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Costco Wholesale Corporation operates an international chain of membership warehouses, mainly under the "Costco
Wholesale" name, that carry quality, brand-name merchandise at substantially lower prices than are typically found at
conventional wholesale or retail sources. The warehouses are designed to help small- to medium-sized businesses reduce
costs in purchasing for resale and for everyday business use. Individuals also may purchase for their personal needs. 
Costco warehouses present one of the largest and most exclusive product category selections to be found under a single roof.
Categories include groceries, candy, appliances, television and media, automotive supplies, tires, toys, hardware, sporting
goods, jewelry, watches, cameras, books, housewares, apparel, health and beauty aids, furniture, office supplies and office
equipment. Costco is known for carrying top-quality national and regional brands, with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Members also can shop for private label Kirkland Signature™ products, designed to be of equal or better quality than national
brands, including juice, cookies, coffee, housewares, luggage, clothing and detergent. The Company also operates self-service
gasoline stations at a number of its U.S., Canada, Australia, Japan, United Kingdom, Spain, Mexico, Taiwan, and Iceland
locations.
Additionally, Costco Wholesale Industries, a division of the Company, operates manufacturing businesses, including special
food packaging, optical laboratories, meat processing and jewelry distribution. These businesses have a common goal of
providing members with high quality products at substantially lower prices.
According to Craig Jelinek, the Company's president, CEO and director, "Costco is able to offer lower prices and better values
by eliminating virtually all the frills and costs historically associated with conventional wholesalers and retailers, including
salespeople, fancy buildings, delivery, billing and accounts receivable. We run a tight operation with extremely low overhead
which enables us to pass dramatic savings to our members."
Costco is open only to members and offers three types of membership: Executive, Business and Gold Star. Executive
Members receive additional savings on Costco Services such as auto and home insurance, Costco Auto Program, check
printing, identity protection, payment processing and bottled water delivery. Executive Members in the U.S earn an annual 2%
Reward (up to $1,000) on qualified Costco purchases. (Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. See the membership counter
for details.) All types of membership include one free Household Card. Costco membership cards are accepted at Costco
locations worldwide and online at Costco.com.
Business Members qualify by owning or operating a business, and pay an annual fee ($60 in the U.S.) to shop for resale,
business and personal use. This fee includes one free Household Card. Business Members may purchase additional
membership cards ($60 each) for partners or associates in the business.
Gold Star Members pay a $60 annual fee (in the U.S.), to shop for personal use. Individuals who don’t own a business may
sign up for a Gold Star Membership. This fee includes one free Household Card.
Costco warehouses generally are open seven days a week for all members.
Costco is a Washington corporation, publicly traded under the Nasdaq ticker symbol "COST", with its home office in Issaquah,
Washington.
A more complete description of the Company and its business is contained in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
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Key Information
Number of warehouses: 785 (as of 11/15/19)
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Areas of operation: 546 locations in 44 U.S. States & Puerto Rico;
100 locations in nine Canadian provinces;
29 locations in the United Kingdom;
13 locations in Taiwan;
16 locations in Korea;
26 locations in Japan;
11 locations in Australia;
39 locations in Mexico;
2 locations in Spain
1 location in Iceland
1 location in France
1 location in China
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