Costco Wholesale Corp
NASDAQ:COST

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Costco Wholesale Corp
NASDAQ:COST
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Price: 898.38 USD 0.28% Market Closed
Market Cap: 398.1B USD

Costco Wholesale Corp
Investor Relations

Costco Wholesale Corp., a titan of the retail industry, emerged from humble beginnings to redefine how consumers experience value shopping. Founded in 1976 by James Sinegal and Jeffrey Brotman, Costco's journey began with a simple yet powerful ethos: to provide quality goods and services at the lowest possible prices. Unlike traditional retailers, Costco operates on a membership-only model, charging customers an annual fee for the privilege of accessing its wide range of products. This membership system generates a steady stream of revenue and fosters a sense of exclusivity among its shoppers, who are greeted with everything from electronics and groceries to luxury goods and vacation packages. The company's vast warehouses, designed for efficiency and cost savings, allow customers to purchase goods in bulk, further enhancing the value proposition.

What truly sets Costco apart is its business model, which emphasizes high sales volume and rapid inventory turnover, allowing it to negotiate competitive prices with suppliers. A cornerstone of its success is the razor-thin markup strategy; Costco is known for capping markups on all goods, ensuring that customers find bargains they may not encounter elsewhere. The company's operations extend into ancillary businesses, including gas stations, food courts, and optical centers, each contributing marginally to profits but significantly to customer loyalty and foot traffic. By maintaining a streamlined selection of items—typically favoring high-quality, private-label brands—Costco achieves economies of scale that reinforce its cost leadership. Its dedication to employee satisfaction, with industry-leading wages and benefits, reflects a corporate philosophy that happy employees lead to happy customers, further driving its robust membership renewals and financial stability.

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Last Earnings Call
Fiscal Period
Q4 2025
Call Date
Sep 25, 2025
AI Summary
Q4 2025

Strong Q4 Results: Costco reported Q4 net income of $2.61 billion ($5.87 per share), up 11% from last year, and net sales of $84.43 billion, up 8%.

Membership Growth: Paid members reached 81 million (up 6.3%), with executive memberships up 9.3%, and membership fee income up 14%.

Margins: Gross margin improved by 13 basis points, driven by supply chain efficiencies and higher Kirkland Signature penetration, while SG&A was well managed despite wage increases.

Expansion Plans: 27 new warehouses opened in FY25 (total 914), with plans for 35 more in FY26, highlighting ongoing domestic and international expansion.

Digital Momentum: E-commerce sales exceeded $19.6 billion, up 15%, and site traffic grew 27%. New digital tools and member benefits drove upgrades and engagement.

Outlook & Tariffs: Management expects stable growth despite macro uncertainty, with a proactive strategy to offset tariffs and inflation while maintaining value for members.

Executive Member Perks: Extended hours and new executive benefits drove meaningful member upgrades and contributed about 1% to weekly U.S. sales.

Key Financials
Net Income
$2.61 billion
Earnings Per Share
$5.87
Net Sales
$84.43 billion
Full Year Net Sales
just under $270 billion
E-commerce Sales
over $19.6 billion
Comparable Sales
5.7%
Comparable Sales (adjusted for gas deflation and FX)
6.4%
E-commerce Comparable Sales
13.6%
Membership Fee Income
$1.72 billion
Total Paid Members
81 million
Executive Memberships
38.7 million
Total Cardholders
145.2 million
U.S. and Canada Membership Renewal Rate
92.3%
Worldwide Membership Renewal Rate
89.8%
Gross Margin
11.13%
SG&A Rate
9.21%
Core-on-Core Margins
higher by 29 basis points
Traffic or Shopping Frequency
increased 3.7% worldwide
Average Transaction or Ticket
up 1.9% worldwide
Capex (Q4)
$1.97 billion
Capex (Full Year)
a little under $5.5 billion
Warehouse Count
914 worldwide
Digitally Enabled Sales (FY25)
more than $27 billion
Presentation
Earnings Call Recording
Other Earnings Calls

Management

Mr. Ron M. Vachris
President, CEO & Director

Ron M. Vachris is an established executive at Costco Wholesale Corporation, a leading global retailer known for its membership-only warehouse clubs. Ron Vachris serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the company. Ron Vachris has been with Costco for many years, during which he has gained extensive experience and knowledge in various aspects of the company's operations. Throughout his career at Costco, he has held multiple key positions that have equipped him with a thorough understanding of warehouse operations, merchandising, and overall business strategy. This has made him an integral part of the company's executive team. As Chief Operating Officer, Vachris is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of Costco's warehouse clubs, ensuring that the company maintains its high standards of customer service and operational efficiency. His leadership plays a crucial role in the continued growth and success of the company, contributing to Costco's reputation for delivering value to its members across its global locations.

Mr. Richard A. Galanti
Executive VP & Director

Richard A. Galanti is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Costco Wholesale Corporation, one of the largest retail companies in the world known for its membership-only warehouse clubs. Galanti joined Costco in 1984 and has been instrumental in the company's financial management and strategic expansion over the years. His tenure with Costco spans several decades, during which he has seen the company grow significantly, both domestically and internationally. As CFO, Galanti is responsible for overseeing Costco's financial operations, including financial planning, risk management, and investor relations. His expertise in financial management has helped Costco maintain its competitive edge in the retail industry, known for its low prices and efficient operations. Under his leadership, Costco has successfully navigated various economic challenges, maintaining steady growth and profitability. Galanti is known for his strategic approach to cost management and his commitment to the company's core principles of offering high-quality products at low prices. His role as a spokesperson during earnings calls and investor meetings reflects his importance in shaping Costco's financial strategies and communicating its financial health to stakeholders. His contributions have been pivotal in reinforcing Costco's position as a leading retail giant.

Contacts

Address
WASHINGTON
Issaquah
999 Lake Dr
Contacts
+14253138100.0
www.costco.com