Costco Total Stores Worldwide And By Country: U.S., Canada, Mexico, etc.

Brazilian coffee. Pexels Images.

This article outlines Costco’s global warehouse distribution, with a breakdown by country. While the majority of Costco’s stores are situated in the U.S., the company has significantly expanded its international footprint.

Today, Costco operates warehouses in several key countries, including China, reflecting its growth and adaptability in the global market.

Let’s look at the numbers!

Investors interested in Costco’s other key statistics may find more resources on these pages:

• Costco comparable sales breakdown: U.S., Canada, and International,
• Costco e-commerce revenue and comparable sales, and
• Costco financial health: debt level, payment due, and liquidity.

Please use the table of contents to navigate this page.

Definitions

To help readers understand the content better, the following terms and glossaries have been provided.

Warehouses: Costco’s warehouses are large, membership-based retail facilities operated by Costco Wholesale Corporation. They function as warehouse clubs, offering members a wide variety of products at wholesale prices. These warehouses are characterized by their bulk-item offerings, minimalistic layout, and efficient operations, which allow Costco to maintain competitive pricing.

Products sold at Costco warehouses range from groceries and household goods to electronics, furniture, and even services like optical care and travel booking. The company focuses on high-quality items, including its own private-label brand, Kirkland Signature, to ensure customer satisfaction. Unlike traditional retail stores, Costco emphasizes a no-frills shopping experience, helping them maintain low costs and pass on savings to their members.

Average Warehouse Space: Costco’s average warehouse space is approximately 145,000 to 146,000 square feet. This size reflects Costco’s focus on efficiency and bulk sales, allowing them to stock a wide variety of products while maintaining a streamlined shopping experience.

The warehouses are designed with an industrial layout, featuring concrete floors and towering steel shelves to maximize storage and minimize operational costs. Some Costco warehouses are even larger, with certain locations exceeding 230,000 square feet, while smaller ones may be around 80,000 square feet. This variation depends on the specific market and customer demand in the area

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Why are Costco’s warehouses located mainly in the U.S.?

Costco’s warehouses are predominantly located in the U.S. due to several strategic and market-driven factors:

• Home Market Advantage: Costco was founded in the U.S., and its headquarters are in Issaquah, Washington. This gives the company a strong foundation and deep understanding of the domestic market, allowing it to cater effectively to U.S. consumers.

• Large Consumer Base: The U.S. has a vast population with a high demand for bulk purchasing, which aligns perfectly with Costco’s warehouse club model. American consumers are accustomed to shopping in bulk for cost savings, making the U.S. an ideal market for Costco’s business strategy.

• Established Infrastructure: Costco has a well-developed supply chain and distribution network in the U.S., which supports efficient operations and cost management. This infrastructure makes it easier to expand and maintain a large number of warehouses domestically.

• Membership Model Success: The membership-based model has been highly successful in the U.S., with millions of loyal members driving consistent revenue. This success encourages Costco to continue focusing on its home market.

• Economic and Cultural Fit: The U.S. economy and consumer culture are well-suited to Costco’s value-oriented approach, which emphasizes quality products at competitive prices.

While the U.S. remains Costco’s primary market, the company has been expanding internationally to tap into new growth opportunities. Countries like China, Japan, and Canada are becoming increasingly important as Costco diversifies its global presence.

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Total Warehouses Worldwide

Costco-warehouses-global

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The definition of Costco’s warehouses is available here: warehouses.

By the close of fiscal year 2024, Costco’s global footprint had expanded to an impressive 890 warehouse locations, marking a notable increase of 30 units compared to the 861 reported in 2023. This steady growth highlights Costco’s commitment to meeting increasing consumer demand and strengthening its position as a leader in the wholesale retail sector.

Taking a broader perspective, Costco’s expansion over the past decade showcases its remarkable trajectory. Since fiscal year 2014, the company has grown its store count from 663 units to 890 units — a substantial 34% increase over 10 years. This sustained growth reflects the company’s ability to successfully penetrate new markets and expand its presence in existing ones.

Costco’s strategic growth is driven by its focus on customer value and operational efficiency. The company has not only reinforced its dominance in North America but also significantly grown its international footprint, opening stores in key markets like China, Japan, and Australia.

Such global expansion aligns with Costco’s long-term vision of increasing accessibility and capturing opportunities in emerging and mature markets alike. These developments underscore Costco’s adaptability and its commitment to providing a unique, cost-effective shopping experience on a global scale.

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Average Warehouse Space

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The definition of Costco’s warehouses and average warehouse space is available here: warehouses and average warehouse space.

Costco’s average warehouse space has expanded steadily over the past decade, growing from 144,000 square feet in fiscal year 2014 to 147,000 square feet by fiscal year 2024. This increase reflects the company’s strategic focus on accommodating broader product categories, enhancing customer experience, and optimizing operational capacity.

From fiscal year 2019 to 2022, the average store space remained relatively stable at around 146,000 square feet. However, Costco has indicated that its newer warehouse designs are slightly larger, allowing for more efficient layouts and an improved shopping environment for its members. These larger locations also enable Costco to better meet growing customer demand, particularly for services like fresh produce, pharmacy, optical, and food court areas.

Costco’s warehouse floor plans prioritize economy and efficiency. The company focuses on maximizing the utility of its selling space, streamlining the handling of merchandise, and maintaining precise inventory control. Unlike conventional retail stores, Costco stores feature a minimalistic, no-frills design.

This approach reinforces its value proposition by reducing unnecessary expenses and enabling competitive pricing. The effectiveness of Costco’s operational model is further supported by its membership structure and stringent control of entrances and exits. These measures are instrumental in minimizing inventory losses (shrinkage) compared to typical retail operations.

By emphasizing high-quality merchandise at low prices and leveraging an efficient design philosophy, Costco ensures the sustainability and scalability of its warehouse operations. This expansion and refinement of warehouse design highlight Costco’s commitment to maintaining its competitive edge while adapting to evolving consumer needs.

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Warehouse YoY Growth

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The definition of Costco’s warehouses and average warehouse space is available here: warehouses and average warehouse space.

In fiscal year 2024, Costco experienced a warehouse growth rate of 3.4%, a slight increase compared to the 2.7% growth reported in 2023.

Over the past five years, from fiscal year 2020 to 2024, Costco’s global store growth averaged 2.6% annually.

Notably, Costco’s location growth has remained relatively steady over the last decade. Fiscal year 2020 marked the lowest growth at 1.7%, while fiscal year 2016 recorded the highest rate at 4.2%.

On a broader scale, from fiscal year 2014 to 2024, Costco’s annual warehouse growth averaged 3%.

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Warehouses In The U.S., Canada, Mexico, Japan, And the U.K.

Warehouse numbers are obtained from Costco’s annual reports.

The definition of Costco’s warehouses and average warehouse space is available here: warehouses and average warehouse space.

The majority of Costco’s warehouses are located in the U.S., underscoring the country’s position as the company’s primary market. As of the end of fiscal year 2024, Costco operated 614 stores in the U.S., reflecting an impressive growth of over 30% compared to the 468 warehouses reported in fiscal year 2014. This expansion highlights Costco’s sustained efforts to meet the growing demand for its wholesale model across the United States.

Internationally, Canada ranks as Costco’s second-largest market, demonstrating the company’s strong presence in North America outside its home country. By the end of fiscal year 2024, Costco had 108 stores in Canada, marking a 22% increase from the 88 locations reported in fiscal year 2014. This growth emphasizes Costco’s ability to successfully cater to Canadian consumers’ preferences for bulk shopping and value-oriented pricing.

Following the U.S. and Canada, Mexico holds the position as Costco’s third-largest market by warehouse count. As of fiscal year 2024, Costco operated 40 locations in Mexico, an increase of 21% over the past decade from the 33 warehouses reported in fiscal year 2014. This growth aligns with Costco’s strategic expansion in Latin America, tapping into a market with growing demand for wholesale shopping options.

Among international markets, Japan showcased one of the highest growth rates for Costco warehouses. By the end of fiscal year 2024, Costco had 35 stores in Japan, a remarkable 75% increase from the 20 locations in fiscal year 2014. This rapid expansion reflects Costco’s success in adapting its model to meet the needs of Japanese consumers while navigating a competitive retail landscape.

In contrast, Costco’s store growth in the U.K. has been more modest. Between fiscal year 2014 and 2024, the number of Costco warehouses in the U.K. increased by only 11%, rising from 26 locations to 29. This slower growth may be influenced by market saturation, competition, or differing shopping preferences in the region.

This global distribution of warehouses illustrates Costco’s strategic focus on maintaining dominance in its home market while capitalizing on growth opportunities in select international regions.

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Warehouses In Korea, Australia, Taiwan, China, And Spain

Warehouse numbers are obtained from Costco’s annual reports.

The definition of Costco’s warehouses and average warehouse space is available here: warehouses and average warehouse space.

Korea stands as Costco’s sixth-largest market by warehouse count. By the end of fiscal year 2024, Costco operated 10 store locations in Korea, marking an impressive growth of 72% compared to the 11 warehouses reported in fiscal year 2014. This expansion underscores Costco’s ability to meet the rising consumer demand and adapt its wholesale model to the Korean market.

Australia has experienced one of the fastest growth rates in Costco’s warehouse network over the past decade. In fiscal year 2014, Costco operated just 6 stores in Australia. By fiscal year 2024, this number had surged to 15 locations, representing a remarkable 150% increase. The robust growth in Australia reflects Costco’s successful efforts to establish itself in a relatively newer market while addressing consumer needs for wholesale shopping.

Taiwan continues to hold a significant position in Costco’s global operations. By the end of fiscal year 2024, Costco had expanded its store count to 14 locations in Taiwan — a 40% increase from the 10 warehouses reported in fiscal year 2014. This growth highlights Costco’s ability to sustain steady progress in an already established market.

China represents one of Costco’s most rapid expansions in recent years. Having opened its first warehouse in fiscal year 2019, Costco grew its presence to 7 warehouse locations by the end of fiscal year 2024 — a phenomenal increase of 700% over just five years. This rapid growth illustrates Costco’s ability to penetrate the Chinese market effectively, leveraging strong demand and high consumer interest in its membership-based model.

Spain has seen steady growth in Costco’s warehouse network as well. By the end of fiscal year 2024, Costco operated 4 stores in Spain — a significant increase from the single location reported in 2014. This growth reflects Costco’s gradual expansion in the European market, showcasing its ability to adapt to local consumer preferences.

This global expansion of warehouse locations demonstrates Costco’s strategic approach to scaling its operations across diverse markets while catering to regional demand.

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Warehouses In France, Iceland, New Zealand, And Sweden

Warehouse numbers are obtained from Costco’s annual reports.

The definition of Costco’s warehouses and average warehouse space is available here: warehouses and average warehouse space.

By the end of fiscal year 2024, Costco operated only 2 stores in France, reflecting a relatively modest presence in one of Europe’s largest economies. This highlights Costco’s cautious expansion strategy in the French market, possibly influenced by local competition, regulatory considerations, or differing consumer preferences.

Meanwhile, Iceland had just 1 warehouse as of fiscal year 2024, a number that has remained unchanged since fiscal year 2017. This static growth suggests that Costco’s single location in Iceland may have reached market saturation, effectively meeting the demand within the country’s limited population size and retail landscape.

In the Asia-Pacific region, Costco maintained 1 warehouse in New Zealand as of fiscal year 2024. This single location underscores Costco’s initial foothold in the country, which may represent a strategic testing phase to assess market potential and consumer response before pursuing further expansion.

Similarly, Sweden also had only 1 Costco location by the end of fiscal year 2024, reflecting a cautious approach to entering and navigating the Nordic market. This single location suggests that Costco is exploring its potential in Sweden while evaluating regional shopping habits and competition.

These numbers reveal Costco’s focused and measured growth in smaller and less saturated markets, balancing the company’s global ambitions with localized strategies.

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Percentage Of Warehouses In The U.S., Canada, Mexico, Japan, And The U.K.

Warehouse numbers are obtained from Costco’s annual reports.

The definition of Costco’s warehouses and average warehouse space is available here: warehouses and average warehouse space.

As of fiscal year 2024, Costco’s total stores in the United States represented 69% of its total global locations, affirming the country’s status as the largest market for Costco worldwide. While this figure reflects a slight decrease from the 70.6% reported in 2014, the U.S. remains Costco’s cornerstone market, housing the majority of its warehouse facilities. This modest decline in share is likely due to Costco’s growing focus on expanding its international presence.

Canada holds the position as Costco’s second-largest market in terms of warehouse percentage globally. By the end of fiscal year 2024, Canada’s share of warehouses stood at 12.1%, down marginally from 13.3% in 2014. Despite the slight dip, Canada continues to play a crucial role in Costco’s North American operations, underscoring its importance as a key international market.

Mexico accounted for 4.6% of Costco’s total warehouse locations as of fiscal year 2024, positioning it as the third-largest market. Meanwhile, Japan represented 3.9% of global warehouses in the same period, reflecting its prominence in Costco’s Asian operations. The United Kingdom, though smaller in comparison, contributed 3.3% to Costco’s worldwide warehouse count in fiscal year 2024, showcasing a steady yet modest presence in Europe.

Together, these five countries — comprising the United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and the United Kingdom — accounted for an impressive 93% of Costco’s global warehouse locations by the end of fiscal year 2024. This consolidated presence highlights Costco’s strategic focus on key markets that drive its revenue and membership base while steadily expanding into newer territories.

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Insight

Regions like Asia and North America dominate Costco’s global revenue contribution, driven by the U.S., Canada, Japan, and emerging markets like China.

While Europe remains a smaller contributor, its gradual warehouse growth, particularly in countries like Spain and France, signals Costco’s long-term interest in diversifying its international presence.

These trends emphasize Costco’s strategy of maintaining a dominant presence in established markets like the U.S. while pursuing sustainable growth in international markets.

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References and Credits

1. All financial figures presented were obtained and referenced from Costco’s annual reports published on the company’s investor relations page: Costco Investor Relations.

2. Pexels Images.

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