Costco's Global Expansion Reaches 859 Stores Worldwide, But U.S. Remains Company's Biggest Market

Costco is a major U.S. retailer that has expanded globally, with 859 total locations as of August 2023. The U.S. has 591 stores, while international locations account for 31% of stores.

Costco's biggest international markets are Canada, Mexico, Japan, and the UK. It recently expanded into China, opening 4 stores since 2019.

In the U.S., California has the most Costco locations with 134 stores. Some small states like Rhode Island and Wyoming have no locations.

Costco relies more on membership fees than markups, which may explain its lack of stores in less populated U.S. states.

While Costco warehouses have a similar format globally, some international stores adapt to their surroundings like the underground store in Mexico City.