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25. Costco Wholesale
Costco Wholesale
Rank: 25 (Previous rank: 24)
CEO: James D. Sinegal
Compare tool: Costco Wholesale vs. Top 10
Since 2004, Costco's revenues have exploded to $71 billion from $47 billion, a growth spurt that has given the wholesaler massive leverage with its vendors. In November, it flexed that muscle with Coca-Cola, pulling all Coke products from its shelves until the beverage company conceded to its pricing demands.

Costco plans to open 15 new stores this year and approximately two dozen outlets next year, many in international markets. And with the renewal rate among its loyal customers -- all of who pay annual membership fees -- at a staggering 87%, you can bet even more stores are on the way. --P.N.

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Is Costco Wholesale a great company, or what?
Key financials $ millions % change
from 2008
Revenues 71,422.0 -1.5
Profits 1,086.0 -15.3
Assets 21,979.0
Stockholders' equity 10,018.0
Market value (3/26/2010) 26,487.7
Profits as % of  
Revenues 1.5
Assets 4.9
Stockholders' equity 10.8
Earnings per share  
2009 $ 2.47
% change from 2008 -14.5
1999-2009 annual growth rate % 11.1
Total return to investors %
2009 14.3
1999-2009 annual rate 3.3
Rank Company 500
rank
Revenues
($ millions)
1 Costco Wholesale 25 71,422.0
2 Home Depot 29 66,176.0
3 Lowe's 42 47,220.0
4 Best Buy 45 45,015.0
5 Staples 101 24,275.5
6 TJX 119 20,288.4
7 Gap 162 14,197.0
8 Toys "R" Us 171 13,568.0
9 Office Depot 192 12,144.5
10 BJ's Wholesale Club 232 10,187.0
11 GameStop 255 9,078.0
12 Limited Brands 269 8,632.5
13 OfficeMax 313 7,212.1
14 Bed Bath & Beyond 314 7,208.3
15 Ross Stores 316 7,184.2
16 AutoZone 329 6,816.8
17 Barnes & Noble 372 5,596.3
18 Pantry 382 5,472.0
19 Advance Auto Parts 389 5,412.6
20 PetSmart 393 5,336.4
21 Dollar Tree 397 5,231.2
22 Foot Locker 428 4,854.0
23 O'Reilly Automotive 429 4,847.1
24 Big Lots 436 4,726.8
25 TravelCenters of America 440 4,699.8
26 Dick's Sporting Goods 466 4,412.8
27 RadioShack 481 4,276.0
28 Casey's General Stores 485 4,251.5
29 Blockbuster 500 4,161.8
Issue date: May 3, 2010.
Figures are for fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2009.
Interactives
  • A changing landscape
    See how revenues and profits at America's 25 largest companies have risen and fallen over the past decade.
  • Watch Wal-Mart grow
    From a single store in 1962 to more than 4,300 outlets today, see how the biggest retailer has expanded.
Headquarters
MAPS
Costco Wholesale
999 Lake Dr.
Issaquah, WA 98027
425-313-8100
www.costco.com
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Rank # of Fortune 500 Companies
California 57
Texas 57
New York 56
Company 2009 $ (millions)
Exxon Mobil $19,280.0
Microsoft $14,569.0
Wal-Mart Stores $14,335.0
FAQ and methodology
Included in the survey are U.S. incorporated companies filing financial statements with a government agency. This includes private companies... More
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