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Costco Wholesale Corporation · COST

How Costco makes money

Costco brought in $303 billion in revenue in the year ended August 30, 2026 and kept $9.2 billion as profit: $3.04 of every $100. Its biggest source of money was Food and sundries, at $117 billion (39% of the total).

From Costco's Form 10-K for the year ended August 30, 2026. Page updated November 8, 2026.

Revenue$303 billionFY ended August 30, 2026
Operating profit$11.7 billion3.9% of revenue
Net profit$9.2 billion$3.04 of every $100
Employees355,000$853,955 revenue each

Out of every $100 Costco took in, it kept

$3.04profit
$0$100 in sales

Where Costco's money comes from. 5 lines in its 10‑K.

Food and sundriesPackaged food, drinks, snacks, cleaning$117B39% of total
Non-foodsElectronics, appliances, clothes, furniture$77.4B26% of total
Gas, pharmacy and otherGas stations, pharmacy, optical, travel$61.4B20% of total
Fresh foodMeat, produce, bakery, deli$41.7B14% of total
Membership feesGold Star and Executive memberships$5.9B2% of total

6 years of Costco's revenue and profit.

2021$5.0B2022$5.8B2023$6.3B2024$7.4B2025$8.1B2026$9.2B
Revenue (on top of each bar)Net profit (under each year)

Fiscal years as Costco reports them; the latest ended August 30, 2026. Profit is net income.

How Costco makes money

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How Costco makes money

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Quick answers about Costco.

How does Costco make money?

Costco sells goods at thin margins and makes much of its profit from membership fees. The biggest line in its latest 10-K is Food and sundries ($117 billion).

How much money does Costco make a year?

$303 billion in revenue in the year ended August 30, 2026, and $9.2 billion in net profit. That's up 10% from the year before.

Is Costco profitable?

Yes. Costco made $9.2 billion in net profit in the year ended August 30, 2026, which is $3.04 of every $100 it took in.

How many employees does Costco have?

About 355,000 employees as of the end of fiscal 2026. That works out to $853,955 in revenue per employee.

Is Costco growing?

Yes. Revenue went from $196 billion in 2021 to $303 billion in 2026, up 55%.

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Source: Costco Wholesale Corporation, annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 30, 2026, filed with the SEC on October 7, 2026.

Revenue, profit and the breakdowns are the numbers the company reported in that filing (its XBRL data). Profit means net income; "operating profit" means operating income. Nothing on this page is estimated.