Costco announced the opening of new stores in the United States, which will begin operations this month. If you’re a frequent customer of this warehouse chain, here’s when and where the new locations will be.
How many new stores will Costco open?
According to the company, it will open six stores this month in various locations across the country. Additionally, over the next six months, it plans to open six more stores in the United States, along with two in Canada and four more in other countries around the world, bringing its total number of locations worldwide to over 900.
This is part of the company’s strategy to open between 25 and 30 new stores each fiscal year, especially in the United States.
Where will Costco open new stores?
The new stores will primarily be located in California and Texas. Here are the locations:
- Brentwood, California
- Highland, California
- Sharon, Massachusetts
- Genesee County, Michigan
- Prosper, Texas
- Weatherford, Texas
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When will the new Costco stores open?
Good news! The two stores in California, located in Brentwood and Highland, will start operations this Friday and Saturday, respectively. The other four locations in Massachusetts, Michigan, and Texas will open next week:
- Sharon: March 12
- Genesee County: March 13
- Prosper: March 14
- Weatherford: March 15
How many Costco locations are there in the United States?
Currently, the company operates 897 stores worldwide, 617 of which are in the United States and Puerto Rico. With the opening of six new locations in the United States, the total number of stores will reach 903.
Additionally, the company has a presence in several countries, with 109 stores in Canada, 41 in Mexico, 36 in Japan, 29 in the UK, 19 in South Korea, 15 in Australia, 14 in Taiwan, 7 in China, 5 in Spain, and 2 in France, with one store each in Iceland, New Zealand, and Sweden.
Can I shop at Costco without a membership?
To shop at any Costco warehouse, you must be a member. However, those without a membership can purchase prescription medications freely or buy any item in the warehouse using a gift card.
What types of memberships does Costco offer?
Gold Star Membership
This membership is ideal for those who shop occasionally, as it comes with a more affordable annual fee. It also includes the following benefits:
- Access to the warehouse
- Access to Costco gas stations
- Free household card
- Access to Costco services, such as car and home insurance, Costco Auto Program, pet insurance, and bottled water delivery.
Executive Membership
This membership offers a 2% annual reward, along with exclusive discounts and promotions. The benefits include:
- All the benefits of Gold Star
- 2% annual reward on qualifying purchases
- Free household card
- Access to Costco services with discounts on selected services
How much do Costco memberships cost?
- Gold Star Membership: $65 per year
- Executive Membership: $130 per year
History of Costco
The company dates back to 1976, when Sol Price founded Price Club in San Diego, California. Initially, the company focused exclusively on serving business customers, but over time, it expanded its strategy to include individual consumers through a membership system.
In 1983, Sinegal and Jeff Brotman founded Costco Wholesale in Seattle, Washington. The company grew rapidly, reaching $3 billion in sales in just six years.
In 1993, Price Club and Costco merged, forming PriceCostco, which had 206 stores and annual sales of $16 billion. Eventually, in 1997, the company adopted its current name: Costco Wholesale.
The company’s operational strategy focuses on maintaining low costs and passing those savings onto its members by offering a limited selection of products characterized by quality, price, brand, and distinctive features. Its membership model has been a differentiating factor in the retail industry. Today, Costco has a global presence in key markets and has surpassed $64 billion in annual sales.
