Magi Astrology--Financial Astrology

FINANCIAL ASTROLOGY

First Trade Date for Costco Wholesale Corp.

Company Name	First Trade Date (yyyy-mm-dd)
Costco Wholesale Corp.	1993-10-22

Company Name	Symbol
Costco Wholesale Corp.	COST
History and Business of Company (this information may include date of incorporation)
Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST) began the I can get it for you wholesale membership warehouse concept in 1976 in San Diego, CA when it was then known as The Price Co. In 1993, Price Co. merged with Costco Wholesale Corp. of Seattle, WA, creating a $15 billion company with more than 200 membership warehouses in the U.S. and Canada. In 1994, the company spun off to shareholders Price Enterprises, Inc., consisting of commercial real estate operations and certain other assets. As of Sept. 3, 2000, COST operated 313 warehouses in the U.S. (237), Canada (59), the U.K. (10), Korea (3), Taiwan (3) and Japan, and through a 50% owned joint venture, operated 18 warehouses in Mexico. The company also operates Costco Online, an electronic commerce web site, at www.costco.com. Low prices on a limited selection of national brand merchandise and selected private-label products in a wide range of merchandise categories produce high sales volume and rapid inventory turnover. Rapid inventory turnover, combined with operating efficiencies achieved by volume purchasing in a no-frills, self-service warehouse facility, enables the company to operate profitably at significantly lower gross margins than traditional retailers and even discounters and supermarkets. COST buys virtually all of its merchandise directly from manufacturers for shipment either directly to the warehouse clubs or to a consolidation point (depot) where shipments are combined so as to minimize freight and handling costs. The company has two primary types of membership: Business and Gold Star (individual) members. Businesses (including individuals) with a resale or business license may become Business members by paying an annual $45 fee (4.2 million memberships as of Sept. 3, 2000), with add-on membership cards available for an annual fee of $35 (including a free spouse card). Gold Star membership is $45 annually (10.5 million memberships). COST offers an Executive membership to both Business and Gold Star members. COST'S typical warehouse format averages approximately 132,000 square feet. Floor plans are designed for economy and efficiency in the use of selling space, in the handling of merchandise and in the control of inventory. The company seeks to limit specific items in each product line to fast selling models, sizes and colors, as a result, COST carries only an average of about 3,600 to 4,400 stockkeeping units (SKUs) per warehouse. Many products are offered for sale in case, carton or multiple-pack quantities only. INCORPORATED in Washington as successor to the Costco Companies, a Delaware Corp. formed to acquire on Oct. 21, 1993, all shares of Price Co. on the basis of 2.13 Common shares of the company for each Price Co. Common share; and of Costco Wholesale Corp. on a share-for-share basis. Name changed from Price/Costco, Inc. to Costco Companies, Inc. Feb. 6, 1997; and to its present title Aug. 30, 1999. Price Co. was incorporated in California Feb. 13, 1976. Costco Wholesale Corp. was incorporated in California May 12, 1987, to succeed a business originating in 1983. OFFICE- 999 Lake Drive, Issaquah, WA 98027 (Tel.: 425-313-8100). WEBSITE- http://www.costco.com.

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