TOPIC

/ company

Costco

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Costco. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Chairman / President

Hamilton E. James

CEO / Managing Director

W. Craig Jelinek

CFO / Finance Director

Richard A. Galanti

Industry

Retail

Website

costco.com

Headquarters address

999 Lake Drive, Issaquah, WA 98027, USA

Stock Code

NASDAQ:COST

Year founded

1983

Everything is bigger in the US, from crisp packets to portions in restaurants, and first-time visitors to the country for the World Cup are often overwhelmed. Photo: Shutterstock

Food and Drinks

Mouthing Off | How the World Cup has given tourists a new perspective on American food culture

Wide-eyed tourists have marvelled at everything from ranch to jumbo-sized Cheetos containers to gargantuan packs of supermarket meat.

16 Jul 2026 - 4:15AM

China consumption

Will K-pop give South Korean retailers an edge in China market?

27 Jun 2026 - 10:00AM

Mergers & Acquisitions

China’s fast-changing consumers force MNCs to adapt via local alliances

10 Jun 2026 - 8:06AM

United States

US government appeals against judge’s order for Trump tariff refunds

The processing of repayments has already begun, but the appeal could affect the operation, with US$166 billion in revenue at stake.

3 Jun 2026 - 7:39AM

US President Donald Trump holds a chart as he delivers remarks on tariffs at the White House in April 2025. Photo: TNS

US-China relations

Immigration slows, but America’s appetite for ethnic groceries keeps growing

Weee, now topping $1 billion in annualized revenue, says demand for Asian and Latino foods is spreading well beyond immigrant communities.

26 Feb 2026 - 6:52AMvideocam

US-China trade war

Trump lashes out at US Supreme Court, rolls out new 10% global tariffs

Decision threatens administration’s trade agenda; casts shadow on Xi-Trump summit as some China tariffs wiped out before Beijing talks.

21 Feb 2026 - 8:27AMvideocam

Retailing

Sam’s Club cracks China market formula even as foreign retailers shut shop

The warehouse retailer opened 10 new stores in 2025, accelerating expansion in smaller cities like Zhangjiagang and Yangzhou.

17 Feb 2026 - 12:30PM

Shoppers at Sam’s Club in Hangzhou on February 1, 2026. The retailer has introduced products catering to local tastes in the days leading up to the Lunar New Year holiday. Photo: Weibo

China consumption

Flash in the pan: how China’s plant-based meat craze fizzled

The closure of Beyond Meat’s China business, despite heavy financing and marketing, underscores challenges that scuppered many vegan meat firms.

6 Dec 2025 - 7:00PMvideocam

Food and Drinks

‘Never seen a single item sell like this’: Dubai chocolate craze takes over

From Walmart shelves to Costco cakes to croissants and pancakes, Dubai chocolate is turning up all over as brands get creative.

8 Oct 2025 - 6:15PM

US-Iran tensions

US bars Iran’s diplomats from shopping at Costco without government permission

The State Department’s directive requires Iranian envoys in New York to obtain approval to buy luxury goods at US wholesale retailers.

23 Sep 2025 - 9:23AM

Iranian diplomats have been banned from shopping at wholesale shops such as Costco without permission from the State Department. Photo: AP

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s Dah Chong Hong Food Mart to shut stores after 39 years in business

Spokeswoman for food retailer confirms company closing down 28 stores across city.

15 Mar 2024 - 8:01PM

Shoppers stock up at one of DCH’s stores. The retailer was established in 1985 and provides frozen foods, seafood, meat and poultry, among other goods. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong society

My Take | Hong Kong is losing competitiveness to cities on the mainland

The danger Hong Kong faces is not that it might become ‘just another mainland city’, but that it is already subpar to many of its urban cousins across the border.

12 Mar 2024 - 9:00PM

Australia

More Australians turn to shoplifting groceries as food prices remain high

Food inflation and public furore over potential price gouging by Australia’s supermarket duopoly are pushing more people to shoplift groceries.

9 Feb 2024 - 6:06PM

Hong Kong economy

Letters | What Hong Kong can learn from child-friendly Shenzhen

Readers discuss the Shenzhen government’s intiatives to improve the city, and the effect of an influx of tourists on ordinary people’s lives.

6 Feb 2024 - 11:30AM

A boy plays chess with a robotic arm powered by artificial intelligence at a Sam’s Club in Qianhai, Shenzhen, on January 7. While Hongkongers are showing great interest in heading north to shop in megastores, Shenzhen also offers some lessons in urban planning. Photo: Eugene Lee

China's economic recovery

China’s rose-tinted growth scrutinised through jaundiced eyes of wary foreigners

Challenges related to national security, data flows and market barriers still dominate hearts and minds, fuelling doubts about increasing investments in China, as well as contemplations about exploring overseas opportunities.

29 Jan 2024 - 6:00AMvideocam

China’s boasting of its 2023 economic growth has been met with scepticism over whether it can hold up this year. Illustration: Henry Wong

Hong Kong economy

Businesses on Hong Kong side of border struggle amid dwindling mainland shoppers

Empty shops, measly sales leave shop owners hoping talks on visa scheme will bring back day trippers.

21 Jan 2024 - 8:30PM

Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Why Hongkongers should resist Costco FOMO

Fear of missing out on the latest trend or a great bargain may be motivating Hongkongers to make a beeline for big-box retailers across the border. However, the wider economic and environmental impact of this style of retailing deserves attention.

21 Jan 2024 - 4:30PMvideocam

SCMP Highlights

Bad luck in Year of the Dragon, Filipinos turn on comic Jo Koy: 5 weekend reads

From beating bad luck predictions for your Chinese zodiac animal to the Taiwan election, here are stories you may have missed over the weekend.

15 Jan 2024 - 12:49PM

Wong Tai Sin Temple in Hong Kong during the Lunar New Year holiday. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong Liberal Party’s departure tax proposal slammed as ‘insensitive’

Departure tax proposal ‘sends the wrong signal’ and will hit thousands of Hongkongers crossing border to shop, policy experts say.

14 Jan 2024 - 8:33PM

Hong Kong society

Costco crowds decrease, but Hongkongers still keen to bag bargains in Shenzhen

Post identifies cut-price foodstuffs as among most sought-after buys at new Shenzhen Costco bulk sales store.

14 Jan 2024 - 3:04PM

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong welcomed 34 million visitors in 2023, surpassing forecast

Dane Cheng, executive director of Tourism Board, reveals number of visitors in 2023 surpassed original forecast of 30 million.

13 Jan 2024 - 4:58PM

A view of Victoria Harbour from The Peak. About 4 million visitors came to Hong Kong in December last year. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Hong Kong economy

As Shenzhen megastores spark bulk-buying frenzy, can Hong Kong shops fight back?

High rent and labour costs make it hard for megastores to set up in Hong Kong without government help.

13 Jan 2024 - 8:30AM

Eager shoppers at Costco Wholesale’s new store in Shenzhen. Photo: Eugene Lee

Hong Kong society

Hongkongers queue for more than 2 hours as they flock to new Shenzhen Costco

‘To be honest, I was a little disappointed because the queue was really long and my shopping experience was not worth it,’ one says.

12 Jan 2024 - 9:03PM

Hong Kong economy

Hongkongers hunt for roast chicken, other bargains at US warehouse store in Shenzhen

Residents catch cross-border buses and sign up for shopping spree tours to visit Sam’s Club outlet in Qianhai, buoyed by bargain prices and strong Hong Kong dollar.

10 Jan 2024 - 12:17AMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Bulk buying megastores in Shenzhen may lure even more Hongkongers over border

Stores could further drain customers away from Hong Kong retailers and replicating the big box stores in city may be impossible, given land and logistics costs.

10 Jan 2024 - 12:19AMvideocam

Costco Wholesale’s new store in Shenzhen’s Longhua district opens next Friday. Photo: Longhua Government Online

Business of climate change

Exclusive | Top maker of Christmas trees to offer eco-friendly version from global factories

Polygroup, the biggest manufacturer of artificial Christmas trees in the world, sells to retailers and e-commerce companies in over 25 countries worldwide, helping eco-conscious customers avoid buying natural trees during the festive season.

23 Dec 2023 - 5:08PM

Elmer Cheng, CEO of Polygroup, photographed in Admiralty. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Food and Drinks

Mouthing Off | Souvenirs you can get your teeth into: why I love food shopping overseas

Visiting a country’s supermarkets and stores tell you a lot about its culture and how its citizens live. What’s more, you can compare prices with those back home and find tasty souvenirs.

20 Dec 2023 - 7:45AM

Food and Drinks

Mouthing Off | Are self-checkouts good or bad? Why we shouldn’t say goodbye to cashiers

Self-checkouts and self-ordering machines are everywhere in Hong Kong nowadays but come with their problems – and many people still prefer interaction with real human cashiers.

7 Dec 2023 - 7:45AM

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Costco

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Mouthing Off | How the World Cup has given tourists a new perspective on American food culture

Wide-eyed tourists have marvelled at everything from ranch to jumbo-sized Cheetos containers to gargantuan packs of supermarket meat.

Will K-pop give South Korean retailers an edge in China market?

China’s fast-changing consumers force MNCs to adapt via local alliances

US government appeals against judge’s order for Trump tariff refunds

The processing of repayments has already begun, but the appeal could affect the operation, with US$166 billion in revenue at stake.

Immigration slows, but America’s appetite for ethnic groceries keeps growing

Weee, now topping $1 billion in annualized revenue, says demand for Asian and Latino foods is spreading well beyond immigrant communities.

Trump lashes out at US Supreme Court, rolls out new 10% global tariffs

Decision threatens administration’s trade agenda; casts shadow on Xi-Trump summit as some China tariffs wiped out before Beijing talks.

Sam’s Club cracks China market formula even as foreign retailers shut shop

The warehouse retailer opened 10 new stores in 2025, accelerating expansion in smaller cities like Zhangjiagang and Yangzhou.

Flash in the pan: how China’s plant-based meat craze fizzled

The closure of Beyond Meat’s China business, despite heavy financing and marketing, underscores challenges that scuppered many vegan meat firms.

‘Never seen a single item sell like this’: Dubai chocolate craze takes over

From Walmart shelves to Costco cakes to croissants and pancakes, Dubai chocolate is turning up all over as brands get creative.

US bars Iran’s diplomats from shopping at Costco without government permission

The State Department’s directive requires Iranian envoys in New York to obtain approval to buy luxury goods at US wholesale retailers.

Hong Kong’s Dah Chong Hong Food Mart to shut stores after 39 years in business

Spokeswoman for food retailer confirms company closing down 28 stores across city.

My Take | Hong Kong is losing competitiveness to cities on the mainland

The danger Hong Kong faces is not that it might become ‘just another mainland city’, but that it is already subpar to many of its urban cousins across the border.

More Australians turn to shoplifting groceries as food prices remain high

Food inflation and public furore over potential price gouging by Australia’s supermarket duopoly are pushing more people to shoplift groceries.

Letters | What Hong Kong can learn from child-friendly Shenzhen

Readers discuss the Shenzhen government’s intiatives to improve the city, and the effect of an influx of tourists on ordinary people’s lives.

China’s rose-tinted growth scrutinised through jaundiced eyes of wary foreigners

Challenges related to national security, data flows and market barriers still dominate hearts and minds, fuelling doubts about increasing investments in China, as well as contemplations about exploring overseas opportunities.

Businesses on Hong Kong side of border struggle amid dwindling mainland shoppers

Empty shops, measly sales leave shop owners hoping talks on visa scheme will bring back day trippers.

Opinion | Why Hongkongers should resist Costco FOMO

Fear of missing out on the latest trend or a great bargain may be motivating Hongkongers to make a beeline for big-box retailers across the border. However, the wider economic and environmental impact of this style of retailing deserves attention.

Bad luck in Year of the Dragon, Filipinos turn on comic Jo Koy: 5 weekend reads

From beating bad luck predictions for your Chinese zodiac animal to the Taiwan election, here are stories you may have missed over the weekend.

Hong Kong Liberal Party’s departure tax proposal slammed as ‘insensitive’

Departure tax proposal ‘sends the wrong signal’ and will hit thousands of Hongkongers crossing border to shop, policy experts say.

Costco crowds decrease, but Hongkongers still keen to bag bargains in Shenzhen

Post identifies cut-price foodstuffs as among most sought-after buys at new Shenzhen Costco bulk sales store.

Hong Kong welcomed 34 million visitors in 2023, surpassing forecast

Dane Cheng, executive director of Tourism Board, reveals number of visitors in 2023 surpassed original forecast of 30 million.

As Shenzhen megastores spark bulk-buying frenzy, can Hong Kong shops fight back?

High rent and labour costs make it hard for megastores to set up in Hong Kong without government help.

Hongkongers queue for more than 2 hours as they flock to new Shenzhen Costco

‘To be honest, I was a little disappointed because the queue was really long and my shopping experience was not worth it,’ one says.

Hongkongers hunt for roast chicken, other bargains at US warehouse store in Shenzhen

Residents catch cross-border buses and sign up for shopping spree tours to visit Sam’s Club outlet in Qianhai, buoyed by bargain prices and strong Hong Kong dollar.

Bulk buying megastores in Shenzhen may lure even more Hongkongers over border

Stores could further drain customers away from Hong Kong retailers and replicating the big box stores in city may be impossible, given land and logistics costs.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | Top maker of Christmas trees to offer eco-friendly version from global factories

Polygroup, the biggest manufacturer of artificial Christmas trees in the world, sells to retailers and e-commerce companies in over 25 countries worldwide, helping eco-conscious customers avoid buying natural trees during the festive season.

Mouthing Off | Souvenirs you can get your teeth into: why I love food shopping overseas

Visiting a country’s supermarkets and stores tell you a lot about its culture and how its citizens live. What’s more, you can compare prices with those back home and find tasty souvenirs.

Mouthing Off | Are self-checkouts good or bad? Why we shouldn’t say goodbye to cashiers

Self-checkouts and self-ordering machines are everywhere in Hong Kong nowadays but come with their problems – and many people still prefer interaction with real human cashiers.

Mouthing Off | How the World Cup has given tourists a new perspective on American food culture

Exclusive | Top maker of Christmas trees to offer eco-friendly version from global factories