Costco Wholesale is a multinational American multinational retailer that operates a membership-based warehouse club model. Founded in 1983 by James Sinegal and Jeffrey H. Brotman, it has grown to become one of the world's largest retailers.
The store offers a wide range of products, including fresh produce, meat, dairy products, bakery items, and prepared foods. Additionally, Costco provides a vast selection of electronics, clothing, home appliances, furniture, and general merchandise at discounted prices to its members.
Costco is known for its low prices due to its business model, which focuses on bulk sales and minimizing costs through efficient operations. This approach enables the retailer to pass savings on to customers.
Members can take advantage of various services offered by Costco, such as pharmacy services, optical centers, and tire centers. The store also provides a range of convenience services like photo printing, document shredding, and business support services.
A key aspect of Costco's appeal is its warehouse layout, which allows members to browse and select products in a no-frills environment. This format enables the retailer to keep costs low while maintaining a vast product selection.
Costco's membership model distinguishes it from traditional retailers by requiring customers to pay an annual fee for access to its warehouses and online shopping.