COST · 10-Q · 2026Q2 · Full report

Loyalty Program Growth

COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP /NEW · 2026-06-03 · Importance 48 · Surprise 40 · In source text

Membership fee revenue increased 11% in the third quarter to $1,373 and 13% year-to-date to $4,057, driven by new member sign-ups, membership fee increases and upgrades to Executive Membership. Total paid members increased to 82,900,000 from 79,600,000 at the end of the comparable prior period, and total cardholders rose to 148,500,000 from 142,800,000. Worldwide renewal rates were 92.2% in the U.S. and Canada and 89.7% worldwide at the end of the third quarter; renewal rate pressure was noted from a higher penetration of memberships sold online. The filing states the fee income increase accounted for approximately 25% of membership income growth in the quarter and 35% year-to-date, and prior U.S./Canada fee increases became effective September 1, 2024.

Key facts

• Total paid members at the end of the third quarter of 2026 were 82,900 (000s). source
• Total cardholders at the end of the third quarter of 2026 were 148,500 (000s). source
• Membership fees for the 36 weeks ended May 10, 2026 were $4,057, up from $3,599 in the prior year period. source
• Membership fee revenue increased 11% to $1,373 in the third quarter of 2026. source
• Our worldwide renewal rate at the end of the third quarter of 2026 was 89.7% and renewal rates were 92.2% in the U.S. and Canada. source
• The fee income increase accounted for approximately 25% of membership income growth in the third quarter and 35% in the first thirty-six weeks of 2026. source
• We increased our annual membership fees in the U.S. and Canada effective September 1, 2024. source

Impact estimates