Costco's Success in Japan: A Retail Triumph
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 15 hours ago
0mins
Should l Buy COST?
Source: Yahoo Finance
- Market Adaptation Strategy: Costco's success in Japan is not merely a case of Americanization but rather a gradual adaptation of its membership model to fit Japan's tighter real estate and stricter retail regulations, effectively penetrating this challenging market.
- Consumer Preference Alignment: By retaining enough imported goods to maintain an American feel while catering to Japanese consumer tastes, the company demonstrates its flexible market strategy and respect for local culture.
- Competitive Advantage: Costco's triumph stands in stark contrast to rivals like Walmart, Carrefour, and Tesco, highlighting its unique business model that allows it to thrive in a market that has previously humbled many foreign retailers.
- Long-term Growth Potential: The success in Japan not only provides valuable insights for Costco's global expansion but also lays the groundwork for future entries into similar markets, showcasing its sustained growth potential.
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Analyst Views on COST
Wall Street analysts forecast COST stock price to rise
24 Analyst Rating
19 Buy
4 Hold
1 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 1032.030
Low
769.00
Averages
1061
High
1205
Current: 1032.030
Low
769.00
Averages
1061
High
1205
About COST
Costco Wholesale Corporation (Costco) operates membership warehouses and e-commerce sites that offer a selection of nationally branded and private-label products in a wide range of categories. The Company buys the majority of its merchandise directly from suppliers and route it to cross-docking consolidation points (depots) or directly to its warehouses. It operates 891 warehouses, including 614 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 108 in Canada, 40 in Mexico, 35 in Japan, 29 in the United Kingdom, 19 in Korea, 15 in Australia, 14 in Taiwan, seven in China, five in Spain, two in France, and one each in Iceland, New Zealand and Sweden. It also operates e-commerce sites in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Australia. The Company provides wide selection of merchandise, plus the convenience of specialty departments and exclusive member services.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Costco's Steady Profit Growth Explained
- Steady Profit Growth: Costco's diluted earnings per share (EPS) increased at a compound annual growth rate of 13% from fiscal 2015 to fiscal 2025, demonstrating its strong profitability and market adaptability.
- Strong Market Position: As of Q2 2026, Costco reported net sales of $68 billion, making it the third-largest retailer globally, and its limited stock-keeping units enhance its negotiating power with suppliers, keeping costs low.
- High Customer Loyalty: With a renewal rate of 92.1% in the U.S. and Canada, Costco effectively attracts and retains customers through low prices, a no-frills shopping environment, and quality merchandise, driving sales growth.
- Significant Valuation Pressure: Despite a strong start in 2026 with a 17% stock price increase, Costco's price-to-earnings ratio stands at 52.9, reflecting market optimism about its future, prompting investors to be cautious and wait for a more reasonable entry point.
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Costco Raises Membership Fees for First Time in Seven Years
- Membership Fee Increase: Costco raised its membership fee from $120 to $130 in 2024, marking the first increase in seven years, reflecting the company's confidence in its brand and customer loyalty, with potential for further fee hikes to drive profit growth.
- Sales Revenue Analysis: For the first 24 weeks of fiscal year 2026, Costco generated $134.2 billion in net sales, with only $15 billion in operating income after deducting merchandise costs, indicating fierce competition in retail and tight profit margins.
- Membership Fee Contribution: During the same period, Costco's membership fee revenue reached $2.68 billion, nearly all of which is profit, pushing total operating income to over $5 billion, highlighting the critical role of membership fees in the company's financials and ensuring profitability.
- Stable Renewal Rates: Management reported a 92.1% renewal rate for U.S. and Canadian members, down just 0.1%, with the 2024 price increase accounting for one-third of membership fee growth, demonstrating strong brand power and customer loyalty, suggesting potential for accelerated fee growth in the future.
See More
Costco, Intuitive Surgical, and Visa Show Strong Growth Potential
- Costco's Investment Returns: Over the past decade, Costco's stock has generated total returns exceeding 671%, significantly outpacing the S&P 500's 281%, indicating that a $10,000 investment in 2016 has grown to over $77,100, showcasing its strong performance in the consumer staples sector.
- Intuitive Surgical's Market Potential: Intuitive Surgical's da Vinci robotic surgery systems support over 3 million surgeries annually, and despite facing short-term challenges like cybersecurity incidents, the company's market penetration remains low, suggesting substantial growth potential with expected returns of over 250% in the next decade.
- Visa's Growth Trend: Since 2016, Visa's stock has delivered total returns of 316%, slightly above the S&P 500, but its core position in the global digital payment trend remains strong, particularly in underpenetrated markets like Africa and Latin America.
- Attractive Dividend Growth: Both Costco and Visa exhibit impressive dividend growth, with Costco averaging nearly 13% annual dividend growth over the past five years, while Visa has raised its dividend for 18 consecutive years, averaging nearly 15% growth, providing investors with a stable return source.
See More
Three Stocks Expected to Outperform the Market
- Costco's Strong Returns: Over the past decade, Costco's stock has generated total returns exceeding 671%, significantly outpacing the S&P 500's 281%, indicating that its competitive advantage in consumer staples will continue to drive stock price growth.
- Intuitive Surgical's Market Potential: Intuitive Surgical's da Vinci systems support over 3 million surgeries annually, and despite facing short-term pressures from cybersecurity incidents, its market penetration still has substantial room for growth, with expected annual earnings growth of 12% to 14% over the next decade.
- Visa's Digital Payment Trend: Visa has generated total returns of 316% since 2016, and while concerns about stablecoin competition exist, the ongoing trend of digital payment adoption globally, especially in emerging markets like Africa and Latin America, is expected to provide long-term growth opportunities.
- Dividend Growth Stability: Both Costco and Visa exhibit strong dividend growth, with Costco averaging nearly 13% annual growth over the past five years, while Visa has raised its dividend for 18 consecutive years with an average growth rate of nearly 15%, further enhancing investor confidence.
See More
Costco's Success in Japan: A Retail Triumph
- Market Adaptation Strategy: Costco's success in Japan is not merely a case of Americanization but rather a gradual adaptation of its membership model to fit Japan's tighter real estate and stricter retail regulations, effectively penetrating this challenging market.
- Consumer Preference Alignment: By retaining enough imported goods to maintain an American feel while catering to Japanese consumer tastes, the company demonstrates its flexible market strategy and respect for local culture.
- Competitive Advantage: Costco's triumph stands in stark contrast to rivals like Walmart, Carrefour, and Tesco, highlighting its unique business model that allows it to thrive in a market that has previously humbled many foreign retailers.
- Long-term Growth Potential: The success in Japan not only provides valuable insights for Costco's global expansion but also lays the groundwork for future entries into similar markets, showcasing its sustained growth potential.
See More
Rising Gas Prices in the U.S. Prompt Significant Consumer Behavior Changes
- Rising Gas Price Trend: As of April 9, the national average gas price in the U.S. reached $4.16 per gallon, an 8-cent increase from the previous week, marking the highest level since August 2022, indicating the ongoing impact of geopolitical tensions on oil markets.
- Consumer Spending Changes: According to a LendingTree survey, 31% of Americans have altered their spending or saving habits due to rising gas prices, while 35% indicated they would do so if prices remain high, highlighting the increasing financial pressure on households from elevated fuel costs.
- Costco Membership Benefits: Costco members can save an average of 20 cents per gallon on gas, and although the membership costs $65, for those driving an average of 7,800 miles per year, the savings on fuel can offset the membership fee, demonstrating its economic advantage.
- Shifts in Consumer Behavior: A significant 62% of Americans believe that if gas prices remain high for over a month, it will significantly impact their personal finances, with 51% of consumers reporting they have filled up their tanks earlier due to rising prices, reflecting heightened consumer awareness of potential price fluctuations.
See More
Costco's Steady Profit Growth Explained
- Steady Profit Growth: Costco's diluted earnings per share (EPS) increased at a compound annual growth rate of 13% from fiscal 2015 to fiscal 2025, demonstrating its strong profitability and market adaptability.
- Strong Market Position: As of Q2 2026, Costco reported net sales of $68 billion, making it the third-largest retailer globally, and its limited stock-keeping units enhance its negotiating power with suppliers, keeping costs low.
- High Customer Loyalty: With a renewal rate of 92.1% in the U.S. and Canada, Costco effectively attracts and retains customers through low prices, a no-frills shopping environment, and quality merchandise, driving sales growth.
- Significant Valuation Pressure: Despite a strong start in 2026 with a 17% stock price increase, Costco's price-to-earnings ratio stands at 52.9, reflecting market optimism about its future, prompting investors to be cautious and wait for a more reasonable entry point.
See More
Costco Raises Membership Fees for First Time in Seven Years
- Membership Fee Increase: Costco raised its membership fee from $120 to $130 in 2024, marking the first increase in seven years, reflecting the company's confidence in its brand and customer loyalty, with potential for further fee hikes to drive profit growth.
- Sales Revenue Analysis: For the first 24 weeks of fiscal year 2026, Costco generated $134.2 billion in net sales, with only $15 billion in operating income after deducting merchandise costs, indicating fierce competition in retail and tight profit margins.
- Membership Fee Contribution: During the same period, Costco's membership fee revenue reached $2.68 billion, nearly all of which is profit, pushing total operating income to over $5 billion, highlighting the critical role of membership fees in the company's financials and ensuring profitability.
- Stable Renewal Rates: Management reported a 92.1% renewal rate for U.S. and Canadian members, down just 0.1%, with the 2024 price increase accounting for one-third of membership fee growth, demonstrating strong brand power and customer loyalty, suggesting potential for accelerated fee growth in the future.
See More
Costco, Intuitive Surgical, and Visa Show Strong Growth Potential
- Costco's Investment Returns: Over the past decade, Costco's stock has generated total returns exceeding 671%, significantly outpacing the S&P 500's 281%, indicating that a $10,000 investment in 2016 has grown to over $77,100, showcasing its strong performance in the consumer staples sector.
- Intuitive Surgical's Market Potential: Intuitive Surgical's da Vinci robotic surgery systems support over 3 million surgeries annually, and despite facing short-term challenges like cybersecurity incidents, the company's market penetration remains low, suggesting substantial growth potential with expected returns of over 250% in the next decade.
- Visa's Growth Trend: Since 2016, Visa's stock has delivered total returns of 316%, slightly above the S&P 500, but its core position in the global digital payment trend remains strong, particularly in underpenetrated markets like Africa and Latin America.
- Attractive Dividend Growth: Both Costco and Visa exhibit impressive dividend growth, with Costco averaging nearly 13% annual dividend growth over the past five years, while Visa has raised its dividend for 18 consecutive years, averaging nearly 15% growth, providing investors with a stable return source.
See More
Three Stocks Expected to Outperform the Market
- Costco's Strong Returns: Over the past decade, Costco's stock has generated total returns exceeding 671%, significantly outpacing the S&P 500's 281%, indicating that its competitive advantage in consumer staples will continue to drive stock price growth.
- Intuitive Surgical's Market Potential: Intuitive Surgical's da Vinci systems support over 3 million surgeries annually, and despite facing short-term pressures from cybersecurity incidents, its market penetration still has substantial room for growth, with expected annual earnings growth of 12% to 14% over the next decade.
- Visa's Digital Payment Trend: Visa has generated total returns of 316% since 2016, and while concerns about stablecoin competition exist, the ongoing trend of digital payment adoption globally, especially in emerging markets like Africa and Latin America, is expected to provide long-term growth opportunities.
- Dividend Growth Stability: Both Costco and Visa exhibit strong dividend growth, with Costco averaging nearly 13% annual growth over the past five years, while Visa has raised its dividend for 18 consecutive years with an average growth rate of nearly 15%, further enhancing investor confidence.
See More
Costco's Success in Japan: A Retail Triumph
- Market Adaptation Strategy: Costco's success in Japan is not merely a case of Americanization but rather a gradual adaptation of its membership model to fit Japan's tighter real estate and stricter retail regulations, effectively penetrating this challenging market.
- Consumer Preference Alignment: By retaining enough imported goods to maintain an American feel while catering to Japanese consumer tastes, the company demonstrates its flexible market strategy and respect for local culture.
- Competitive Advantage: Costco's triumph stands in stark contrast to rivals like Walmart, Carrefour, and Tesco, highlighting its unique business model that allows it to thrive in a market that has previously humbled many foreign retailers.
- Long-term Growth Potential: The success in Japan not only provides valuable insights for Costco's global expansion but also lays the groundwork for future entries into similar markets, showcasing its sustained growth potential.
See More
Rising Gas Prices in the U.S. Prompt Significant Consumer Behavior Changes
- Rising Gas Price Trend: As of April 9, the national average gas price in the U.S. reached $4.16 per gallon, an 8-cent increase from the previous week, marking the highest level since August 2022, indicating the ongoing impact of geopolitical tensions on oil markets.
- Consumer Spending Changes: According to a LendingTree survey, 31% of Americans have altered their spending or saving habits due to rising gas prices, while 35% indicated they would do so if prices remain high, highlighting the increasing financial pressure on households from elevated fuel costs.
- Costco Membership Benefits: Costco members can save an average of 20 cents per gallon on gas, and although the membership costs $65, for those driving an average of 7,800 miles per year, the savings on fuel can offset the membership fee, demonstrating its economic advantage.
- Shifts in Consumer Behavior: A significant 62% of Americans believe that if gas prices remain high for over a month, it will significantly impact their personal finances, with 51% of consumers reporting they have filled up their tanks earlier due to rising prices, reflecting heightened consumer awareness of potential price fluctuations.
See More
