Portland, Maine – While Costco has expanded its presence with over 600 warehouses in the U.S. and more than 270 worldwide, there are still three states without a location of the popular membership-only chain. Rhode Island, West Virginia, and Wyoming remain without a Costco, according to the company’s nationwide warehouse list.
Recently, Maine was also on the list of states without a Costco, but that changed when a location opened outside Portland, offering residents access to the store’s renowned $4.99 rotisserie chicken and $1.50 hot dog deals. Plans for a Rhode Island location have been in discussion, with reports indicating that several communities were vying for the wholesale chain’s attention as recently as February.
Population size appears to be a major factor in determining where Costco establishes new stores, according to Food Republic. The company’s decision is influenced not only by population but also factors like employment rates, median household income, and projected population growth near potential warehouse locations.
Despite the absence of locations in three states, Costco has reported an increase in total membership during its recent earnings call. The company noted a 7.3% increase in the number of cardholders compared to the previous year, reaching a total of 132 million by the end of the second quarter.
In the second quarter, Costco generated $1.1 billion from membership fees, marking an 8% increase from the same period the previous year. The company fell slightly below analysts’ expectations, reporting $58.44 billion in second-quarter revenue.
Costco’s first location opened in 1976 as Price Club in San Diego, followed by the debut of the first Costco warehouse in Seattle in 1983. The chain’s growth and popularity are evident in its expanding footprint across the globe.