company operates warehouse clubs in a number of countries around the world. However, the vast majority of the retailer’s warehouses are still located in their home market of the United States. Costco Customers Costco stands out among numerous mass merchants by requiring customers to pay a yearly membership fee in order to shop at its locations. In 2023, the majority of Costco’s American customer base fell within the age range of 18 to 49 years. The company takes pride in achieving the highest customer satisfaction rating among all department and discount stores in the United States in the same period.

In 2024, Costco Wholesale Corporation generated total net sales of around 250 billion U.S. dollars worldwide. Of this amount, 101.5 billion U.S. dollars was attributed to Food and Sundries products. This sizable portion underscores the importance of this product segment in driving Costco's overall financial success. The company's ability to offer various high-quality food and household items at competitive prices has been a prominent factor in attracting and retaining a loyal customer base. Costco brand profile in the UK and U.S. Costco enjoys strong brand recognition in the U.S., with 83 percent of grocery store customers aware of the brand. While many customers like and actively use Costco. Loyalty is high, with over 80 percent of users likely to shop there again. However, media buzz surrounding the brand was low in September 2023. While Costco's brand awareness in the UK is slightly lower than in the U.S. at 75%, it still holds a significant presence. However, only 16 percent of UK grocery store customers like Costco, and slightly less actively use it. Customer loyalty is strong, with over 80 percent of users likely to return. However, like the U.S., media buzz surrounding the brand was minimal in September 2023. Costco’s mission Costco's mission is clear: to deliver exceptional value to its members by offering high-quality goods and services at the lowest possible prices. Costco's membership base has continued to expand steadily over the past decade. As of 2024, the company had approximately 76 million paid members worldwide, increasing from 2023. This consistent growth reflects Costco's ongoing commitment to providing exceptional value and service to its members, solidifying its position as a leading global retailer.

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 249.6 billion U.S. dollars by 2024. 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 299 million U.S. dollars as of 2023. 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 2023 survey found that the largest share of Costco’s American customer base is between the ages of 18 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 2023.

costco.com, operated by Costco Wholesale Corporation, is an online store with nationally-focused sales. Its e-commerce net sales are generated almost entirely in the United States. With regards to the product range, costco.com is an all-round online store, with products on offer that cover different categories, such as “Toys, Hobby & DIY”, “Furniture & Appliances” as well as “Food & Personal Care”. The online store was launched in 1998.

This statistic shows the sales share of Costco in Australia in 2017, by household income. High income households contributed to approximately 69.7 percent of Costco sales in Australia for 2017.

As of 2024, Costco operated 890 warehouses worldwide, up from 592 warehouses in 2011. Each year the company has opened new branches and is now one of the top retailers worldwide in terms of revenue. Costco Key Facts Costco opened its first warehouse in 1983 in Seattle, Washington, where the company is still headquartered today. Costco is known for selling bulk goods and requiring a membership in order to shop there. In 2024, Costco boasted nearly 137 million club members worldwide, up from 76.4 million members in 2014. Costco’s net sales have also seen a steady increase over the last several years and amounted to 249.6 billion U.S. dollars in 2024. Costco Consumer Behavior Costco consistently ranks highly in terms of customer satisfaction and retained many loyal customers over the years. In 2023, Costco had a customer satisfaction rating of 82, a higher score than any other department or discount store in the United States. Less than 20 percent of Costco shoppers in the United States are between the ages of 50 and 64 years, making up the smallest share of Costco’s customer base of any age group.

In the fiscal year ended January 31, 2024, Walmart's revenue amounted to approximately 648 billion U.S. dollars worldwide. Compared to a year earlier, the retailer's revenue increased by six percent. Walmart, formerly known as Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., is one of the most well-known and valuable brands in the world. The company operates discount stores, supercenters, and neighborhood markets globally.

Powerhouse of retail in both domestic and international markets
Walmart deals in a wide variety of products, such as groceries, apparel, furniture, home appliances, and electronics. The company operates through three distinct business segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam’s Club. Walmart’s strongest segment, in terms of revenue, is Walmart U.S., which operates retail stores in the company’s domestic market of the United States. This segment also includes Walmart’s U.S. eCommerce website: walmart.com. The company’s Walmart International and Sam’s Club business divisions operate globally generating revenue through retail, wholesale, membership club, and online product sales.

How do other leading retailers compare to Walmart, in terms of sales revenue?
Walmart is far ahead of its rivals in the global fast moving consumer goods sector, with nearly double the retail sales of its closest competitors. In terms of historic sales revenue, Amazon and Costco have also witnessed the steady growth experienced by Walmart over the past number of years.

In 2022, the warehouse clubs and supercenters industry in the United States generated a revenue of 645.2 billion U.S. dollars. The warehouse clubs and supercenters industry consists of retailers such as Sam's Club (operated by Walmart), and Costco Corporation. Other competitors on a smaller scale include BJ's Wholesale Club.

This statistic shows the top five large format value housewares retailers in the United States in 2018, by housewares sales. In 2018, Walmart had housewares revenue of 20.9 billion U.S. dollars. Costco had the second highest housewares revenue of the large format value retailers in 2018, with 14.24 billion U.S. dollars.

In 2023, total retail and food service sales reached 8.33 trillion U.S. dollars for the first time in the United States. This is more than four times the sales numbers that were generated in 1992, not adjusting for inflation.

Leading retailers and store types

In 2022, the leading food and grocery retailer in the United States was by far Walmart, which generated sales numbers of close to 421 billion U.S. dollars that year. The Kroger Co., Costco Wholesale Club, and Ahold Delhaize were also among the top U.S. retailers. With a grocery market share of almost 60 percent, the supermarket was the top store type in 2018. The warehouse clubs and superstores category stood in second place, accounting for almost a quarter of the U.S. market.

Consumer habits

The American consumer made an average of a little more than one and a half trips to the grocery store per week in 2022. The average amount of trips has noticeably decreased, compared to a decade earlier. In recent times, online grocery shopping has also become an option for consumers. The concept is projected to grow considerably in the coming years, reaching roughly 188 billion U.S. dollars’ worth of sales numbers in the United States by 2024.

In 2019, almost 90 percent of Americans with an income below 35,000 U.S. dollars stated that they bought private label options instead of name brands. Despite the disparity in income, deal-seeking behavior among all consumers in the United States was, in many cases, relatively similar.

Consumer packaged goods

In 2019, dollar sales of private label consumer packaged goods (CPG) grew by almost four percent in the United States. CPG private label sales growth has increased considerably since 2016, while the sales growth rate for national brands remained between roughly one to two percent. In 2018, about thirty percent of Costco’s CPG sales numbers were achieved through private labels in the United States.

Private label product categories

Products are increasingly sold under private labels by companies in order to increase overall sales numbers. This was especially the case for milk in 2018: private labels within this product category generated almost half of the total retail sales numbers in the United States that year.

This statistic shows the leading retailers of houseware products in the United States in 2018, by housewares sales. In 2018, Walmart had the highest houseware sales at 20.9 billion U.S. dollars, which was over six billion more than Costco in second place, who had sales of 14.2 billion U.S. dollars.

Global retail sales were projected to amount to around 32.8 trillion U.S. dollars by 2026, up from approximately 26.4 trillion U.S. dollars in 2021. The retail industry encompasses the journey of a good or service. This typically starts with the manufacturing of a product and ends with said product being purchased by a consumer from a retailer. Retail establishments come in many forms such as grocery stores, restaurants, and bookstores.

American retailers worldwide
As a result of globalization and various trade agreements between markets and countries, many retailers are capable of doing business on a global scale. Many of the world’s leading retailers are American companies. Walmart and Amazon are examples of such American retailers. The success of U.S. retailers can also be seen through their performance in online retail.

Retail in the U.S.
The domestic retail market in the United States is a lucrative market, in which many companies compete. Walmart, a retail chain offering low prices and a wide selection of products, is the leading retailer in the United States. Amazon, The Kroger Co., Costco, and Target are a selection of other leading U.S. retailers.

The retail industry encompasses the journey of a good or service. This typically starts with the manufacture of a product and ends with said product being purchased by a consumer from a retailer. As a result of globalization and various trade agreements between markets and countries, many retailers are capable of doing business on a global scale. Based on retail sales generated in the financial year 2021, Walmart was by far the world's leading retailer with retail revenues reaching over 572 billion U.S. dollars.

U.S. companies dominate global retail
Many of the world’s leading retailers are American companies. Walmart and Amazon are examples of American retailers doing business around the world. The domestic retail market in the United States is also very competitive, with many companies recording substantial retail sales. The success of U.S. retailers can also be seen through their performance in online retail. Amazon is a prime example of this, with the company’s sales revenue flourishing over the previous years in line with the rise of e-Commerce worldwide.

In 2024, holiday retail sales in the United States were forecast to reach about 979.5 billion U.S. dollars. This figure was given as a conservative value; retail sales over the holiday season was projected to be between 979.5 billion U.S. dollars to 989 billion U.S. dollars in 2024. Holiday retail sales have risen substantially since the turn of the century, with holiday retail sales amounting to approximately 416 billion U.S. dollars back in 2002. Holiday retail sales are a fraction of total retail sales in the United States which were around seven trillion U.S. dollars in 2023. Holiday season e-commerce is also on the rise, with increasing numbers of retailers and consumers going digital. What makes up the winter holiday season in the United States? The winter holiday season includes shopping occasions such as Thanksgiving weekend - which is made up of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday, Super Saturday – the last Saturday before Christmas, and Christmas itself. Thanksgiving weekend is a very popular time for consumers to partake in holiday shopping. In 2022, over 100 million U.S. consumers shopped on Black Friday. Leading companies in U.S. retail The domestic retail market in the United States is very competitive, with many companies recording substantial retail sales. Walmart, a retail chain offering low prices and a wide selection of products, is the leading retailer in the United States. Amazon, The Kroger Co., Costco, and Target are a selection of other leading U.S. retailers.

Total retail sales in the United States were projected to amount to 7.9 trillion U.S. dollars in 2026, up from around 6.6 trillion U.S. dollars in 2021. These figures included e-commerce and retail sales. Retail establishments come in many forms such as grocery stores, restaurants, and bookstores. There are around four million retail establishments in the United States.

Leading companies in U.S. retail
The domestic retail market in the United States is very competitive, with many companies recording substantial retail sales. Walmart, a retail chain offering low prices and a wide selection of products, is the leading retailer in the United States. Amazon, The Kroger Co., Costco, and Target are a selection of other leading U.S. retailers.

American retailers worldwide
Many of the world’s leading retailers are American companies. Walmart and Amazon are examples of American retailers doing business on a global scale. The success of U.S. retailers can also be seen through their performance in online retail. Amazon is a prime example of this, with the company’s sales revenue flourishing over the previous years.

In 2024, retail e-commerce in Canada was forecast to generate over 65.5 billion U.S. dollars in revenues. According to estimates, this figure is projected to increase to 104 billion U.S. dollars by 2029.

Successful e-commerce segments in Canada

Canada's booming e-commerce sector owes more than half of its retail sales to two particularly lucrative segments: fashion and electronics, which captured 27 and 25 percent of all e-commerce retail sales in Canada in 2022, respectively. With nearly ten billion U.S. dollars in e-commerce net sales, Amazon was the leading online store in Canada in 2021, outperforming competitors like Walmart and Costco by an impressive margin. Ranking second, walmart.ca generated around 3.77 billion U.S. dollars in e-commerce net sales that year.

Fashion leads the way

Fashion proved to be a successful e-commerce segment in many countries around the world, and Canada was no exception, as the most popular online stores in the fashion segment raked in millions of dollars in e-commerce net sales, led by gapcanada.ca with 565 million U.S. dollars in 2021. Like many other countries in the world, Canada's fashion e-commerce sector was also disrupted by a Chinese newcomer that catapulted itself to the centerstage of the fast fashion world: Shein was the most downloaded fashion and beauty shopping app in Canada in June 2022, with its 246,000 monthly downloads overshadowing those of competitors. In comparison, long-established fast fashion titan Zara only amassed 57,000 downloads that same month.

As of June 2022, Amazon accounted for 37.8 percent of the U.S. e-commerce market, making it the country’s leading online retailer by a considerable margin. Second place was occupied by the e-commerce site of the retail chain Walmart, with a 6.3 percent market share, followed in third place by Apple, with 3.9 percent.

Amazon’s continued success

Amazon has long dominated the e-commerce market as the world’s favorite online marketplace. In 2022, company hit over half a trillion U.S. dollars in net sales. The United States is by far Amazon’s most profitable market, as the U.S. branch generated over 356 billion U.S. dollars in sales in 2022. Germany ranked second, with 33 billion dollars, followed closely by the United Kingdom with 30 billion dollars.

Online shopping on the rise

Online shopping has grown significantly over the past decade, with more people turning to the internet for their shopping needs. The proof is in the numbers: the U.S. e-commerce industry was worth almost a trillion dollars in 2023. By 2027, forecasts show that the online market will grow to more than 50 percent. U.S. online shoppers purchase fashion and food and beverages the most via the internet.