Costco Wholesale
28 named things its latest annual report says its results depend on, each in the company's own words. 23 of them are also named by other companies we've read.
Suppliers
Third-party payment processors
depends onnamed as a riskWe rely on third parties to provide payment transaction processing services for credit and debit cards and our shop card.Risk factors (Item 1A)
Logistics providers
depends onnamed as a riskOur e-commerce operations depend heavily on logistics providers, both internal and external, and are negatively affected when services are unable to be provided in a timely fashion.Risk factors (Item 1A)
Other companies
U.S. dollar merchandise purchases by international subsidiaries
exposed to its price · approximately $117named as a riskA hypothetical 10% strengthening of the functional currencies compared to the non-functional currency exchange rates at August 31, 2025, would have decreased the fair value of the contracts by approximately $117 and resulted in an unrealized loss in the consolidated statements of income for the same amount.Market risk (Item 7A)
Kirkland Signature
earns fromnamed as a riskIf the Kirkland Signature brand experiences a loss of member acceptance or confidence, our sales and gross margin results could be adversely affected.Risk factors (Item 1A)
Competitors
Amazon
competes withWalmart, Target, Kroger, and Amazon are among our significant general merchandise retail competitors in the U.S.Business (Item 1)
Also named by AES, AFRM, ALK, AOS, APP, AXP, BBW, CART and 10 more
Walmart
competes withWalmart, Target, Kroger, and Amazon are among our significant general merchandise retail competitors in the U.S.Business (Item 1)
Also named by AIOT, BRK/B, CART, DG, DGX, EEFT, FDX, KDP and 6 more
Target
competes withWalmart, Target, Kroger, and Amazon are among our significant general merchandise retail competitors in the U.S.Business (Item 1)
Kroger
competes withWalmart, Target, Kroger, and Amazon are among our significant general merchandise retail competitors in the U.S.Business (Item 1)
Sam's Club
competes withWe also compete with other warehouse clubs, including Walmart’s Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale Club in the U.S.Business (Item 1)
BJ's Wholesale Club
competes withWe also compete with other warehouse clubs, including Walmart’s Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale Club in the U.S.Business (Item 1)
Also named by O
Places
California
concentrated in · 26% of U.S. net sales in 2025named as a riskWithin the U.S., we are highly dependent on our California operations, which comprised 26% of U.S. net sales in 2025.Risk factors (Item 1A)
Also named by A, AAON, AFRM, ALK, ALLY, AN, ARE, AVAV and 88 more
International operations (including Canada)
operates in · 27% and 34% of our net sales and operating incomenamed as a riskDuring 2025, our international operations, including Canada, generated 27% and 34% of our net sales and operating income.Risk factors (Item 1A)
Also named by APG, AXP, CARR, COP, DD, ECL, EQIX, FIS and 14 more
United States and Canada
concentrated in · 86% and 84% of net sales and operating income in 2025named as a riskOur financial and operational performance is highly dependent on our U.S. and Canadian operations, which comprised 86% and 84% of net sales and operating income in 2025.Risk factors (Item 1A)
Warehouses outside the U.S.
operates in · 285 warehouses outside of the U.S. (31% of all warehouse locations)named as a riskAt the end of 2025, we operated 285 warehouses outside of the U.S. (31% of all warehouse locations), and we plan to continue expanding our international operations.Risk factors (Item 1A)
Washington
concentrated innamed as a riskNatural disasters, extreme weather conditions, and other catastrophic events, including those impacted by climate change, such as extreme temperatures, hurricanes, typhoons, floods, earthquakes, wildfires, droughts; acts of terrorism or violence, including active shooter situations; and energy shortages; particularly in California or Washington state, where our centralized operating systems and administrative personnel are located, could negatively affect our operations and financial performance.Risk factors (Item 1A)
Hazards
Earthquakes
concentrated innamed as a riskNatural disasters, extreme weather conditions, and other catastrophic events, including those impacted by climate change, such as extreme temperatures, hurricanes, typhoons, floods, earthquakes, wildfires, droughts; acts of terrorism or violence, including active shooter situations; and energy shortages; particularly in California or Washington state, where our centralized operating systems and administrative personnel are located, could negatively affect our operations and financial performance.Risk factors (Item 1A)
Also named by AAPL, AMKR, AN, ANET, APP, BRO, CDNS, CEG and 37 more
Wildfires
concentrated innamed as a riskNatural disasters, extreme weather conditions, and other catastrophic events, including those impacted by climate change, such as extreme temperatures, hurricanes, typhoons, floods, earthquakes, wildfires, droughts; acts of terrorism or violence, including active shooter situations; and energy shortages; particularly in California or Washington state, where our centralized operating systems and administrative personnel are located, could negatively affect our operations and financial performance.Risk factors (Item 1A)
Also named by AAON, AMRC, AZO, BRK/B, CCI, CDNS, CINF, CNP and 17 more
Commodities and inputs
Gasoline
earns from · approximately 10% of total net sales in 2025named as a riskOur gasoline business represented approximately 10% of total net sales in 2025.Business (Item 1)
Also named by ADM, APG, BJ, CART, DRVN, EME, FIX, GPC and 2 more
Natural gas
exposed to its pricenamed as a riskWe are exposed to fluctuations in prices for energy, particularly electricity and natural gas, and other commodities used in retail and manufacturing operations.Market risk (Item 7A)
Also named by AA, ADM, AEE, AEP, AES, AESI, AGX, ALB and 132 more
Laws and programs
Executive membership
earns from · approximately 73.6% of worldwide net sales in 2025The sales penetration of Executive members represented approximately 73.6% of worldwide net sales in 2025.Business (Item 1)
Tariffs
subject tonamed as a riskHigher tariffs could adversely impact our results.Risk factors (Item 1A)
Also named by A, AAPL, ACHR, ADI, AEHR, AEP, AIOT, AKAM and 170 more
California Consumer Privacy Act
subject tonamed as a riskIn addition, data we collect, store and process is subject to a variety of U.S. and international laws and regulations (such as the European Union General Data Protection Regulation, California Consumer Privacy Act, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, and China's Personal Information Protection Act), evolving rules concerning artificial intelligence, and other privacy and cybersecurity laws and restrictions on use of member information that may also impair our ability to utilize data, consistent with member consents and preferences, which may carry significant potential penalties for noncompliance.Risk factors (Item 1A)
Also named by AAP, AIOT, AKAM, ALL, APP, AYI, BAC, BBSI and 69 more
Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)
subject tonamed as a riskFor example, we are subject to Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards, which contain compliance guidelines and standards with regard to our security surrounding the physical and electronic storage, processing and transmission of individual cardholder data.Risk factors (Item 1A)
Also named by ABNB, AZO, BJ, BKNG, CASH, CASY, DOV, EBAY and 20 more
Extended producer responsibility laws
subject tonamed as a riskFor example, multiple states are implementing extended producer responsibility laws that will require us to enact policies and processes and will increase expenses in the form of fees paid to the state governments, else be subject to fines and penalties, among other effects.Risk factors (Item 1A)
Greenhouse gas emissions regulation
subject tonamed as a riskGovernment regulations limiting carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental restrictions may increase compliance, operations, and merchandise costs, and other regulations affecting energy inputs could materially affect our profitability.Risk factors (Item 1A)