Key Points
- It seems likely that Costco will open six new stores in the US in March 2025, with locations in Brentwood and Highlands, California; Sharon, Massachusetts; Genesee County, Michigan; and Prosper and Weatherford, Texas.
- Research suggests the expansion is driven by soaring demand, with Costco reporting a 7% membership growth to over 136 million globally in 2024 and a 9.1% increase in net sales to $62.53 billion in Q2 2025.
- The evidence leans toward Costco planning 29 new warehouses for fiscal year 2025, including international sites, to meet growing consumer needs.
Store Openings and Locations
Costco is set to expand its footprint with six new stores opening in March 2025 across the US. The confirmed locations are Brentwood and Highlands, California; Sharon, Massachusetts; Genesee County, Michigan; and Prosper and Weatherford, Texas. Additionally, a store in Stuart, Florida, is scheduled for April 25, 2025, with Sharon, Massachusetts, opening on March 1, 2025. Exact dates for other locations are pending, but all are expected in March.
Driving Factors
The expansion appears to be a response to strong consumer demand, evidenced by Costco’s recent financial performance. In 2024, membership grew by 7% to over 136 million globally, and in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 (ending February 2025), net sales rose 9.1% to $62.53 billion, with e-commerce sales up 20.9%. This growth suggests consumers are increasingly turning to Costco for value, especially amid economic uncertainty.
Broader Expansion Plans
Costco’s strategy includes opening 29 new warehouses in fiscal 2025, with 26 new constructions and three relocations, extending beyond the US to international markets. This aligns with CEO Ron Vachris’s comments on targeting new and existing markets to enhance accessibility and value.
Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Costco’s Spring Expansion
Costco, the membership-based warehouse giant, is embarking on a significant expansion in spring 2025, with plans to open new stores across the United States, driven by robust consumer demand and a strategic growth agenda. This report delves into the specifics of the expansion, the underlying factors, and the broader implications for the company and its members, based on recent data and announcements as of March 11, 2025.
Expansion Details: New Store Openings
The company has confirmed the opening of six new stores in March 2025, located in Brentwood and Highlands, California; Sharon, Massachusetts; Genesee County, Michigan; and Prosper and Weatherford, Texas. These locations were detailed in recent news reports, such as ABC News and Fox Business, which align with the company’s fiscal year 2025 expansion plans. Additionally, a store in Stuart, Florida, is set for April 25, 2025, and Sharon, Massachusetts, has a confirmed opening date of March 1, 2025, as reported by USA Today. Exact opening dates for the remaining locations are yet to be announced but are anticipated within March.
This expansion is part of a larger strategy to open 29 new warehouses by August 31, 2025, comprising 26 new constructions and three relocations, as noted in RetailWire. Of these, 10 are planned outside the US, reflecting Costco’s global growth ambitions, according to EatThis.com.
Driving Demand: Membership and Sales Growth
The “soaring demand” mentioned in the expansion title is supported by Costco’s recent financial and membership metrics. As of 2024, Costco boasted over 136.8 million members globally, a 6.96% increase from 2023, according to Contimod. This growth is further evidenced by a 92.7% renewal rate in the US and a customer satisfaction rating of 81 in 2025, up from 85 in 2024, per the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), as reported in the same source.
Financially, Costco’s performance in the second quarter of fiscal 2025, ending February 2025, showed net sales of $62.53 billion, a 9.1% increase year-over-year, with earnings per share at $4.02, as detailed in CNBC. E-commerce sales surged by 20.9%, and comparable sales rose 6.8%, indicating strong consumer engagement. Earlier, in the first quarter ending November 2024, net sales were $60.99 billion, up 7.5%, with a net income of $1.798 billion, or $4.04 per diluted share, as per Costco Investor Relations.
This demand is driven by Costco’s value proposition, offering bulk items at competitive prices, which has resonated with consumers amid rising grocery prices. The company’s membership fee revenue also saw a 7.6% increase to $1.17 billion in the first quarter, following a fee hike from $60 to $65 for Gold Star memberships and $120 to $130 for Executive memberships, as noted in USA Today.
Strategic Context: CEO Insights and Expansion Philosophy
CEO Ron Vachris has emphasized the company’s commitment to growth, stating in an earnings call that Costco is eyeing new markets and aiming to enhance its presence in North American areas, as reported in EatThis.com. This aligns with historical statements from former CEO Craig Jelinek, who viewed Costco as a “growth company,” as mentioned in Costco Connection. The company’s international division executive, Pierre Riel, highlighted that expansion brings value to communities by creating jobs and helping members save, a philosophy that continues to guide Costco’s strategy.
The Pleasanton, California, store opening in November 2024, which set a record for highest-ever first-day sales at $2.9 million, underscores the demand, as noted in RetailWire. This success likely fuels the decision to open additional stores in California and other high-demand areas.
Implications for Customers and Communities
The new stores will offer members easier access to Costco’s offerings, including bulk goods, affordable gas stations, and food court options, enhancing convenience and savings. For communities, these openings are expected to create jobs and stimulate local economies, as seen with the $25,000 donation to park development projects in Mundy Township, Michigan, reported in FinanceBuzz. The expansion also caters to the trend of consumers prioritizing deals and value, with sales of lower-cost proteins like ground beef and poultry growing, as mentioned in ABC News.
Comparative Analysis: Membership and Revenue Trends
To provide context, the following table summarizes Costco’s membership and revenue growth over recent years, based on available data:
| Year | Global Members (Millions) | Membership Growth (%) | Annual Revenue ($B) | Revenue Growth (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 128.0 | 6.96 | 242.29 | 6.76 |
| 2024 | 136.8 | 7.00 | 254.453 | 5.02 |
Source: Contimod, MacroTrends
This table highlights the steady growth, supporting the narrative of soaring demand driving the expansion.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
Costco’s spring 2025 expansion, with six new US stores and additional international openings, reflects its response to robust membership and sales growth. As the company continues to prioritize value and accessibility, members can expect more opportunities to benefit from Costco’s offerings, while communities gain economic boosts. The exact impact on local markets and consumer behavior will unfold as these stores open, but the data suggests a positive trajectory for both Costco and its members.
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