874 stores
market value = $325 billion; P/E = 45
gross margin = 13%
limits markups to 14% on branded goods and to 15% on Kirkland products
73 million households are members
co-founder and longtime CEO Jim Sinegal
Craig Jelinik is successor to Jim Sinegal
new CEO, Ron Vachris
Richard Galanti - long time CFO
Costco opened its own hot-dog plant that makes 300 million franks a year
Costco owns most of its real estate and maintains a strong balance sheet with more cash than debt.
pays $29 an hour while rivals pay around $20.
average employee has been with Costco about 10 years
veteran cashiers can make over $30 an hour plus get a 9% contribution from the company to their 401(k) plan
employees pay ~10% of the cost of healthcare plan vs industry average of 20%