Founded in 1976, Costco is a membership warehouse club where customers can purchase everyday items in bulk at discounted prices. Costco is also beloved as the home of the $4.95 rotisserie chicken and $1.50 hot dog. Frequent shoppers may be familiar with the Costco logo and may have heard rumors that Costco is owned by mysterious Chinese interests. So, what does Costco stand for anyways and are the rumors about Chinese ownership true?
What does Costco stand for?
Persons familiar with Costco’s operations and history indicate the letters COSTCO stand for COST COmpany.
Why is Costco called Costco?
The name evolved with the history of the company. Costco, then called Price Club, started in 1976. In 1993, Costco shareholders approved the merger of Price Company and Price Club, forming a new company called Price/Costco, Inc. In 1997, the company officially changed names from Price/Costco to Costco Companies and in 1999 the company again changed its name to Costco Wholesale Corporation (Costco History). Thus, the name evolved as the company grew, there is no special meaning other than corporate management felt it sounded appropriate.
Costco is NOT A Chinese company
For several years a rumor has been spread online that says Costco stands for “China Off Shore Trading Company”. This rumor has been perpetrated by some websites (here) and seems to persist due to the similar sounding names of Costco and some Chinese companies. This rumor is not correct. Fact-checking website SNOPES.com indicates:
Who owns Costco?
If Costco isn’t owned by China, then who does own it?
The answer is: Costco is an American company.
While Costco has majority owned subsidiaries in Taiwan and Korea, Costco Wholesale Corporation is not a Chinese company. Costco is incorporated in the State of Washington in the United States. Most of the company’s business is in America. Approximately 600 of the company’s 871 warehouse locations are inside the United States and Puerto Rico (Costco). Costco’s management team is primarily American. For example, the companies COO Mr. Ron M. Vachris, and, CEO Mr. W. Craig Jelinek, are both American. Finally, top institutional owners of Costco (COST) shares are largely major U.S. banks and investing organizations – as shown in the table below.
So, what does Costco stand for? Costco means Cost Company. It is not run by a shadowy Chinese cabal. Costco is an American lead and owned company that engages in business mostly in the United States.
If you are a fan of the retailer, consider reading our other articles on Costco:
Can You Shop at Costco Without A Membership?
Can You Get a Free Trial Membership at Costco?
How To Buy Costco Gas Without A Membership
Is Costco Gas the same as Exxon, Shell and Chevron?
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James Hendrickson is an internet entrepreneur, blogging junky, hunter and personal finance geek. When he’s not lurking in coffee shops in Portland, Oregon, you’ll find him in the Pacific Northwest’s great outdoors. James has a masters degree in Sociology from the University of Maryland at College Park and a Bachelors degree on Sociology from Earlham College. He loves individual stocks, bonds and precious metals.
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